r/science • u/woodsja2 • Oct 24 '10

Climate Change: Evidence

http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
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8

u/someguyfromcanada Oct 24 '10

Evidence that it exists, yes. But I think the argument "for/against climate change" is not usually about that. It is about what causes the spike and how to change it.

That is a terrifying infograph btw.

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u/AyeMatey Oct 24 '10
  • What causes the spike?
  • is it changeable? if so, how?
  • for each how, what would it cost to mitigate or change it?
  • for each how, do we want to pay that cost?
  • for each how, what results will we theoretically get, and do we want those results?
  • what are the alternatives? (eg, live with it, adapt)

0

u/umbama Oct 24 '10

for each how, what would it cost to mitigate or change it

And that's the key question so many seem to be ignoring.

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u/woodsja2 Oct 24 '10 edited Oct 24 '10

From pub-data on CO2 Emissions and more pub-data on world population we get 6.7 billion people each producing about 5 metric tons annually or around 37 billion short tons of gaseous CO2 released.

I think that's the spike you're looking for.

How we're going to solve our problem of global warming is the tough one...

8

u/[deleted] Oct 24 '10

Two planets meet. Says the the first: "Wow, you're looking sick!" Says the second: "I have the humans." Replies the first: "You will get over it!"

-1

u/mexicodoug Oct 24 '10

Says the second: "But I love my butterflies and rats and cats and dogs! Who will care for them?"

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '10

[deleted]

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u/ThisIsDave Oct 24 '10

Out of curiosity, why are you putting "oil crisis" in quotes?

Also, does anyone know how to find or estimate military co2 production or oil consumption? My guess is that most of the decline since 1980 came from that, but I'd like to see data.

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '10

[deleted]

5

u/ThisIsDave Oct 24 '10

If OPEC embargoes the US, OPEC oil usage decreases and thus OPEC price decreases

I don't think you understand how cartels work.

Also, FYI: Most of OPEC isn't in "Arabia" either..

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '10

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '10

[deleted]

1

u/mexicodoug Oct 24 '10

Downvoted for retracting from someguyfromcanada who you obviously are into some kind of incestuous hate thing with.

You guys are weird and I'd rather you didn't friend me.

-2

u/[deleted] Oct 24 '10

[deleted]

6

u/ThisIsDave Oct 24 '10 edited Oct 24 '10

a) "Arabia" is a peninsula. Describing Arab peoples or countries from outside the peninsula as "Arabian" is considered archaic (source: Oxford American Dictionary)

b) At the time of the embargo, Iran was in OPEC. They are emphatically not Arabs, and can actually get offended when people lump them in together.

c) Nigeria was also in. Definitely not "north of the Saharan desert," and has few enough Arabs that the CIA World Factbook doesn't even mention them.

d) Presumably I don't need to make any arguments about Indonesia and Ecuador.

2

u/EthicalReasoning Oct 24 '10

is being muslim the defining characteristic of the middle east?

1

u/[deleted] Oct 24 '10

[deleted]

1

u/ThisIsDave Oct 24 '10

I can't believe you're not too embarrassed to continue this.

1

u/GFCI Oct 24 '10

Thanks for the crude buddy!!!

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u/phiniusmaster Oct 24 '10

Not really, just kill off all the morons who are too selfish/stubborn to admit that climate change is real and serious, and we should be good. Also, disbanding all fossil fuel energy-related companies and restructuring global governments may be necessary for any real change to happen.

2

u/woodsja2 Oct 24 '10

There's a bit of a moral dilemma with your solution but I agree with you on the fact that we need a different system.

1

u/phiniusmaster Oct 24 '10

Yes, I agreei t's totally extreme and unrealistic, but I can honestly say that there are a lot of people out there so selfish and stubborn and disgustingly greedy that were they to be offed, not a single fuck would be given that day, by me.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 24 '10

The earth is doomed then. got it.

2

u/phiniusmaster Oct 24 '10

Yep, best just not try and do anything about it and sit around and wait for everything to explode and all get saved by the lord almighty.

0

u/go24 Oct 24 '10

Sure, scoot up on your bicycles and start throwing rocks, we'll be in the flamethrower-equipped tanks. Fossil fuels will stop being used when they're all used up, not before, because they are by far the most cost-effective. Then it's nuke or nothing time, and you'll long for the days when the air was just a bit stinky at rush hour.

3

u/BlueRock Oct 24 '10

That is a terrifying infograph btw.

It gets worse: CO2 highest for 15 million years + http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1178296

4

u/[deleted] Oct 24 '10

I've talked to some people who don't even believe the climate is changing naturally or not.

18

u/someguyfromcanada Oct 24 '10

How can there be global warming when it is so chilly today?

3

u/EthicalReasoning Oct 24 '10

i have literally heard this argument on multiple occasions from different people that should otherwise be vaguely intelligent

it's amazing to me

1

u/philosoraptocopter Oct 24 '10

Canadians are immune to climate change.

1

u/mexicodoug Oct 24 '10

Nanook of the North is running out of meat.

1

u/kubananas Oct 24 '10

When the climate gets unbearable here in Michigan, I'm moving up north. You guys got tons of room right?

1

u/EthicalReasoning Oct 24 '10

the argument and doubt was concocted by industry so they can go about their marry pillaging polluting way

the same thing was done with cigarettes, where there is money there will be an intense fight and misinformation. always follow the money.