Ice loss could push sea levels above estimates-report

[cal04]

Source: Reuters

Increasing loss of ice from Antarctica and Greenland could cause sea levels to exceed U.N. estimates by 2100, an Australian government-backed report says, with the extent of the rise still uncertain.

The U.N. Climate Panel says seas could rise by 18-59 cm (7-24 inches) by 2100. It also raised the possibility of an additional 20 cm rise if polar ice sheets dumped ever greater amounts of ice into the ocean.

That assessment was based on scientific knowledge up to 2005.

"There is now emerging evidence that sea level rise by 2100 might exceed this," says the report released on Friday that reviews the latest science and is meant to guide policy-makers.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP496131.htm

[terrytea]

1. Political science

This is political science. The real science based on real data from the geologic record shows much greater extremes of temp and CO2 concentrations than we have experienced in human history and these have changes have occurred in only a few decades. Adapt or die has been in effect for the last 3.8 billions years. If you really believe this global warming stuff, why is your computer on?

[Birthmark]

3. Question

In all of that 3.5 billion years of Earth history, how many technological societies (depending on industrial farming for society for its very survival) have there been? "None" is the correct answer, as far as I know.

That, terrytea, is the core problem. We're not going to sweat to death. We will starve.

[Oregone]

5. This is one hell of a good point...

And if counters any natural trend, non-alarmist approach.

Yes, I guess we can simply adapt by not dieing. Learn to grow your own food in a place that wont be underwater. To everyone else, tough luck.

Back in the day, even if man existed during these times, a nomadic or self-sufficient forager lifestyle would not have been too significantly affected.

[Union Yes]

7. terryteabag, how much time have you spent above the Arctic circle?

Researching melting ice shelves.

[Blandocyte]

9. Real Data vs ???

The data are the data. It's the conclusions that matter, and those we should leave to trained scientists instead of relying on Rush and Hannity.

[zeemike]

10. That is actually a good question.

Why is my computer still on?
But my answer would be... because it is not about using power, it is about how we get that power.

[Dark]

11. The earth was much warmer during the cretaceous (sic) but man kind is not used to that.

Also, considering how many people live in coastal areas, the problem of flooding and overpopulation would be exasperated, not to mention that changes in Ocean currents could also drastically change our climate.

[hatrack]

12. Ah yes, the "Unless You Live In A Yurt And Live On Berries & Yak Blood" argument . . .

Ooh, gosh, am I ever stung by my own monstrous hypocrisy! You sure got me, Terrytea!!!

Feel free to get back to us with loads and loads of cited and peer-reviewed "real science", OK?

:eyes:

[time_has_come]

2. More than six million will die from global warming by 2030

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5826050&mesg_id=5826050

Likely far more, since the study is based upon the last IPCC report, which is conservative even with the latest science.

[clixtox]

4. Time to start pumping or siphoning sea water into Death Valley...

and the Dead Sea?

Just saying...

Any other ideas?

Of course that would be a "stop-gap" measure.

The whole paradigm of society we call "civilization" is bound for some radical adjustments, at least.

[Union Yes]

6. Melting permafrost is exasperating the problem.

Do folks realize just how much CO2 and methane is trapped in permafrost and how it is released when permafrost melts?

If the permafrost melts, we be f'd.

Honestly I think we've gone past the tipping point.

[Blandocyte]

8. Note To Self: Soylent Green as investment opportunity

Important to get in now, on the ground floor, before we lose more ground. Literally lose more ground.

[lindisfarne]

13. I can't figure out how people continue to have children in the face of this kind of information

(greenhouse gases as well). It mystifies me. How does one justify bringing a child into this world only for one's own selfish motives (the joy of having a child) while forgetting what that child's future will be like.