The world may have less time than it thinks on climate change
Tim Palmer warns that climate change could accelerate alarmingly if it disrupts the atmospheric circulation patterns that govern where and how anticyclones form. Drawing on brutal summer weather in southern England—heatwaves, record droughts, buckled train tracks, and falling crop yields—he argues that the current pace of warming may be underestimated, leaving the world with less time to act than commonly assumed.
If it is affecting circulation patterns that determine how and where anticyclones form, it could accelerate alarmingly.
- monneyboi
Every prediction we make seems to be reached sooner than expected. There is so many effects that we don't understand yet.
Keeping with the "this is surprising" narrative, or like this title, implying that we have any time at all, is not helping.
I would expect a less naive title from a platform like the economist.
- unsupp0rted
I’m not sure: when I was in high school / university it was well understood that places like Florida would be under water and unlivable by now.
Already then you could find this exact article title in a dozen publications per year, especially in academic publications. Al Gore made a third career out of it.
It was alarmist and too soon then but it’s not alarmist and too soon now?
Nobody upvotes an article titled “Things are about 0.5% more concerning than they were two decades ago”
- talon8635
Birth rates are in decline. The global population is estimated to peak in the 2080s. I suspect that could be later than reality as the endless doom (like this article) inspires more and more people to not have kids. Then as the population declines precipitously, nature takes back over and begins resolving the problem itself.
- saddat
Discussion is pointless . -All- of it. Germany has reduced emissions by what, 20% ? It costs its world industrial leadership . No AI to power by electricity . And Germany has 3% of world CO2 output . Meanwhile , China emissions exploding almost exponentially , as they produce all the good and bad things for you .
- cautiouscat
I recognize this is deeply cynical and definitely doomerist. What can I as an individual actually do to stop this? Why should I even bother reading articles like this at this point? I can't do anything. I can't action it. I can collect my recycling, pop solar panels on my roof and be the most carbon footprint conscious person and it wouldn't move the needle an atom's width.
Politicians don't care, and the ones that do can't make a difference either. Corporations definitely don't care. I can go protest, and that gets a lot of media attention but it doesn't change a voter's mind when their main concern is who gets to play in school sports.
I know this is vitriolic, but I am genuinely curious about it. What can I do? What can I do outside of putting my ballot in the box and hoping something changes?
- r0ckarong
As long as there is no accountability for politicians, we will always have at least as much time as the next guy plans to stay in power.
- sho_hn
It's strange that anyone's still thinking there's "still time until we have to act". Is this really the average view out there?
- BonerWiener
Archive link? Paywall blocks content