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Comment By John Darling For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 24, 2014 at 8:14 PM By John Darling For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 24, 2014 at 8:14 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Was what CIA did after 9/11 appropriate? • Should tax on market vendors apply retroactively? • What are you doing to get ready for winter? • Oregon Climate proposes carbon cost be redistributed • What's the right amount to tip? • Will plastic bag ban affect you? • What's your favorite part of Lithia Park? • Deer attacks: Should city take a harder line? • What difference will it make if recreational pot use is legalized?... • Taking action here, now on global climate change • Trying to get a handle on panhandling » Social News Global climate change: What has happened? Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and oceans has increased dramatically since about 1910, when the internal combustion engine exploded on the scene in privately-owned vehicles. It passed historic levels in the mid-20th century, ascending a steep vector since 1980, with slight dips during recessions. These greenhouse gases increase retention of the sun’s warmth, melting polar ice and glaciers, triggering a rise in sea level. Deforestation, especially in the Amazon basin, drives much carbon retention, since plants “inhale” CO2. Global climate change: What’s being done now? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, over the last decade, has summarized the science on global climate change, noting it’s 90 percent certain that most greenhouse gases are produced by human activity. The issue is divisive, excessively so in the polarized political climate of the US, where many so-called “climate change deniers” say seeming new weather extremes are just natural cycles and we should proceed as normal with industrial growth and energy use. At a UN Climate Summit this week, President Barack Obama implored China, the world’s biggest carbon polluter, to take on the task of taking steps to get it under control. He said human-caused warming is behind much new flooding, hurricanes, torrential rains and drought in our country. "We cannot condemn our children and their children to a future that is beyond their capacity to repair,” said Obama, “not when we have the means, the technological innovation and the scientific imagination to begin the work of repairing it right now." Global climate change: What’s the likely future? Predictions cite likely inundation of low-lying coastal areas, such as Florida, with rising sea levels over this century. Millions will be displaced. Southeast Asia and the south Pacific islands will be hard hit. The food chain will be disrupted in ways not yet known. Solar and wind energy production will proliferate. It’s generally agreed by science that the bell can’t be “un-rung.” The CO2 has been released and can’t be put back where it came from. While many call for increased conservation and solar-wind alternatives to lessen the impact, others say we must also learn to adapt to new conditions. On the whole, the public indicates that little is being done to stave off the avalanche of carbon into our biosphere — and, having never been here before, we are like a deer-in-the-headlights, studying the approaching changes with deep concern, but not panic. The question: How concerned are you about climate change? What can the individual and governments do about it? "I’m very concerned for our future and the future of my children, who will live in a world that’s not hospitable to them. The individual should downsize, live simply, drive less, live with less. The government should instill policies that don’t subsidize business activities which are increasing CO2. It’s all depressing (the fact that the CO2 has already been released and can’t be put back), but there’s no reason we shouldn’t start acting, because CO2 is not good for us." — Gabe Howe  "Yes, I’m concerned a lot. The individual should be as conscious as he can be about his carbon footprint. The government should transition from our being based on fossil fuels, so that we use less. We have to transition to other forms of energy. You can’t point to a particular event as being caused by climate change, but you can know there are too many resources being used by too many people. I don’t feel particularly optimistic about our collective ability to deal with the commons. We externalize our consumption, so it’s others who pay the cost of our individual consumption over the long term. The individual at present is given incentive to drive as much as they want and have the most polluting vehicles they can own." —  Don Reynolds "Climate change will be devastating to millions of people. Life will be worse for my son (toddler with her). Individuals should conserve energy and be conscious about the use of transportation. Be politically active, lobby politicians, put solar on your house. The government should stop funding big coal and start funding development of local, sustainable energy. Get rid of the grid system. The fact that CO2 can’t be reversed, it impacts me hugely and I feel speechless, powerless."  — Brandy MacDonald  "Yes, I’m very concerned. Warming is not from carbon dioxide but from the government spraying ionizeable salts from planes to change the weather, in order to control food and water supplies. The earth moderates itself, so that, as CO2 goes up, so does the ability of the Earth to handle it. The idea that CO2 causes warming is a red herring everyone buys into. The widespread weather problems are caused by weather modification projects. What should the individual do about it? Educate yourself, share what you learn. Our community and elected representatives should be our voice on this."  — Gary Fowler By John Darling For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 24, 2014 at 8:14 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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