The world's leading climate scientists will soon report that global warming could cause the Earth's temperature to rise to levels far higher than previously predicted. Under the auspices of the United Nations' forthcoming and most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, scientists will report they:

"are now unable to place a reliable upper limit on how quickly the atmosphere will warm as carbon dioxide levels increase. The report draws together research over the past five years and will be presented to national governments in April and made public next year. It raises the possibility of the Earth's temperature rising well above the ceiling quoted in earlier accounts... Such an outcome would have severe consequences, such as the collapse of the Greenland ice sheet and disruption of the Gulf Stream ocean current... The scientific agenda has moved from improving the predictions to thinking about what are the chances of something awful happening."

The new IPCC report will underpin international talks on how to cut greenhouse gas emissions when the first phase of the Kyoto protocol expires in 2012.

There has long been discussions at international climate forums that abrupt and runaway climate change was a real possibility as feedbacks such as methane hydrates, melting permafrost and forest dieback caused by initial climate changes resulted in further carbon dioxide release. These concerns were excised from early reports after vigorous lobbying by the oil industry and their governments they control such as the U.S. and Saudia Arabia.

To the United States of Exxon, I sure hope those extra years of windfall profits were worth jeopardizing the prospects of stabilizing the Earth's climate. You have acted criminally and will be punished for your crimes.

Posted by Dr. Glen Barry | Permalink | Comments (1) | More on climate science abrupt change

The severe drought ravaging Southern Great Britain is undoubtedly related to global warming. Water - either its uncharacteristic scarcity or over-abundance - may well be the first major way in which the deadliness of abrupt runaway climate change exhibits itself. No water, no life. It is that simple. And climate change confounds the patterns that have brought adequate, dependable water supplies to most human settlements. Oh we are in for some deep shit if we do not aggressively target adequate climate change policies.

Drought-Hit Britain May Face Water Rationing

Britons must use less water or face rationing as the country suffers its worst drought in a century, the head of the country's Environment Agency said on Friday.

Posted by Dr. Glen Barry | Permalink | Comments (3) | More on climate change drought

We are now witnessing in East Africa what happens when climate change, over-population and habitat loss collide. Resulting severe drought, where people are drinking their own piss to survive, foreshadows humanity's future (or lack thereof). Global ecological collapse is being manifested in numerous other ways ranging from melting glaciers to super storms to mudslides. By destroying the Earth humanity is ensuring it has no future. The task of our time is to stop the destruction, restore the damage, using every tool at our disposal to seek global ecological sustainability. It will not be easy, we are likely to fail, but what other choice do we have but to try?

Posted by Dr. Glen Barry | Permalink | Comments (9) | More on climate change ecosystem collapse

Greenland's ice caps are melting twice as fast as previously thought. This finding was revealed by the scientist that the Bush administration has been censoring. Climate is changing abruptly and is moving into runaway mode. I saw a brief mention that U.S. average temperatures in January were 8.5F degrees above the long-term average. There is something deadly in the air as climate is spinning dangerously out of control. Meanwhile our leaders are doing nothing. Is it over?

Posted by Dr. Glen Barry | Permalink | Comments (1) | More on climate change abrupt

This just in from Australia - CSIRO climate change scientists were reprimanded and encouraged to resign after speaking out on global warming. This comes fast on the heels of reporting that in the United States NOAA has been found to be following NASA in censoring climate scientists. It is no coincidence that both Australia and the United States are the only major developed powers that have not signed Kyoto. The democratic system has broken down in the face of abrupt and run-away climate change. Global survival will depend upon reforming or supplanting political systems that stymie rapid scientifically based policy responses.

Posted by Dr. Glen Barry | Permalink | Comments (5) | More on climate science politics

Thank God, some evanglicals are as concerned about this life as the next, as churches become increasingly involved in fighting global warming.

Posted by Dr. Glen Barry | Permalink | Comments (1) | More on climate evangelicals

A key U.S. senator called on the Bush administration on Monday to open global climate talks, warning that the dangers of global warming were not only a threat to the United States but India and China as well.

Posted by Dr. Glen Barry | Permalink | Comments (3) | More on climate negotiations

New advanced electricity meters are debuting in California. The devices allow customers to monitor in real time power consumption and its price. This is one of many reasonable, sensible actions that can be taken to dramatically increase energy efficiency and conservation.

Posted by Dr. Glen Barry | Permalink | Comments (0) | More on energy efficiency