CNN/AP: Global warming already killing species, analysis says

[DeepModem Mom]

Global warming already killing species, analysis says
November 21, 2006

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Animal and plant species have begun dying off or changing sooner than predicted because of global warming, a review of hundreds of research studies contends.

These fast-moving adaptations come as a surprise even to biologists and ecologists because they are occurring so rapidly.

At least 70 species of frogs, mostly mountain-dwellers that had nowhere to go to escape the creeping heat, have gone extinct because of climate change, the analysis says. It also reports that between 100 and 200 other cold-dependent animal species, such as penguins and polar bears are in deep trouble.

"We are finally seeing species going extinct," said University of Texas biologist Camille Parmesan, author of the study. "Now we've got the evidence. It's here. It's real. This is not just biologists' intuition. It's what's happening."

Her review of 866 scientific studies is summed up in the journal Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics.

Parmesan reports seeing trends of animal populations moving northward if they can, of species adapting slightly because of climate change, of plants blooming earlier, and of an increase in pests and parasites....

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/11/21/climate.species.ap/index.html

[neoblues]

1. Is this news?

There are already documentaries on the subject... Surely this isn't news...

Oh, I see, a review of Eight Hundred Sixty-Six already existing studies.... nevermind.

[MeasureTwice]

12. It's breaking news that this is appearing on CNN

The news is that it's ON the news...

By the way, to really understand the danger of global warming, check out 'The day the earth nearly died' The book is better than the discovery channel special, but the special is more accessable.

[tridim]

2. I suppose all this is just God's will huh Republicans?

These idiots will deny global warming up until the day THEY go extinct. Which now that I think about it, might not be such a bad thing.

It'll be much easier to solve the problems and adapt after they're gone.

[The Stranger]

7. Yes, one other wonderful result of religious indoctrination.

We cannot preserve the only God damnned, fucking planet we have.

Thanks go out to Falwell, Robertson, Bush and all of their "Christian" followers.

Would they could fuck up their own planet, turn it into hell, and leave the rest of us and our planet alone.

[eppur_se_muova]

13. As a result "We are seeing a lot of evolution now," so that would be a NO.

:evilgrin:

Unless ... wait a minute ... evolution IS God's will ! That would solve everything !

[stepnw1f]

3. Global Warming is Killing Humanity

slowly.... yet signs are apparent the process of Mother Earth to rid itself of the human nuisance is speeding up. First wildlife then us ALL. People need to stop believing WE are somehow seperate from wildlife.

[tridim]

6. We are different in two respects

We have the ability to alter our environment and we have big brains, so we can probably solve the global warming problem if we really want to. Problem is, half of America won't even admit there's a problem.

I agree that the Earth considers us a parasite. Like fleas on a dog.

[The2ndWheel]

8. We'll just make the problem worse as we attempt to fix it

That's the issue. We need to do something, but everything we're going to end up doing will make the problem bigger, and more complex. Until we figure out how to stop entropy(if we did, we could all live forever, so calculate those odds), we won't solve a damn thing.

[tridim]

9. Well then, better start adapting..

I think you may be underestimating the power of human creativity. I still look at the achievements of the Wright Brothers and the Apollo program with awe, two things "they" said couldn't be done.

[The2ndWheel]

11. I'm not underestimating it

I'm afraid of what it might do.

Humans didn't evolve to fly. Things like the Wright Brothers and the Apollo Program allow us to believe we don't have limits.

Maybe you're right, and we can solve the problem. Your examples don't really match up though, since not being able to fly wasn't really a problem. Not having an eco-system, that's more of a problem than a luxury.

But the world has to work with both optimistic and pessimistic people. We keep each other in check.

[mom cat]

15. We can't stop entropy, but we can stop adding to the problem.

Check out this site to see what your carbon output is then figure out what you can do to reduce it.
For me, it will mean a lot less computer use and keeping the house at 45 degrees in the winter. I had already stopped using air conditioners and spent last winter with the temp at 50. That may sound drastic, but runaway global warming or a sudden ice age would feel a lot worse. The future really is dependent on our individual lifestyle changes as well as our collective actions. If we who believe in the magnitude of the problem won't make the changes to our own lifestyles to get our own carbon output down to what the earth can handle, then who will do it?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

17. I killed half my house plants by keeping the furnace off 2 winters ago

:(

So I started buying more hardy plants.

[anotherdrew]

10. THEY HAVE A SOLUTIUON, but IT DOESN'T INVOLVE 90% OF US SURVIVING n/t

[Stargazer99]

4. Human kind! Will they EVER get over themselves

Man is so self-centered that he cannot see what is in front of him! And this is supposed to be the planet's most intellegent species! Killing for the almighty dollar! Didn't the Bible warn us about greed? but of course those in power (like Reagan who said greed was good) now better than God!

[Stargazer99]

5. When I was a young adult I read a book that said

Man has already killed himself five times and it looks like we are well on the way to do it again. We are given a paradise and free will and look at the mess!

[YankeyMCC]

14. Hardly news but the more it's talked about the better nt

[tex-wyo-dem]

16. k & r...

What can I say but that the MSM finally thinks it's okay to publish "latest breaking news" on an issue that has been well known for decades now. Scientists were warning us in the 60s and 70s that this scenario could very well happen.

Humans do have the ability to possibly halt or reverse this trend, but it's like stopping and turning the Titanic...it will take years and it will take the will of governments and people around the world to make drastic changes to the way we conduct our lives in many ways. I don't hold a lot of realistic hope that this can happen soon enough.

[nam78_two]

18. k&r

:(