Thursday, April 11, 2013

Terrifying New Math

Author Bill McKibben provides a simple view of Global Warming in his article Global Warming's Terrifying New Math. It all revolves around 3 numbers.


2°C - the amount of global warming to cause catasrophic climate change

565 - the gigatonnes of carbon pollution that would cause 2°C of warming

2,795 - the gigatonnes companies have ready to burn (in coal, gas and oil)

Obviously, the third number is a lot bigger than the second. McKibben compares this to drinking 30 beers and still intending to drive home (5 times over the limit). Clearly, this is a dangerous situation.

Meanwhile, companies are spending millions each day to find even more carbon to burn (to add to the 2,795). You can see why people are very very concerned.

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