The problem with Climate Change …
Most of the Climate Change criticism is based on the fact that CO2 levels were MUCH higher in the past. That is absolutely correct.
And completely misses the point.
Throughout most of the Earth’s history, carbon dioxide levels have generally changed very slowly. That gave organisms and their ecosystems sufficient time to adapt to climate change through both evolution and migration.
Most of the change from 280 ppm to 421 in 2022 happened in less than 200 years. The present atmospheric concentration of CO2 is the highest for 14 million years.
To put that into context: 14 Million years is longer than it took for apes and humans to evolve from monkeys. Do you think humans would have been able to evolve in just 200 years?
To put the problem into an easily understood picture:
Imagine I throw a tiny lead ball at you. Are you afraid?
Now imagine I use a gun to shoot that lead ball at you - THAT is Climate Change.
If you understand the difference SPEED makes, then you start to understand the threat that climate change is.
Many plants and animals are unable to cope with the rapid change - we are already knee deep in a mass extinction that rivals the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Many of us can see that for themselves. When I was a kid windscreens used to be splattered with insects, and every 100 km you had to stop at a petrol station to clean the windows.
But not anymore.
Insect numbers have plummeted by up to 96% in places - not only in industrialised nations but even in “untouched” areas like the Costa Rican rain forest. The importance and effect of pollinators disappearing should not be under-estimated.
The biggest effects of global heating are currently felt at the BOTTOM of the food pyramid (eg the take up of CO2 into the oceans leads to acidification that makes building skeletons from dissolved Calcium carbonate near impossible), and the effects will not propagate gradually and slowly up the chain but suddenly and catastrophically when you reached the tipping point.
Because the ability of the ecosystems to compensate is being steadily eroded (from multiple sides, eg pollution, exploitation, etc), and while it takes a few hundred years for the changes to reach a tipping point, when it tips EVERYTHING depending on it tips too.
Most plants and animals will come up with new varieties that might be able to cope better - but that doesn’t prevent a population collapse, it just means the species might be able to rebuild and still be around in a few thousand years.
But for many species this will not be enough - because as a population they depend on a plentiful supply of other species for food.
The food we eat is produced in dirt that developed into fertile soil over sometimes tens of thousands of years. Alluvial plains for example. The most productive areas are coastal areas. Which is a small percentage of land area. Where do you get your food when these areas become too dry / wet / hot / cold / unstable / submerged for agriculture?
So the question for most humans will be: “Would you mind not eating for a few thousand years?"
Will Humans survive?
Humans - yes.
Humanity - doubtful.
Because it is just a question of WHEN, not IF, the human population will collapse like the environment they depend on around them.
And you can have faith that humans will react to the problem like this:
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.5% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.4% Hmm, maybe?
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11.1% Yes!
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