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The Climate Change Thread

str8line said:
his effect on making civilization less civilized will probably be reason number two when looked back upon by history
Click to expand...
Yes, David Brooks of The Atlantic had similar thoughts.

“Although Trump’s actions across these various spheres may seem like separate policies, they are part of one project: creating a savage war of all against all and then using the presidency to profit and gain power from it. Trumpism can also be seen as a multipronged effort to amputate the higher elements of the human spirit—learning, compassion, science, the pursuit of justice—and supplant those virtues with greed, retribution, ego, appetite. Trumpism is an attempt to make the world a playground for the rich and ruthless, so it seeks to dissolve the sinews of moral and legal restraint that make civilization decent.”

www.theatlantic.com

America Needs a Mass Movement—Now

Without one, America may sink into autocracy for decades.
www.theatlantic.com www.theatlantic.com
 
Red said:
Yes, David Brooks of The Atlantic had similar thoughts.

“Although Trump’s actions across these various spheres may seem like separate policies, they are part of one project: creating a savage war of all against all and then using the presidency to profit and gain power from it. Trumpism can also be seen as a multipronged effort to amputate the higher elements of the human spirit—learning, compassion, science, the pursuit of justice—and supplant those virtues with greed, retribution, ego, appetite. Trumpism is an attempt to make the world a playground for the rich and ruthless, so it seeks to dissolve the sinews of moral and legal restraint that make civilization decent.”

www.theatlantic.com

America Needs a Mass Movement—Now

Without one, America may sink into autocracy for decades.
www.theatlantic.com www.theatlantic.com
Click to expand...
Pretty good summary of trumpism

Sent from my OPD2203 using Tapatalk
 
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Reactions: Red
It can be safely said that the EPA, in this decision, is committing crimes against humanity. The future will hold Trump accountable for attacking climate science, and for committing crimes against the human race, as well as crimes against all life on planet Earth.

peer.org

COMMENTARY | EPA’s Rollback of Endangerment Finding is Cloaked in Secrecy and Science-Denial

The proposal to repeal the endangerment finding is part of a concentrated effort by the Trump administration to abandon science in favor of a political agenda.
peer.org peer.org

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relied on shaky science and shady tactics to propose revoking its landmark greenhouse gas endangerment finding. Greenlighting the rescindment would be detrimental to public health and signal the erosion of science-backed decision making at our federal agencies.

Concerns about how EPA arrived at its proposed rule were echoed in many of the 380,000 public comments recently submitted to the agency, including PEER’s, and by hundreds of speakers who participated in public hearings on the rule.

Backdoor Convening of Climate Working Group​

In March, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright handpicked a group of five scientists to put together a climate study. They all had one thing in common: a history of countering scientific consensus on climate change.

Over the course of a few months, the group secretly authored a reportconcluding that climate change linked to greenhouse gases is less harmful than previously believed.

The report was cited over 20 times in EPA’s proposal to rescind the endangerment finding, despite it being hidden from the public eye and scrutiny up until that point.

A lawsuit filed by environmental groups alleges that this irregular secrecy violated a Federal Advisory Committee act mandating transparency from groups engaged in policymaking. In response, DOE disbanded the group to “invalidate” the lawsuit.

Using a hushed report to justify reversing a finding that will impact the entire globe demonstrates agencies’ abandonment of transparency to quickly advance an agenda. This is further evidenced by EPA suggesting that it might use artificial intelligence to read and respond to public comments, with little explanation on how the technology will be factored into review and decision making.

The People Behind the Controversial Report​

Through cherry picking data and misrepresenting studies, the DOE report basically puts Groucho glasses on industry talking points and calls it science. It comes as no surprise, then, that some of the scientists downplaying the effects of greenhouse gas emissions have ties to the industries regulated under the endangerment finding.

Among the group is Steven Koonin, former Chief Scientist at the oil and gas company BP–a company that has been sued for deceiving the public about climate change. It also includes Judith Curry, who publicly acknowledged receiving funding from the fossil fuel industry for consulting services.

It’s also worth noting that the group was carefully chosen by Secretary Wright, a well-known fossil fuel entrepreneur and founder of the multibillion-dollar fracking company Liberty Energy. The report’s blessing on greenhouse gas emissions conveniently coincides with the Trump administration’s active halting of wind and solar energy projects in order to weaken renewable alternatives and bolster the fossil fuel industry.

Undermining Scientific Integrity​

The proposal to repeal the endangerment finding is part of a concentrated effort by the Trump administration to abandon science in favor of a political agenda.

While Secretary Wright claims that the DOE report pushes back on the “cancel culture Orwellian squelching of science,” the truth is that it strategically ignores overwhelming scientific consensus. Ironically, his statement comes at a time when agencies are punishing employees for expressing dissent and demanding scientific integrity.

As PEER commented, rescinding the endangerment finding on the basis of flawed scientific evidence is antithetical to the reasoned decision-making required by the Administrative Procedures Act. It’s like choosing to cross a bridge after 97% of engineers say it’s structurally unsound just because five engineers say it’s not that bad.

Finalizing the rescindment, as EPA intends to, would harm public health, jeopardize infrastructure and investments, and discredit the missions that our scientific agencies are tasked with carrying out on behalf of the American people.
 
0s6EM86.gif
 
rippimpc said:
View attachment 19509

Bill Gates recently.

Seems like the debate is shifting from whether it’s happening to how bad it is.
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I generally support this view. I don't think we can back our way out of climate change and I don't think we want to. The way to address climate change is to continue moving forward and find proactive solutions that don't involve people voluntarily giving up their current quality of life and especially don't involve imposing a worse quality of life on people who are already on the bottom rungs of our society.

I have often seen the proposition presented by hard core climate activists is that we willingly live worse lives in order to avoid climate change forcing us to live worse lives. I think most people, including me, respond by saying "well let's just see what happens then." And while I 100% believe that climate change is happening, the reality has been better than what extreme climate change activist said it would be at this point.
 
Sardines said:
I generally support this view. I don't think we can back our way out of climate change and I don't think we want to. The way to address climate change is to continue moving forward and find proactive solutions that don't involve people voluntarily giving up their current quality of life and especially don't involve imposing a worse quality of life on people who are already on the bottom rungs of our society.

I have often seen the proposition presented by hard core climate activists is that we willingly live worse lives in order to avoid climate change forcing us to live worse lives. I think most people, including me, respond by saying "well let's just see what happens then." And while I 100% believe that climate change is happening, the reality has been better than what extreme climate change activist said it would be at this point.
Click to expand...
Hard to win elections on that platform
 
Sardines said:
I generally support this view. I don't think we can back our way out of climate change and I don't think we want to. The way to address climate change is to continue moving forward and find proactive solutions that don't involve people voluntarily giving up their current quality of life and especially don't involve imposing a worse quality of life on people who are already on the bottom rungs of our society.

I have often seen the proposition presented by hard core climate activists is that we willingly live worse lives in order to avoid climate change forcing us to live worse lives. I think most people, including me, respond by saying "well let's just see what happens then." And while I 100% believe that climate change is happening, the reality has been better than what extreme climate change activist said it would be at this point.
Click to expand...
Depends on what "giving up their current quality of life" means. Im good with showering every other day, watering my lawns less, riding my bike/walking places more often, driving cars that are more fuel efficient, recycling, using the hand air dryer instead of adding to the landfill with paper towels, not running my car for long periods of time while just sitting there, carpooling, etc. I hope that many of these ideas continue to be promoted and that people listen to them and make small changes in their lifestyles to help.

For some people, making just the smallest changes to their quality of life is a non starter. For me, there is a lot I will change to lessen my quality of life if it may help the situation. Doesn't mean im starving to death and living in squalor though. .
 
Those small changes matter and aren’t easy. The challenge won’t be with the developed world but rather with the striving of the other 7B who want our quality of life. I also think we’re in the midst of a global rethinking of these policies as Europe has entirely nuked their industrial economy and you can see how it has impacted global emissions. You’re going to have to convince voters who once had good jobs at Volkswagen that their sacrifice is making a difference.

IMG_6335.png
 
So far, it seems like the size and strength, and rapid intensification, of storms is the most notable result of global warming, IMO. Hurricane Mellisa has been amazing. I always watch the Atlantic hurricanes, since they sometimes slam my region. I think Mellisa was the strongest to make landfall in the Atlantic. Just insane rapid intensification. And rain! That’s warm water doing that, and that warm water is man produced warming.

apnews.com

Melissa is a beast among a string of monster Atlantic storms. Scientists explain

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica with record-tying 185 mph winds, and its strength defied typical weakening factors.
apnews.com apnews.com

Melissa somehow shook off at least three different meteorological conditions that normally weaken major hurricanes and was still gaining power as it hit, scientists said, a bit amazed.

And while more storms these days are undergoing rapid intensification — gaining 35 mph in wind speed over 24 hours — Melissa did a lot more than that. It achieved what’s called extreme rapid intensification — gaining at least 58 mph over 24 hours. In fact, Melissa turbocharged by about 70 mph during a 24-hour period last week, and had an unusual second round of rapid intensification that spun it up to 175 mph, scientists said.

“It’s been a remarkable, just a beast of a storm,” Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach said.

Warm water fuels growth​

Melissa rapidly intensified during five six-hour periods as it hit the extreme rapid intensification level, McNoldy said. And then it jumped another 35 mph and “that’s extraordinary,” he said.

For meteorologists following it “just your stomach would sink as you’d see these updates coming in,” Woods Placky said.

“We were sitting at work on Monday morning with our team and you just saw the numbers just start jumping again, 175. And then again this morning (Tuesday), 185,” Woods Placky said.


“It’s an explosion,” she said.

(THIS):
One key factor is warm water. McNoldy said some parts of the ocean under Melissa were 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the long-term average for this time of year.

Climate Central, using scientifically accepted techniques of comparing what’s happening now to a fictional world with no human-caused climate change, estimated the role of global warming in Melissa. It said the water was 500 to 700 times more likely to be warmer than normal because of climate change.

A rapid Associated Press analysis of Category 5 hurricanes that brewed, not just hit, in the Atlantic over the past 125 years showed a large recent increase in those top-of-the-scale storms. There have been 13 Category 5 storms from 2016 to 2025, including three this year. Until last year, no other 10-year period even reached double digits. About 29% of the Category 5 hurricanes in the past 125 years have happened since 2016.
 
www.space.com

Is Earth 'on the brink'? 2024 was likely our planet’s hottest year in 125,000 years

Is Earth 'on the brink'? 2024 was likely our planet’s hottest year in 125,000 years
www.space.com www.space.com

2024 may have been Earth's hottest year in at least 125,000 years, according to a grim climate report published Wednesday (Oct. 29) that describes our world as "on the brink" and warns its "vital signs are flashing red," with nearly two-thirds showing record highs.

Last year had already been declared the hottest on record (those records dating back to the late 1800s), following 2023 — which used to be considered the warmest year in human history. The year 2024 also capped a decade of record-breaking heat fueled by human-caused climate change, continuing a trend that began in 2015. Now, the new report, led by researchers at Oregon State University, suggests the year was also likely hotter than the peak of the last interglacial period, roughly 125,000 years ago, when natural shifts in Earth's orbit and tilt made the planet warmer and sea levels several meters higher. That result is based on previously published climate studies.

The study concludes that 22 of 34 measurable indicators of Earth's health, including greenhouse gas levels, ocean heat, sea ice and deforestation, have reached record extremes. The authors warn that these trends suggest humanity is in a "state of ecological overshoot," consuming the planet's resources faster than they can be replenished.
————————————————————

The state of the planet report:


We are hurtling toward climate chaos. The planet's vital signs are flashing red. The consequences of human-driven alterations of the climate are no longer future threats but are here now. This unfolding emergency stems from failed foresight, political inaction, unsustainable economic systems, and misinformation. Almost every corner of the biosphere is reeling from intensifying heat, storms, floods, droughts, or fires. The window to prevent the worst outcomes is rapidly closing. In early 2025, the World Meteorological Organization reported that 2024 was the hottest year on record (WMO 2025a). This was likely hotter than the peak of the last interglacial, roughly 125,000 years ago (Gulev et al. 2021, Kaufman and McKay 2022). Rising levels of greenhouse gases remain the driving force behind this escalation. These recent developments emphasize the extreme insufficiency of global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mark the beginning of a grim new chapter for life on Earth.

In this report, we seek to speak candidly to fellow scientists, policymakers, and humanity at large. Given our roles in research and higher education, we share an ethical responsibility to sound the alarm about escalating global risks and to take collective action in confronting them with clarity and resolve. We show evidence of accelerated warming and document changes in Earth's vital signs. These indicators build on the framework introduced by Ripple and colleagues (2020), who issued a declaration of a climate emergency that has garnered support from approximately 15,800 scientist signatories worldwide. We also examine recent extreme weather disasters and discuss physical and social risks. The final sections of the report include suggested climate mitigation strategies and the broader societal transformations needed to secure a livable future. A summary of key findings is given in box 1.

Key Highlights. (See main text for data sources.)
  • •
    The year 2024 set a new mean global surface temperature record, signaling an escalation of climate upheaval.
  • •
    Currently, 22 of 34 planetary vital signs are at record levels.
  • •
    Warming may be accelerating, likely driven by reduced aerosol cooling, strong cloud feedbacks, and a darkening planet.
  • •
    The human enterprise is driving ecological overshoot. Population, livestock, meat consumption, and gross domestic product are all at record highs, with an additional approximately 1.3 million humans and 0.5 million ruminants added weekly.
  • •
    In 2024, fossil fuel energy consumption hit a record high, with coal, oil, and gas all at peak levels. Combined solar and wind consumption also set a new record but was 31 times lower than fossil fuel energy consumption.
  • •
    So far, in 2025, atmospheric carbon dioxide is at a record level, likely worsened by a sudden drop in land carbon uptake partly due to El Niño and intense forest fires.
  • •
    Global fire-related tree cover loss reached an all-time high, with fires in tropical primary forest up 370% over 2023, fueling rising emissions and biodiversity loss.
  • •
    Ocean heat content reached a record high, contributing to the largest coral bleaching event ever recorded, affecting 84% of reef area.
  • •
    So far, in 2025, Greenland and Antarctic ice mass are at record lows. The Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets may be passing tipping points, potentially committing the planet to meters of sea-level rise.
  • •
    Deadly and costly disasters surged, with Texas flooding killing at least 135 people, the California wildfires alone exceeding US$250 billion in damages, and climate-linked disasters since 2000 globally reaching more than US$18 trillion.
  • •
    Climate change is endangering thousands of wild animal species; more than 3500 species are now at risk and there is new evidence of climate-related animal population collapses.
  • •
    The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation is weakening, threatening major climate disruptions.
  • •
    Climate change is already affecting water quality and availability, undermining agricultural productivity, sustainable water management, and increasing the risk of water-related conflict.
  • •
    A dangerous hothouse Earth trajectory may now be more likely due to accelerated warming, self-reinforcing feedbacks, and tipping points.
  • •
    Climate change mitigation strategies are available, cost effective, and urgently needed. From forest protection and renewables to plant-rich diets, we can still limit warming if we act boldly and quickly.
  • •
    Social tipping points can drive rapid change. Even small, sustained nonviolent movements can shift public norms and policy, highlighting a vital path forward amid political gridlock and ecological crisis.
  • •
    There is a need for systems change that links individual technical approaches with broader societal transformation, governance, policies, and social movements.
 
Last edited:
Red said:
www.space.com

Is Earth 'on the brink'? 2024 was likely our planet’s hottest year in 125,000 years

Is Earth 'on the brink'? 2024 was likely our planet’s hottest year in 125,000 years
www.space.com www.space.com

2024 may have been Earth's hottest year in at least 125,000 years, according to a grim climate report published Wednesday (Oct. 29) that describes our world as "on the brink" and warns its "vital signs are flashing red," with nearly two-thirds showing record highs.

Last year had already been declared the hottest on record (those records dating back to the late 1800s), following 2023 — which used to be considered the warmest year in human history. The year 2024 also capped a decade of record-breaking heat fueled by human-caused climate change, continuing a trend that began in 2015. Now, the new report, led by researchers at Oregon State University, suggests the year was also likely hotter than the peak of the last interglacial period, roughly 125,000 years ago, when natural shifts in Earth's orbit and tilt made the planet warmer and sea levels several meters higher. That result is based on previously published climate studies.

The study concludes that 22 of 34 measurable indicators of Earth's health, including greenhouse gas levels, ocean heat, sea ice and deforestation, have reached record extremes. The authors warn that these trends suggest humanity is in a "state of ecological overshoot," consuming the planet's resources faster than they can be replenished.
————————————————————

The state of the planet report:


We are hurtling toward climate chaos. The planet's vital signs are flashing red. The consequences of human-driven alterations of the climate are no longer future threats but are here now. This unfolding emergency stems from failed foresight, political inaction, unsustainable economic systems, and misinformation. Almost every corner of the biosphere is reeling from intensifying heat, storms, floods, droughts, or fires. The window to prevent the worst outcomes is rapidly closing. In early 2025, the World Meteorological Organization reported that 2024 was the hottest year on record (WMO 2025a). This was likely hotter than the peak of the last interglacial, roughly 125,000 years ago (Gulev et al. 2021, Kaufman and McKay 2022). Rising levels of greenhouse gases remain the driving force behind this escalation. These recent developments emphasize the extreme insufficiency of global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mark the beginning of a grim new chapter for life on Earth.

In this report, we seek to speak candidly to fellow scientists, policymakers, and humanity at large. Given our roles in research and higher education, we share an ethical responsibility to sound the alarm about escalating global risks and to take collective action in confronting them with clarity and resolve. We show evidence of accelerated warming and document changes in Earth's vital signs. These indicators build on the framework introduced by Ripple and colleagues (2020), who issued a declaration of a climate emergency that has garnered support from approximately 15,800 scientist signatories worldwide. We also examine recent extreme weather disasters and discuss physical and social risks. The final sections of the report include suggested climate mitigation strategies and the broader societal transformations needed to secure a livable future. A summary of key findings is given in box 1.

Key Highlights. (See main text for data sources.)
  • •
    The year 2024 set a new mean global surface temperature record, signaling an escalation of climate upheaval.
  • •
    Currently, 22 of 34 planetary vital signs are at record levels.
  • •
    Warming may be accelerating, likely driven by reduced aerosol cooling, strong cloud feedbacks, and a darkening planet.
  • •
    The human enterprise is driving ecological overshoot. Population, livestock, meat consumption, and gross domestic product are all at record highs, with an additional approximately 1.3 million humans and 0.5 million ruminants added weekly.
  • •
    In 2024, fossil fuel energy consumption hit a record high, with coal, oil, and gas all at peak levels. Combined solar and wind consumption also set a new record but was 31 times lower than fossil fuel energy consumption.
  • •
    So far, in 2025, atmospheric carbon dioxide is at a record level, likely worsened by a sudden drop in land carbon uptake partly due to El Niño and intense forest fires.
  • •
    Global fire-related tree cover loss reached an all-time high, with fires in tropical primary forest up 370% over 2023, fueling rising emissions and biodiversity loss.
  • •
    Ocean heat content reached a record high, contributing to the largest coral bleaching event ever recorded, affecting 84% of reef area.
  • •
    So far, in 2025, Greenland and Antarctic ice mass are at record lows. The Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets may be passing tipping points, potentially committing the planet to meters of sea-level rise.
  • •
    Deadly and costly disasters surged, with Texas flooding killing at least 135 people, the California wildfires alone exceeding US$250 billion in damages, and climate-linked disasters since 2000 globally reaching more than US$18 trillion.
  • •
    Climate change is endangering thousands of wild animal species; more than 3500 species are now at risk and there is new evidence of climate-related animal population collapses.
  • •
    The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation is weakening, threatening major climate disruptions.
  • •
    Climate change is already affecting water quality and availability, undermining agricultural productivity, sustainable water management, and increasing the risk of water-related conflict.
  • •
    A dangerous hothouse Earth trajectory may now be more likely due to accelerated warming, self-reinforcing feedbacks, and tipping points.
  • •
    Climate change mitigation strategies are available, cost effective, and urgently needed. From forest protection and renewables to plant-rich diets, we can still limit warming if we act boldly and quickly.
  • •
    Social tipping points can drive rapid change. Even small, sustained nonviolent movements can shift public norms and policy, highlighting a vital path forward amid political gridlock and ecological crisis.
  • •
    There is a need for systems change that links individual technical approaches with broader societal transformation, governance, policies, and social movements.
Click to expand...
you all should definitely listen to the billionaires that take private jets everyday all over the world and have 6 mansions and seriously reduce your carbon footprint. You should turn your thermostat off, you should skip showers, and you should not travel or eat meat. The democrat perspective that they hate you and they want you to unalive yourself makes total sense when you think about it from a climate change perspective.
 
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