Global Climate Change Could Be Worse Than We Were Told

(Cartoon image is by Chan Lowe in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.)

The original predictions of climate scientists were that the Earth could warm by a couple of degrees centigrade. That would raise the sea level by about two to four feet, and increase the devastation caused by weather events (drought, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, etc.). That would make the Eath's climate far less hospitable for humans. And sadly, we are already starting to see some of the negative effects of that global warming (global climate change).

But now we learn that it could be far worse than originally predicted. A team of international scientists has published a new study in the publication of the National Academy of Sciences. They say the warming could be as much as six to eight degrees, and sea levels could rise between 30 and 200 feet. That would make the planet virtually uninhabitable.

Why could that happen? Here's what Will Steffen, the study's lead author, had to say:

"Our study suggests that human-induced global warming of [3.6 degrees] may trigger other Earth system processes, often called 'feedbacks,' that can drive further warming — even if we stop emitting greenhouse gases."

Unfortunately, the United States is doing nothing to prevent this, since we have climate deniers in the White House and in control of Congress.