Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Buildup Unlikely to Spark Abrupt Climate Change

Newswise — There have been instances in Earth history when average temperatures have changed rapidly, as much as 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit) over a few decades, and some have speculated the same could happen again as the atmosphere becomes overloaded with carbon dioxide.

New research lends support to evidence from numerous recent studies that suggest abrupt climate change appears to be the result of alterations in ocean circulation uniquely associated with ice ages.

“There might be other mechanisms by which greenhouse gases may cause an abrupt climate change, but we know of no such mechanism from the geological record,” said David Battisti, a University of Washington atmospheric sciences professor.

Content : Rich countries leave poor to pick up the tab at Bonn climate talks: FoE

"If developed countries don't increase their reduction targets to 40% by 2020 without offsets they are risking 5C of warming and a planetary emergency." Mr Rehman said.
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"Perhaps the biggest contribution the US government could make to these talks would be to cut the carbon of sending people to negotiations who refuse to negotiate." Ms Horner added.

Duane Elgin: Why Climate Change Requires A Consciousness Change

Here is how James Speth, former head of the Council on Environmental Quality and a top Washington policy maker, describes the up-leveling of perception required: "I used to think the top environmental problems facing the world were global warming, environmental degradation, and eco-system collapse.. but I was wrong. The real problem is not those three items, but greed, selfishness and apathy. And for that we need a spiritual and cultural transformation." The transformation that Speth speaks about is a shift to a higher level of attention and seeing the world from a more objective vantage point with a witnessing or reflective consciousness.

Outsourcing Carbon Emissions

Myron Ebell, director of energy and global warming policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, says, "This shows the difficulty in reducing emissions overall. It's like squeezing a balloon -- squeeze on one end, and the other end blows up."