[CAnet - news] Preparing for the next 911 event - climate catastrophe

"Bill St. Arnaud" <[email protected]> Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:24:44 -0500
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For more information on this item please visit my blog at 

http://green-broadband.blogspot.com/ or http://billstarnaud.blogspot.com

-------------------------------------------

 

 [Scientists around the world are increasingly being alarmed that CO2
emissions are growing faster than the most pessimistic projections.  It is
likely that the planet will see a 4C temperature rise which will cause major
social and economic disruptions. Unfortunately the public and governments
are not going to respond to the seriousness of this situation until we have
a major climate catastrophe such as major continent wide drought, collapse
of an ice shelf etc. In the event of a major climate catastrophe governments
may be forced to undertake draconian steps such as shutting down all coal
plants, or imposing carbon neutrality across the entire economy. Clearly
this would every major implications on the economy and society. Many
organizations have undertaken disaster recovery or business continuity plans
to deal with terrorist attacks or natural disasters, but few have done any
planning in the event of a climate catastrophe.  Terrorist attacks or
natural disasters tend to be local and of relatively short duration. A
climate catastrophe may be global and last for decades.  Are you prepared?
Have you implemented network and data solutions that can survive such a long
disruption? --- BSA]

 

 

My presentation to Dynamic Coalition on Internet and Climate Change (DCICC)

Preparing for the next 911- climate catastrophe

http://www.slideshare.net/bstarn/preparing-for-climate-911-event-presentatio
n/

 


What are
<http://climateprogress.org/2008/11/24/what-are-the-near-term-climate-pearl-
harbors/>  the near-term climate Pearl Harbors?


http://climateprogress.org/2008/11/24/what-are-the-near-term-climate-pearl-h
arbors/

 

 

Too late? Why scientists say we should expect the worst

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/09/poznan-copenhagen-global-w
arming-targets-climate-change

 

At a high-level academic conference on global warming at Exeter University
this summer, climate scientist Kevin Anderson stood before his expert
audience and contemplated a strange feeling. He wanted to be wrong. Many of
those in the room who knew what he was about to say felt the same. His
conclusions had already caused a stir in scientific and political circles.
Even committed green campaigners said the implications left them terrified.

 

Anderson, an expert at the Tyndall Centre for
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/climatechange Climate Change Research
at Manchester University, was about to send the gloomiest dispatch yet from
the frontline of the war against climate change.

 

Despite the political rhetoric, the scientific warnings, the media headlines
and the corporate promises, he would say,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/carbonemissions carbon emissions were
soaring way out of control - far above even the bleak scenarios considered
by last year's report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) and the Stern review.  

 

The battle against dangerous climate change had been lost, and the world
needed to prepare for things to get very, very bad.

 

At 650ppm, the same fuzzy science says the world would face a catastrophic
4C average rise. And even that bleak future, Anderson said, could only be
achieved if rich countries adopted "draconian emission reductions within a
decade". Only an unprecedented "planned economic recession"  

might be enough. The current financial woes would not come close.

 

Anderson is not the only expert to voice concerns that current targets are
hopelessly optimistic. Many scientists, politicians and campaigners
privately admit that 2C is a lost cause. Bob Watson, chief scientist at the
Environment Department and a former head of the IPCC, warned this year that
the world needed to prepare for a 4C rise, which would wipe out hundreds of
species, bring extreme food and water shortages in vulnerable countries and
cause floods that would displace hundreds of millions of people. Warming
would be much more severe towards the poles, which could accelerate melting
of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets.

 

 

 

 

-------------------------------------

To subscribe or unsubscribe send e-mail to [email protected]

 

These news items and comments are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect
those  of the CANARIE board or management.

 

 

 

------

[email protected]

[email protected]

http://billstarnaud.blogspot.com/

 


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<div class=3DSection1>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText>For more information on this item please visit =
my blog at
<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><a =
href=3D"http://green-broadband.blogspot.com/">http://green-broadband.blog=
spot.com/</a>
or <a =
href=3D"http://billstarnaud.blogspot.com">http://billstarnaud.blogspot.co=
m</a><o:p></o:p></p>

<p =
class=3DMsoPlainText>-------------------------------------------<o:p></o:=
p></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'>&nbsp;[Scientists
around the world are increasingly being alarmed that CO2 emissions are =
growing
faster than the most pessimistic projections.&nbsp; It is likely that =
the
planet will see a 4C temperature rise which will cause major social and
economic disruptions. Unfortunately the public and governments are not =
going to
respond to the seriousness of this situation until we have a major =
climate
catastrophe such as major continent wide drought, collapse of an ice =
shelf etc.
In the event of a major climate catastrophe governments may be forced to
undertake draconian steps such as shutting down all coal plants, or =
imposing
carbon neutrality across the entire economy. Clearly this would every =
major
implications on the economy and society. Many organizations have =
undertaken
disaster recovery or business continuity plans to deal with terrorist =
attacks
or natural disasters, but few have done any planning in the event of a =
climate
catastrophe.&nbsp; Terrorist attacks or natural disasters tend to be =
local and
of relatively short duration. A climate catastrophe may be global and =
last for
decades.&nbsp; Are you prepared?&nbsp; Have you implemented network and =
data
solutions that can survive such a long disruption? --- =
BSA]<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'>My presentation to Dynamic Coalition on Internet and =
Climate
Change (DCICC)<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'>Preparing for the next 911- climate =
catastrophe<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'><a
href=3D"http://www.slideshare.net/bstarn/preparing-for-climate-911-event-=
presentation/">http://www.slideshare.net/bstarn/preparing-for-climate-911=
-event-presentation/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<h2><span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'><a
href=3D"http://climateprogress.org/2008/11/24/what-are-the-near-term-clim=
ate-pearl-harbors/"
title=3D"Permanent Link: What are the near-term climate Pearl =
Harbors?">What are
the near-term climate Pearl Harbors?</a><o:p></o:p></span></h2>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'><a
href=3D"http://climateprogress.org/2008/11/24/what-are-the-near-term-clim=
ate-pearl-harbors/">http://climateprogress.org/2008/11/24/what-are-the-ne=
ar-term-climate-pearl-harbors/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Too
late? Why scientists say we should expect the =
worst<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><a
href=3D"http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/09/poznan-copenhag=
en-global-warming-targets-climate-change">http://www.guardian.co.uk/envir=
onment/2008/dec/09/poznan-copenhagen-global-warming-targets-climate-chang=
e</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>At
a high-level academic conference on global warming at Exeter University =
this
summer, climate scientist Kevin Anderson stood before his expert =
audience and
contemplated a strange feeling. He wanted to be wrong. Many of those in =
the
room who knew what he was about to say felt the same. His conclusions =
had
already caused a stir in scientific and political circles. Even =
committed green
campaigners said the implications left them =
terrified.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'>Anderson,
an expert at the Tyndall Centre for <a
href=3D"http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/climatechange">http://www.g=
uardian.co.uk/environment/climatechange</a>
Climate Change Research at Manchester University, was about to send the
gloomiest dispatch yet from the frontline of the war against climate =
change.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Despite
the political rhetoric, the scientific warnings, the media headlines and =
the
corporate promises, he would say, <a
href=3D"http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/carbonemissions">http://www=
.guardian.co.uk/environment/carbonemissions</a>
carbon emissions were soaring way out of control - far above even the =
bleak
scenarios considered by last year's report from the Intergovernmental =
Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) and the Stern review.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The
battle against dangerous climate change had been lost, and the world =
needed to
prepare for things to get very, very bad.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>At
650ppm, the same fuzzy science says the world would face a catastrophic =
4C
average rise. And even that bleak future, Anderson said, could only be =
achieved
if rich countries adopted &quot;draconian emission reductions within a
decade&quot;. Only an unprecedented &quot;planned economic
recession&quot;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>might
be enough. The current financial woes would not come =
close.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'>Anderson
is not the only expert to voice concerns that current targets are =
hopelessly
optimistic. Many scientists, politicians and campaigners privately admit =
that
2C is a lost cause. Bob Watson, chief scientist at the Environment =
Department
and a former head of the IPCC, warned this year that the world needed to
prepare for a 4C rise, which would wipe out hundreds of species, bring =
extreme
food and water shortages in vulnerable countries and cause floods that =
would
displace hundreds of millions of people. Warming would be much more =
severe
towards the poles, which could accelerate melting of the Greenland and =
West
Antarctic ice sheets.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'>-------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></=
p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>To
subscribe or unsubscribe send e-mail to <a
href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a><o=
:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>These
news items and comments are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect
those&nbsp; of the CANARIE board or management.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoPlainText><span =
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'>------<o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><a
href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a><o:p=
></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><a
href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a><o:p></o:p></spa=
n></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><a
href=3D"http://billstarnaud.blogspot.com/">http://billstarnaud.blogspot.c=
om/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span style=3D'font-family:"Times New =
Roman","serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>

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