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I have not meant to sound apocalyptic, just wanted to say that after that time frame natural positive feedback loop of CO2 will take over and there is not chanc

I have not meant to sound apocalyptic, just wanted to say that after that time frame natural positive feedback loop of CO2 will take over and there is not chance of reversing, at that point it is big unknown. But it will be very difficult for billions to survive as crops will start failing on regular bases, floods etc...

simonsarris 6y ago
Totally agree we're going into uncharted territory, but does CO2 have a feedback loop like you say? The thermal forcing function is logarithmic, and a hotter earth means a technically wetter and perhaps greener earth, at least in the near-term. I have no doubt we're all in for a wild ride but I think we know significantly less than forecasting doom for certain.
- TheGRS 6y ago
  The CO2 part is easier to predict than nature's response, it's also the part that we humans have more control over. Part of the problem with assuming nature will do its thing is that it could take much longer for nature to sort out than what our short lifespans can reasonably feel comfortable with.
  - NiceWayToDoIT 6y ago
    Agreed fully, although in media usually mention planet in danger, planet is fine, few million years now and then and there will be life again flourishing on the planet, but we do not know what/how will that life look like. Issue is that our race and ecosystems as we know it - are in danger.
- NiceWayToDoIT 6y ago
  I think issue is desertification, and spikes in temperatures causing plants to get into state of shock. Some tree species are very susceptible to temperature change, so they can suddenly die. Also, trees except being CO2 deposits are huge deposits of water, so tree evaporation draws more rain, and there is entire feedback cycle of water, so it is not simple as "more heat more rain as 2/3 of planet is water", as by same logic in deserts would be rain all the time. It is interesting how clouds form as well, as they need small particles, basically seeds to form...
- moultano 6y ago
  There are lots of positive feedbacks, but they are very difficult to predict the timing and magnitude of with any degree of certainty. Some examples include: - increased fires increasing CO2 - melting permafrost releasing CO2 and methane - less ice decreasing ocean and land albedo and absorbing more sunlight - greater temperature and salinity gradient reducing the mixing of the ocean and reducing the amount of CO2 it can absorb - warm water absorbs less CO2 - and lots more.

simonsarris 6y ago

Totally agree we're going into uncharted territory, but does CO2 have a feedback loop like you say? The thermal forcing function is logarithmic, and a hotter earth means a technically wetter and perhaps greener earth, at least in the near-term. I have no doubt we're all in for a wild ride but I think we know significantly less than forecasting doom for certain.

TheGRS 6y ago
The CO2 part is easier to predict than nature's response, it's also the part that we humans have more control over. Part of the problem with assuming nature will do its thing is that it could take much longer for nature to sort out than what our short lifespans can reasonably feel comfortable with.
- NiceWayToDoIT 6y ago
  Agreed fully, although in media usually mention planet in danger, planet is fine, few million years now and then and there will be life again flourishing on the planet, but we do not know what/how will that life look like. Issue is that our race and ecosystems as we know it - are in danger.
NiceWayToDoIT 6y ago
I think issue is desertification, and spikes in temperatures causing plants to get into state of shock. Some tree species are very susceptible to temperature change, so they can suddenly die. Also, trees except being CO2 deposits are huge deposits of water, so tree evaporation draws more rain, and there is entire feedback cycle of water, so it is not simple as "more heat more rain as 2/3 of planet is water", as by same logic in deserts would be rain all the time. It is interesting how clouds form as well, as they need small particles, basically seeds to form...
moultano 6y ago
There are lots of positive feedbacks, but they are very difficult to predict the timing and magnitude of with any degree of certainty. Some examples include: - increased fires increasing CO2 - melting permafrost releasing CO2 and methane - less ice decreasing ocean and land albedo and absorbing more sunlight - greater temperature and salinity gradient reducing the mixing of the ocean and reducing the amount of CO2 it can absorb - warm water absorbs less CO2 - and lots more.