Climate Newsfeed
The Bottom Line
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere now stand at 385 parts per million (ppm), 67% above the average of the past 800,000 years, and 29% above the maximum of the same period.
- The rate of increase of CO2 is 2.2 ppm/year and getting faster.
- When atmospheric CO2 was above 450 ppm in the earth's history, the planet was completely ice-free, and sea level was 75 meters higher than today.
- The safe upper limit of atmospheric CO2 that we should aim to stay below is probably between 300-350 ppm. We have already overshot it and the longer we stay above that the more likely we will have set in motion long-term climate changes that will proceed beyond human control through powerful geophysical positive feedback mechanisms.
- Sudden warmings of a few degrees in the past have triggered mass extinctions. Current species extinction rate is estimated at 100 to 1000 times the average extinction rates in the evolutionary time scale of planet Earth. A mass extinction is underway and we have to reverse course quickly enough to prevent the worst.
The tipping point
Wed, 10/01/2008 - 16:10 — eli_beckerman
According to author Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point is that magic moment when an idea, trend or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.
Author David Korten says that we now face a choice between The Great Unraveling and the The Great Turning, where a spiritual and cultural awakening give way to a blossoming of economic and political changes that usher in a healthy, just, and secure future.
As you watch this video on climate tipping points, keep in mind the social tipping points that we can effect by both our personal and political actions.
Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip from Leo Murray on Vimeo.
SGF Mission Statement
The Secure Green Future (SGF) project educates, activates and empowers Massachusetts residents to effectively address the converging threats of climate change, resource depletion, and economic meltdown. We work to guide communities toward an essential economic transformation that will make possible a sustainable and just post-carbon future. SGF seeks to break the shackles of what is “politically feasible” and inspire change that addresses the magnitude and urgency of the dangers we are facing. We are committed to the principle of democratic empowerment as the most appropriate means for securing the just and sustainable future that we all deserve, and that is within our reach.
Landslide victories for the Secure Green Future ballot initiative!
Thanks to an incredible grassroots effort, the Secure Green Future ballot question has won in EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT it appeared, and by a total landslide margin! At least 153,252 voters said YES to a Secure Green Future on November 4th, netting the ballot question an astounding 81.44% of the vote!!!
Thanks to all of you who helped get these questions on the ballot and helped to spread the word to voters. Your efforts have paid off big time, and we now have clear evidence that the people of Massachusetts are READY for decisive action to fight climate change and energy uncertainty by transitioning to a secure, green economy NOW.
Comments
korten and gladwell
Two incredible authors and two incredible books.
Everyone who is concerned about the state of the world should read Korten's "The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community" It helped me to understand what exactly "The Empire" is, how it maintains itself, and how we are transforming it from within. A truly inspiring and immensely insightful work.
The "Tipping Point" is another one of my favorites, which I probably reference more than any other book. It is applicable to all forms of social epidemics, and helps us to understand how a few individuals can have a significant effect on a large population.
For someone everyone who knows something is wrong with the world, and wants to do something about it, I would strongly suggest reading both of these books.
Thanks so much for posting about them!
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