More bad news this week following fresh research that atmospheric CO2 levels have hit 400 ppm (parts per million) for the first time in over 4 million years.
While “climate deniers‘ are often keen to point out the Earth’s natural warming and cooling cycles, they generally ignore the fact that
- Such cycles operate over thousands of years, not decades as we’re seeing now
- The last time such high levels of CO2 were thought to have been present, the average global temperature was 3 or 4 degrees higher than today. In fact the temperature ‘lag’ provides a very strong hint at where global temperatures are headed.
Following the news, scientists around the world have today called for world leaders to take action. Sadly for the UK our Government is trying its hardest to undermine the entire renewables industry and in particular wind, and instead kicking off a new dash for gas, proposing to rip up the countryside with fracking and generally adopting some fairly worrying policies.
The answer is so startlingly obvious a child could surely see it – invest massively in renewable energy infrastructure projects NOW. Large infrastructure projects are often seen as a valid tool for kick-starting troubled economies. Combine this with projects that will not only reduce CO2 emissions but reduce imports of foreign gas and oil, improve the balance of payments, create thousands of new jobs and provide a solid and sustainable foundation for the UK’s energy needs for decades to come.
But dont just take our word for it…
Climate milestone is a moment of symbolic significance on road of idiocy. George Monbiot
Climate change ‘will make hundreds of millions homeless. The Guardain
Life on Earth under threat from CO2 levels, say scientists. The Independant
Climate Milestone: Earth’s CO2 Level Passes 400 ppm. National Geographic
Ignoring climate change turns world into ‘dying patient’, says Prince Charles. The Telegraph
Carbon dioxide levels reach all-time high prompting new warnings about climate change. Daily Mail