GLOBAL WARMING

Do not underestimate the threat: top scientists

We are concerned the 2015 Intergenerational Report underestimates the serious threat of global warming. Based on the basic laws of physics, direct measurements, and empirical observations in nature, the current rise in atmospheric greenhouse gases by about 40 per cent since the 19th century is inducing a shift in the state of the atmosphere-ocean-land-ice sheets system, seriously endangering future generations, and nature’s life-support systems. Our concern is based on the scientific peer-reviewed literature as summarised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and on observations by the world’s national science academies and geophysical research societies of leading nations, including Australia.

The current and projected trend in carbon dioxide from the 19th century concentration of 280 parts per million to the current 400ppm, rising at more than 2ppm a year, threatens to transform the planetary climate towards conditions where large parts of the continents become subject to extreme weather events. If this trend is allowed to continue, low coastal and river valleys, where much of the world’s population live and food supply comes from, would be inundated by rising sea levels. At the current emission rate, carbon dioxide concentration would rise to about 480ppm by 2055, threatening the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets and approaching conditions that existed on the planet before about 2.6 million years ago, before the appearance of the genus Homo.

Dr Andrew Glikson, earth and paleoclimate science, Australian National University and 73 distinguished scientists and academics (click here for full list).

http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-letters/do-not-underestimate-global-warming-threat-top-scientists-20150312-1428yo.html