Global Climate Change: Preparing for World War III

http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/bob-burnett/46846/global-climate-change-preparing-for-world-war-iii

Global Climate Change: Preparing for World War III
by Bob Burnett | December 1, 2012 - 9:30am

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Hurricane Sandy was an impressive event but probably not sufficient to move Americans to make the sacrifices necessary to curtail global climate change. It's likely that 113th Congress will provide the funds necessary to repair the damage from Sandy, but not call for a national mobilization on the scale last seen when the U.S. entered World War II. After all, it's been 71 years since Americans were last called upon to sacrifice, and we're not used to to taking extreme steps to protect our selves and our families.

1. Abandon use of fossil fuel. Writing in Rolling Stone, environmentalist Bill McKibben observed that we can only emit 564 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050 and still have a reasonable chance of keeping the temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius. Last year we pumped in 31.6 gigatons; at this rate we'll exude 564 gigs by 2028. McKibben pointed out that the proven coal and oil and gas reserves of the fossil-fuel companies are 2975 gigatons , "the fossil fuel we're currently planning to burn." Individuals must stop using fossil fuel and the public has to shut down fossil-fuel companies.

2. Make dwellings energy efficient. Approximately, 78 percent of America's energy use is provided by fossil-fuel. As we stop using coal, oil, and gas, Americans will need renewables that, at the moment, are not available in sufficient quantities. A good first step is to make our homes more energy efficient by thorough insulation, use of a non-fossil-fuel heating system, and conversion to electricity supplied by a renewable source.

3. Move to secure locations. In June 2009, A White House task force produced "Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States." Among its 10 key findings, two relate to where we should live: "Coastal areas are at increasing risk from sea-level rise and storm surge." "Thresholds will be crossed, leading to large changes in climate and ecosystems;" for example, the "Dust Bowl" region will become more vulnerable to drought and wind. Three findings relate to food and safety: "Climate change will stress water resources." "Crop and livestock production will be increasingly challenged." "Risks to human health will increase. Harmful health impacts of climate change are related to increasing heat stress, waterborne diseases, poor air quality, extreme weather events, and diseases transmitted by insects and rodents." Many Americans will have to move away from coasts and storm areas to locations where food and water are available and safe.