How much longer will the heads in the sand continue?
In 2013, concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere was 142% of the pre-industrial era (1750), and of methane and nitrous oxide 253% and 121% respectively.
The ocean cushions the increase in CO2 that would otherwise occur in the atmosphere, but with far-reaching impacts. The current rate of ocean acidification appears unprecedented at least over the last 300 million years, according to an analysis in the report.
At the current rate of increase, the global annual average CO2 concentration is set to cross the symbolic 400 parts per million threshold in 2015 or 2016.
Atmospheric methane reached a new high of about 1824 parts per billion (ppb) in 2013, due to increased emissions from anthropogenic sources. Since 2007, atmospheric methane has been increasing again after a temporary period of leveling-off.
Nitrous oxide
Its impact on climate, over a 100-year period, is 298 times greater than equal emissions of carbon dioxide. It also plays an important role in the destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer which protects us from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
The ocean's acidity increase is already measurable as oceans take up about 4 kilogrammes of CO2 per day per person.
What can I say, no matter how much data there is we seem capable of ignoring, fudging and then blithely carrying on as before.
No matter how often I protest, no matter how solid the mathematical model it seems pointless when confronted by the do nothing lobby.
Some argue about the cost but whatever figure they pull out the hat, it is nothing compared to the potential costs in the near future.
What more can I do? What more can we do?
The figures above are just plain terrifying, and I suggest reading the whole article.
“If global warming is not a strong enough reason to cut CO2 emissions, ocean acidification should be, since its effects are already being felt and will increase for many decades to come. I echo WMO Secretary General Jarraud’s concern – we ARE running out of time,” she said.