As part of my research for another project, I found myself today somewhat astonished by this story:
From Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory:
New research suggests that ocean temperature and associated sea level increases between 1961 and 2003 were 50 percent larger than estimated in the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report.... The research corrected for small but systematic biases recently discovered in the global ocean observing system, and uses statistical techniques that "infill" information in data-sparse regions. The results increase scientists' confidence in ocean observations and further demonstrate that climate models simulate ocean temperature variability more realistically than previously thought.
50 percent LARGER than estimated in the IPCC report!?!
This is more distressing than even these other recent "much faster than expected" stories:
Faster, warmer, deeper, more profound.
The oceans store more than 90 percent of the heat in the Earth’s climate system and act as a temporary buffer against the effects of climate change. The ocean warming and thermal expansion rates are 50 percent larger than previous estimates for the upper 700 meters of oceans, and greater than that for the upper 300 meters.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak," Gleckler said. "Our ability to quantify structural uncertainties in observationally based estimates is critically important. This study represents important progress."
Yeah. And also represents a freaking horror show.
It is quite possible that we'll see the Northwest Passage opening "much faster than anticipated." That we'll see weather extremes "much faster than anticipated" (as we're seeing in the second 500-year-flood in fifteen years, in the midwest). That we'll see "much faster than anticipated" sealife collapses.
Yet our politicians, afraid of being called a "tree hugger" or a "Gore-wannabe" or (horrors) "an anti-business idealist," are not raising a ruckus. The cost of responding to these things could beggar the Iraq War, and every day we delay is another debt we load on our children and grandchildren.
Next January is later than it should be, as the time to start addressing what we can. The sooner we militate for significant action, the less chaos will ensue.
I'm radically changing the ways I use energy, plastic, and resources. But while individual action is valuable, larger-scale shifts must be started. Profound changes in the way research into sustainable energy is funded, and carbon-based energy is taxed and subsidized, are required. Financial incentives at the consumer, producer, and industrial levels are required. Massive public outcry is required.
We need to get rolling.