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> Warming is unstoppable, second order effects are already happening. Thinking that we can do anything about it is naive. This is probably true. However, it i

> Warming is unstoppable, second order effects are already happening. Thinking that we can do anything about it is naive. This is probably true. However, it is possible—if highly unlikely—that something could be done. This would involve effectively halting CO2 emissions in the next 10 years and massive investment in carbon sequestration research. Is this likely to succeed? No, not really. But why on earth would we be spending our time trying anything else? (Well, I guess we could be spending that time preparing for the coming changes. Which we should also do.)

coldtea 7y ago
>Is this likely to succeed? No, not really. But why on earth would we be spending our time trying anything else? It's not even likely to start to happen. Nobody is really moving that way, or has secured the political will and funds to do so.
cstejerean 7y ago
Anything that involves halting CO2 emissions is not something that “could be done” anytime soon except in theory. Coordinating at that scale across the globe will simply never happen, and the sooner we admit it the sooner we can move on to figure out how to deal with it not happening. CO2 emissions will reduce to the extent that alternatives become cheaper, better and more convenient. And while that’s moving forward it won’t happen fast enough to prevent the problem from getting worse in the mean time. So let’s stop kidding ourselves and prepare for what’s coming, both in terms of dealing with the consequences and finding ways to counteract the effects of ongoing fossil fuel usage.
- elbasti 7y ago
  I don't disagree with this comment, except insofar as I think there's room for both. Even a partial success on the mitigation side buys us more time on the adaptation side. On a personal note, what steps do you think an individual can do to prepare for what's coming as an individual/family?
  - cstejerean 7y ago
    I agree, the more we can reduce emissions the smaller the resulting problem we need to solve. On a personal level I would look at where you live and how that area is likely to change over the next 20-30 years if the current trends continue. And then either consider moving somewhere else or see what you need to do to deal with more extreme versions of floods, draughts, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.
  - neffy 7y ago
    Move inland.

coldtea 7y ago

>Is this likely to succeed? No, not really. But why on earth would we be spending our time trying anything else? It's not even likely to start to happen. Nobody is really moving that way, or has secured the political will and funds to do so.

cstejerean 7y ago

Anything that involves halting CO2 emissions is not something that “could be done” anytime soon except in theory. Coordinating at that scale across the globe will simply never happen, and the sooner we admit it the sooner we can move on to figure out how to deal with it not happening. CO2 emissions will reduce to the extent that alternatives become cheaper, better and more convenient. And while that’s moving forward it won’t happen fast enough to prevent the problem from getting worse in the mean time. So let’s stop kidding ourselves and prepare for what’s coming, both in terms of dealing with the consequences and finding ways to counteract the effects of ongoing fossil fuel usage.

elbasti 7y ago
I don't disagree with this comment, except insofar as I think there's room for both. Even a partial success on the mitigation side buys us more time on the adaptation side. On a personal note, what steps do you think an individual can do to prepare for what's coming as an individual/family?
- cstejerean 7y ago
  I agree, the more we can reduce emissions the smaller the resulting problem we need to solve. On a personal level I would look at where you live and how that area is likely to change over the next 20-30 years if the current trends continue. And then either consider moving somewhere else or see what you need to do to deal with more extreme versions of floods, draughts, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.
- neffy 7y ago
  Move inland.