Global Climate Change, not terrorism, is the greatest threat to our existence. The Earth's climate is maintained by a very delicate balance of systems which science has proven are changing and could cause abrupt climate changes the likes of which will threaten life as we know it. We are still in the thawing stages of an ice age--an extinction event which only a few thousand years ago (a blink in Earth history) blanketed portions of the United States in kilometer thick sheets of ice.
Confusion of late stems from the threats of Global Warming being touted while at the same time talk of a 'Little Ice Age' being imminent. The truth is that both are happening simultaneously and the cause is the warming of our planet. The Gulf Stream or the 'Conveyer Belt' as it is nicknamed is a massive stream of tropical sea water that flows from the Caribbean up through Europe and into the Arctic where it sinks and returns South causing a natural pumping action. This warm Caribbean water which the Gulf Stream carries past Europe is directly responsible for their habitable climate...a climate that would otherwise be similar to Siberia because of their equatorial similarities. The Gulf Stream creates a paradox. For thousands of years the Earth has been trapped in a cycle of heating and freezing that is directly linked to the Gulf Stream.
While the jury is still out on the degree of human influence on current trends towards warming, the data seems to suggest that we are a major contributor to the problem. However, it must be recognized that the Earth has heated and cooled to a variety of inhospitable climates throughout history without the influence of man. While politicians, environmentalists and scientists fight over whom to point the finger at thousands of people are beginning to die. Tsunamis, hurricanes, droughts, earthquakes and rising seas are certain to escalate in both frequency and intensity in the coming years. Something needs to be done.
While the corporate energy executives and their political lobbyists scramble to divert public awareness on the topic Mother Nature continues to raise her voice. What is the point of making billions of dollars if you are not going to have a planet worth living on? I have pondered this question, and upon review of current trends, I can only conclude that greed breeds ignorance of epic proportions. I wouldn't be surprised if the influential people ignoring this trend are held accountable as the numbers affected become millions and billions. I am afraid this day of reckoning with Mother Nature is upon us. While this opinion may provoke skepticism, fear and denial it is worth investigating. The days of watching others (Tuvala, Indonesia, Africa) bow to the wrath of Mother Nature are over. Look around.
The Gulf Stream is grinding to a halt. A thirty percent reduction has recently been measured and scientists don't know if the Gulf Stream will shut off (as it has done hundreds of times in the past) in a matter of days, years or decades. They just don't know. If, or more likely when, it does shut down most of Europe and much of the US would be plunged ruthlessly into an extreme arctic climate. I hope I have your attention.
The amount of unanswered questions is unsettling. Faulty scientific predictions make it very difficult for humanity to prepare. For instance, The Ross Ice Shelf in the Arctic which was held at bay by the enormous Larsen-A and Larsen-B ice sheets is now exposed. When Larsen-A broke from the Ross Sheet in 1995 science assured us that the Larsen-B sheet (which acted as buffer for more threatening LAND BASED enormous glacier ice) was comprised of 10,000 year old ice and would not move in our lifetime. Subsequently, this massive Larsen-B icesheet broke off in 2002. It was the size of Rhode Island. At the time science speculated that it would float in place for decades. It melted in 35 days. Now the worlds most enormous glaciers (thousands of square kilometers of ice) are speeding (geologically speaking) towards the sea undeterred. Science has assured us that it will take decades or centuries before these threats would contribute considerably to sea levels but I do not share their optimism. The Western Antarctic Ross Ice Shelf alone, if released into the sea, would raise sea levels up to twenty feet. Greenland's rapid melting is another matter entirely.
Further scientific study and immediate action are our only hopes for a solution. For whatever reason (funding, politics, national security) science has not been able to accurately provide humanity with enough hard science to prepare ourselves for the future. A scramble is going on right now to catch-up but the consensus is that it is too little too late. I don't know about you but it doesn't sit well with me. If our world leaders choose to turn a blind eye to the greatest threat we as a planet have ever faced; we must take action and take it now. The threat has been understated and ignored for decades and is no longer something that may happen if we don't act. It is happening NOW.
For the full article complete with nine steps to take to prepare yourself visit http://www.yourcreditcures.com and click on the iceberg link. You will be directed to the article and most comprehensive climate change data available on-line. When he's not trying to save the world Tad MacPherson works as a Credit Specialist at YourCreditCures.com .
Written By: Tad MacPherson
