Climate change isn’t just global warming- it is the complete, irreparable flux in the climate that makes it entirely unpredictable, dangerous, and devastating. It has led to previous species becoming extinct up to 252 million years ago, when the Permian-Triassic extinctions occurred. Named ‘The Great Dying’, as 90% of species at the time died due to being unable to breathe, this change transpired due to millions of years of constant volcanic activity spewing methane, CO2, and other pollutants into the air. Before this occurred, ocean temperatures were similar to today- though they grew over 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), eliminating nearly all ocean species, and suffocating the rest of the planet.
The same is destined to happen to humanity and the life we know, now. In the current, without any policy change or action taken, the current carbon output is destined to reach 4 degrees Celsius by 2100, and 20% of the heating of the ocean in ‘The Great Dying’ will happen.¹ ²
While the numbers of heating may be small- after all, 4 degrees by 2100 is a long distance away, and surely preventable if we take action. However, we are already on track for around a minimum of 2 degrees of warming.³ ⁴
Even this, however, isn’t remotely safe. Two degrees will leave coastal cities uninhabitable, and others near the equator like them, though with heat baking them into the ground. Tens of millions of people will be forced to migrate to places like North America, which will be spared the brunt of it. Two degrees is considered the high end of things for the IPCC’s prediction, though that is if humanity applies conditions of control.⁵
Climate change isn’t just global warming- it is the complete, irreparable flux in the climate that makes it entirely unpredictable, dangerous, and devastating. It has led to previous species becoming extinct up to 252 million years ago, when the Permian-Triassic extinctions occurred. Named ‘The Great Dying’, as 90% of species at the time died due to being unable to breathe, this change transpired due to millions of years of constant volcanic activity spewing methane, CO2, and other pollutants into the air. Before this occurred, ocean temperatures were similar to today- though they grew over 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), eliminating nearly all ocean species, and suffocating the rest of the planet.
The same is destined to happen to humanity and the life we know, now. In the current, without any policy change or action taken, the current carbon output is destined to reach 4 degrees Celsius by 2100, and 20% of the heating of the ocean in ‘The Great Dying’ will happen.¹ ²
While the numbers of heating may be small- after all, 4 degrees by 2100 is a long distance away, and surely preventable if we take action. However, we are already on track for around a minimum of 2 degrees of warming.³ ⁴
Even this, however, isn’t remotely safe. Two degrees will leave coastal cities uninhabitable, and others near the equator like them, though with heat baking them into the ground. Tens of millions of people will be forced to migrate to places like North America, which will be spared the brunt of it. Two degrees is considered the high end of things for the IPCC’s prediction, though that is if humanity applies conditions of control.⁵ ⁶
C.L.E.A.N.E.R. Act - For the Future 