Editor:
Ten thousand years ago civilization began, adapting to a climate with 270 ppm of CO2. Serious climate damage was witnessed before a safe upper limit for civilization was gauged at 350 ppm of carbon dioxide (CO2) by concerned climate scientists.
In 1987, we exceeded 350 parts per million (ppm).
Concern spurred the Rio Earth Summit five years later (1992). CO2 reached 356 ppm.
The Kyoto Protocol (1997) saw CO2 reaching 363 ppm. The Copenhagen Accord (2009) saw CO2 reaching 387.
Now, beyond 400 ppm at 0.08C, climate damages are shocking.
Incontrovertible destructive changes are occurring to our habitat by global warming from human activty.
CO2 rises exponentially with our exponentially growing population dependent on fossil-fueled exponentially growing economies.
By 2050, nine billion human beings are projected. Climate “tipping points” of no returns are in sight. At risk is our 10,000-year-old civilization.
Imagine humanity “existing” without the benefits of civilization for longer than a moment — for as long as forever.
Could we be satisfied “living” without civilization?
We guarantee the “unimaginable” for our children. Why?
Our legacy to keep global temperatures below 2C is unlikely.
Global CO2 levels will continue rising without discarding Canada’s pathological reliance on multi-national fossil-fuel industries.
Increasing released CO2 will exist for a 1,000 years or more.
Future generations are unable to turn the clock back to 2015.
No human being can benefit from reaching 600 ppm of CO2 in 85 years or sooner.
An inhospitable world of 4C-5C is possible in 35 years — probable in 85 years.
Consensus of our climate scientists “suggests” that catastrophic climate changes “might” still be avoidable, barely.
The climate conference in Paris 2015 will aim to realize the 2C global maximum for our future generations.
Respectfully, throughout 2015, before the Paris December climate summit, momentarily, eternally, regard the future of mankind’s 10,000-year-old civilization hanging in your balance sheet.
Herb Nakada
Williams Lake