From Research Finds That Earth’s Climate is Approaching ‘Dangerous’ Point:

NASA and Columbia University Earth Institute research finds that human-made greenhouse gases have brought the Earth’s climate close to critical tipping points, with potentially dangerous consequences for the planet.

From a combination of climate models, satellite data, and paleoclimate records the scientists conclude that the West Antarctic ice sheet, Arctic ice cover, and regions providing fresh water sources and species habitat are under threat from continued global warming. The research appears in the current issue of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

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However, the study finds much less severe climate change — one-quarter to one-third that of the “business-as-usual” scenario — when greenhouse gas emissions follow the alternative scenario. “Climate effects may still be substantial in the ‘alternative scenario’, but there is a better chance to adapt to the changes and find other ways to further reduce the climate change,” said Sato.

While the researchers say it is still possible to achieve the “alternative scenario”, they note that significant actions will be required to do so. Emissions must begin to slow soon. “With another decade of ‘business-as-usual’ it becomes impractical to achieve the ‘alternative scenario’ because of the energy infrastructure that would be in place,” says Hansen.

First, note that one of the authors is James Hansen, one of the handful of people I consider to be “must listen to” individuals.

Second, ten freakin’ years??? That’s much, much closer than anyone would like. (Except for the Enviro Apocalypticon miscreants, of course.)

Third, the West Antarctic ice sheet being in danger is a very big deal. In terms of sea level rise, a complete melt of this formation works out to about 6 meters.

Fourth, the global warming deniers will no doubt cook up reasons why the world really isn’t warming or it won’t be bad or whatever.

Fifth, aren’t you just ticked pink that Bush is in power until January 2009, guaranteeing that nothing of substance will be done about global warming on the federal level in the US? I’m so happy I could scream.