Reply #3: it seems to be consistent with theory and models [View All]

We know a lot more than we did 20 years ago. We certainly know enough to start taking action, both on the adaptation side (preparing for more severe weather events) and mitigation (decreasing emissions).

The thing is, the steps we'd need to take, in both areas, are also ones which would make us more secure, better-prepared for natural disasters, with a more robust economy, and healthier population (since air quality is being affected by the same processes that produce greenhouse gases). There is a "no regrets" strategy being proposed by many global warming researchers which would not involve anything as radical as abandoning fossil fuels overnight -- often using existing technology and legal mechanisms (more access to public transit, more sensible urban planning, etc.)