West Antarctic Ice Sheet Collapse Is Unstoppable

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http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/huge- ... -1.2639989

the "grounding line" which could be considered a dam that stops glacier retreat has essentially been breached. The only thing that could stop the retreat in this low-altitude region is a mountain or hill and there is none.

GG West Antarctica.

[dandymcgee]

Interesting..

[ElpidaHope]

Interesting I should say. It's sad how everybody ignores the global warning. One day it will be too late...

[dandymcgee]

Interesting I should say. It's sad how everybody ignores the global warning. One day it will be too late...

As is the problem with many campaigns: the Global Warming Movement lacks a clear set of goals. Everybody is constantly babbling on about it, but nobody has yet to *do* anything about it.

We can see the evidence and decide for ourselves what it means, but if someone believes it's a serious threat to our planet they need to outline a solid, achievable plan of action. One that the average Joe can execute in his own life to do his part in alleviating the problem. Until somebody puts into black-and-white, elementary terms how we're supposed to prevent global warming, what are we to do?

P.S. - "Buy a hybrid" is a far cry from a proper solution.

[ElpidaHope]

Interesting I should say. It's sad how everybody ignores the global warning. One day it will be too late...

As is the problem with many campaigns: the Global Warming Movement lacks a clear set of goals. Everybody is constantly babbling on about it, but nobody has yet to *do* anything about it.

We can see the evidence and decide for ourselves what it means, but if someone believes it's a serious threat to our planet they need to outline a solid, achievable plan of action. One that the average Joe can execute in his own life to do his part in alleviating the problem. Until somebody puts into black-and-white, elementary terms how we're supposed to prevent global warming, what are we to do?

P.S. - "Buy a hybrid" is a far cry from a proper solution.

Couldn't agree more with you here But since nobody is doing it (for now hopefully) I believe that those who can understand how serious this problem is should take action. You can't change the world, but you can change your own self.

[dandymcgee]

[...] those who can understand how serious this problem is should take action. You can't change the world, but you can change your own self.

"take action", "change your own self", perhaps you could be more specific? Your advice demonstrates perfectly the problem I was describing: everyone keeps saying we need to change, but nobody is telling us how to change. What actions, exactly, do you propose I take to do my part?

[ElpidaHope]

"take action", "change your own self", perhaps you could be more specific? Your advice demonstrates perfectly the problem I was describing: everyone keeps saying we need to change, but nobody is telling us how to change. What actions, exactly, do you propose I take to do my part?

There are a lot of examples and I bet there are many specialists who have already done researches saying what someone should do to "change". It is not an easy task though.
Google is the best place to find out what researches are going on right now.

Unfortunately I am not s specialist and never will be, I'm pretty sure about that. So I can't tell you what exactly you have to do. What I would do is try to get more in depth about it, trying to find out myself. Even though this should have been the scientist's work, to tell the people.
There are some "famous" examples of what to change about yourself to save the planet though, for instance stop wasting energy, stop polluting the environment by throwing trash around, ride your bike more than using the car... etc

Another theory is saying that the government should get more serious about the issue, which I believe is right. However while looking at my own country's government I know this is not happening any time soon...

Generally I understand your point and I agree with you.

[qpHalcy0n]

The "take action" initiative is a great initiative for making yourself feel better or at least demonstrating that you are aware. It isn't an opinion that is based in reality, however. In industrialized nations, there is quite literally nothing you can do. The big polluters are those things on down the line that me and you use and need every day but never think about. Supply chains, logistics, infrastructure, plastics. All of these are things we rely on but come from extremely pollutive processes, especially plastics and power infrastructure. Infrastructure here in Texas (what keeps everything we depend on running) is derived almost completely from natural gas (8,000 Trillion BTU's). Natural gas sucks because the byproducts of burning it are NOx and CO2...which are some of the worst things you can put in the atmosphere in terms of global warming. The byproducts also find their way into the water table as well. We don't derive much power from nuclear sources despite it being extremely clean (given proper waste storage). Solar is a ways off for two reasons. It is not commercially efficient (yet) and current production methods are grotesquely pollutive. IE: Just MAKING a solar panel is a dirty and nasty process. They also are not good options in many parts of the southern United States where the weather can be very destructive. A hailstorm can take out billions worth of solar panels (those things ain't cheap).

When we really start to think and wrap our heads around the *ENTIRE* problem, we see its very deep. Our existence revolves around fossil fuels. Our infrastructure is built on it. Everything. What can *you* do? Get a degree in materials engineering or electrical engineering and change the world. Develop the next new thing. Those are the heroes. Those are the ones who will move us from what we've built. Other than that what can you do? Nothing. Give money to companies heavily invested in "clean" technology. Money is how this country works. That's how we speak. Your words don't mean anything. Give. Money is a powerful motivator, and the ONLY one in economies based on capitalism.

Your other problem is the fact that you have countries who given even fewer shits than the United States about global warming who are polluting at a grotesquely higher rate than we are. We have the EPA, don't discount that. While they're not any savior, the regulations afford us a much cleaner nation than we COULD have *cough* China *cough*.

Now, not to be a debbie downer, but from everything that I've read given the latest information scientists have, it already IS too late. Essentially, we're looking at significant sea level changes (enough to be catastrophic) regardless of whether we do anything or not which includes complete cessation of any CO2 pollution.

So, in regards to the "you can help!" thing, that's really cute. But, no.

[qpHalcy0n]

Oh...or move to Minnesota. All of their power production is derived from nuclear, biofuels, and renewable energy sources.

[dandymcgee]

Oh...or move to Minnesota. All of their power production is derived from nuclear, biofuels, and renewable energy sources.

While I imagine Minnesota is, comparatively, pretty empty, somehow I doubt there's enough room for everyone. Or enough energy for that matter.

I think if we all threw away our smart phones (somehow without polluting anything), that would be an excellent start to restoring a useful humanity.

[qpHalcy0n]

Yea, and if you do move to Minnesota, invest in a large gun. They have many moose... they are literally about 9ft from hoof to shoulder. It's nuts.

[Accy]

*cough* China *cough*

Whether or not this pun was intentional is irrelevant; it's great.

[dandymcgee]

*cough* China *cough*

Whether or not this pun was intentional is irrelevant; it's great.

Lmao.

[0x0000000]

*cough* China *cough*

Whether or not this pun was intentional is irrelevant; it's great.

Lmao.

Not sure if this is relevant, I live in China and during the winter an Air Pollution Index of 200 would be considered OK. It occasionally rises above 500 which basically means you'd get lung cancer if you stayed out too long.