Climate Records have tumbled in 2016 in all the wrong ways
1. More frequent extremes of rainfall.
In 2016 there were four major storms in North America with an “annual exceedance probability” of one in 500 years. Our gradually warming atmosphere can hold more moisture, and as predicted we are seeing more frequent extremes of rainfall.
2. Carbon dioxide levels pass 400ppm.
In September, carbon dioxide in our atmosphere stayed above the 400 ppm mark. It’s unheard of that carbon dioxide levels remain this extreme during September when yearly atmospheric CO2 level minimums are usual. Scientists now warn this could be the first time that the whole year is over 400 ppm.
3. Artic sea ice is melting faster than ever.
The average extent of Arctic sea ice for every month has significantly dropped since 1978, when monitoring began. In addition to helping regulate Earth’s temperature, northern sea ice impacts Arctic communities, ecosystems, and the circulation of the ocean.
4. Warmest August (and September) on record.
August was record hot — and there’s a 99% chance 2016 will be the hottest year on record. That’s the 16th record in succession – and the last 36 YEARS have all been above the previous average
5. Warmest year ever?
2016 is again on track to be hottest year on record, as temperatures hit new highs in the first 9 months. La Nina should cool things next year, but who knows?
Comments
jamie says
What I find really weird is that our politicians seem prepared to make plans for future disasters that will cost vast amounts; but aren't prepared to spend a lot less today to prevent those disasters happening. It's like someone who won't spend out on a toothbrush but is instead putting their savings aside to pay for implants in the future. Or someone running towards a cliff edge shouting for a hang glider...
On the other hand, researchers asked athletes recently if they would be prepared to take an untraceable drug that would guarantee they would win Olympic gold, but would also kill them in five years. Half of them said they'd be prepared to take it.
The human race, it seems, is geared to instant gratification whatever the future consequences, and won't put up with a small cost now to avoid really big costs in the future. Looks like we'll have to wait for Natural Selection to take its path. Cockroaches and mosquitoes will outlive the human race; life will go on without us, and who is to say that would be a Bad Thing?
ecoreader says
Although progress in addressing climate change is still far too slow, we have come a long way in the last thirty years. It takes a long time to change attitudes and behaviour, not least because of the short-term approach (instant gratification) that is promoted and encouraged by consumer capitalism. It may well be that people will have to experience directly the effects of an extra three degrees of warming (what the United Nations Environment Programme is now predicting) before the scales fall from their eyes. And it will, of course, be then too late to mitigate all those effects. But good things are happening. The conversation has changed in recent years. People are mobilising. Investors are becoming concerned. Industry is pressing for alternatives which provide certainty. We have a powerful story to tell about what a sustainable future could look like, and why - environmentally, politically, emotionally - it is worth fighting for. The future is going to be very challenging, but if enough of us work at it, we may be able to hand over to successive generations a society which has enough resource (physical and psychological) and resilience to make a go of it. I think that worth the effort.
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