08/22/2016
ClimateWorks Foundation on why we need massive change now:
"The physics of the earth harbor a frightening punch line for the climate change story: Even though the consequences of climate change persist for the very long term, the time to avoid those consequences is very short. A delay - of even a decade - in reducing CO2 emissions will lock in large-scale, irreversible change.
Delay also increases the risk that the whole climate system will spin out of control. This message may be alarming, but it is not alarmism; it’s physics. And the earth’s climate physics have serious implications for political action and technological innovation in the coming decade.
The story has five parts:
1. Stabilizing at any CO2 concentration requires very low emissions
Carbon dioxide persists in the atmosphere for a very long time; because it can accumulate for millennia, stabilizing concentrations at any level ultimately requires nearly zero emissions.
2. Carbon “sinks” are disappearing
Natural safety valves—primarily the biosphere and oceans, which absorb almost half our CO2 emissions—are shutting down as they become saturated with CO2.
3. Many impacts of climate change are irreversible
Continued high emissions will lock in persistent damage.
4. The system can spin out of control
If the natural system crosses certain tipping points, it can unleash runaway change.
5. Acting now saves money
The economic costs of stabilizing later, even at a higher CO2 concentration, will be very painful or even impossible."
