Thousands of species have already been recorded as having gone extinct due solely to human behaviours. Thousands more are rare, under stress, and at immanent risk of extinction.
The technology to prevent global warming reaching a catastrophic level exists. And it's effectiveness has But not enough individuals, businesses and governments will make the necessary changes in time. In 1975 we were past time to prevent the current 1ºC rise. In 1997 we were past time to prevent the 2ºC rise that will come in the next 5 -10 years. If humanity makes insufficient changes by 2020 we will see massive failures in agriculture and food production at 2.5ºC. Data from the IPCC - the Intergovernmental Panel on Climat Change - gathered from environmental scientists around the globe.
At the current rate of inaction, we are on track for 5ºC by 2050, with widespread global extinctions across the planet. If large bubbles of methane are released by the melting of the Arctic tundras, it will be 8-9ºC before 2035.
Because of the denial and tardiness of governments, there is no longer any way to prevent the mass extinction of most species of life on Earth due to man-made global warming.
Twelve to twenty years remain before the worst impacts begin to hit every living being around the globe. Unless one intends to commit suicide to avoid it (and many will) - each of us needs to be prepared in as many ways as possible to deal with what is to come.
Nevertheless, speaking up about global warming, trying to influence politicians to make a difference, living a green life at every level in order to model it for others - all these things have some chance of making a difference. The more of us who do it, the better the chances. Even if it makes no difference to the politicians, it makes a difference to us, psychologically, to try. It helps to keep us sane in the midst of overwhelming grief.
Speaking our grief about what is happening is also necessary.
And just as important, being in community with one another, being gentle, and sharing love.
This post was edited by inky at July 28, 2019 9:54 AM MDT
Your last sentence? It's too late for that bw. Much too late. The haters are winning. There is no doubt about it. Just my opinion. Thank you for your very thoughtful and helpful analysis and Happy Sunday! :)
inky 