The global output of heat-trapping carbon dioxide has jumped by the biggest amount ever, according to a new assessment that indicates that efforts to reduce global warming aren’t having much effect.
As The Associated Press reports, “The new figures for 2010 mean that levels of greenhouse gases are higher than the worst-case scenario outlined by climate experts just four years ago.”
Gregg Marland, a professor of geology at Appalachian State University, called the latest figures a “monster” increase. Marland, who helped make the calculations for the Department of Energy, said extra pollution from China and the U.S. accounted for more than half of the rise in emissions.
According to DOE calculations, worldwide about 564 million more tons of carbon were emitted in 2010 than in 2009, an increase of 6 percent. The additional amount exceeds the individual emissions of all but three countries – China, the U.S. and India. Those three nations are the world’s top producers of greenhouse gases.
“It’s a big jump,” said Tom Boden, head of the DOE’s Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center.
Boden said increased travel and manufacturing in 2010 – indicators of an improving world economy – resulted in the use of more fossil fuels, the biggest contributor to global warming.
The 2010 calculations add a new perspective on what the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimated in its last comprehensive report in 2007, when it forecast global temperatures rising between 4 and 11 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century. In the past, skeptics of global warming have criticized the panel for being too alarmist. But Boden said the new calculations indicate that the panel’s past projections were too low.
Granger Morgan, a professor who heads the engineering and public policy department at Carnegie Mellon University, called the findings “really dismaying. We are building up a horrible legacy for our children and grandchildren.”
ROBERT T. NELSON
Related Posts:
California Adopts Cap-and-Trade Plan to Combat Climate Change
National Research Council Urges Action to Combat Climate Change
Against a Rising Tide of Denial, Climate Scientists Strike Back
Climate Change Soup of the Day:
Scientist: What can I get you sir?
Voter: What’s the soup of the day?
Scientist: Global warming is our soup of the day kind sir.
Voter: Good, I’ll have the soup, but this time can you heat it up a little please? It was stone cold last time.
Scientist: Very well. I still get paid, cold or “unstoppably” warm.
Voter: Will you be having this same soup of the day next week? I just love it.
Scientist: Next week? We don’t know what’s happening next week or this coming weekend but we DO know what is happening 50 years from now.
Voter: How many climate scientists does it take to change a light bulb?
Scientist: I don’t know sir, why don’t you just go ahead and tell me.
Voter: None.
Scientist: None?
Voter: Ya none. BUT they DO have consensus that it will change?
Scientist: Ha ha sir. Do you know why the climate change believer crossed the road?
Voter: No, why?
Scientist: Because he left his purse on the other side.
Voter: Unscramble these letters; “K2TYto
Scientist: B#%$ me?
Voter: Close. No its Y2Kyto.
Scientists: What’s that?
Voter: We thought you would know.
Voter: Do you know what the new definition of a climate change denier is?
Scientist: Anyone who isn’t conformist, obedient and believes in “Who” is saying what, not “what” is being said?
Voter: No but close. The new denier is anyone who still thinks voters will vote yes to taxing the air and to authorize bank funded and corporate run carbon trading markets ruled by politicians being left in charge of managing the temperature of the planet Earth.
Scientist: Whatever! Oh look, here is your soup sir.
Voter: There is a fly in my soup.
Scientist; Strange, considering you eat up anything else we dish out at you mindless believers.
Voter: Whatever. Just bring me my roast.
Scientist: No problem, here is your main course sir.
Voter: The roast is really hot but the parsnips are cold.
Scientist: And thus, clear evidence sir that it IS actually warming.
Voter: Complete this sentence; “CO2 Climate Crisis Science has done to science, liberalism and journalism what suicide bombers and nasty priests did for………….?
Scientist: Religion?
Voter: Correct! Good job girl!
Scientist: Yer too kind, jerk!
Voter: What’s the difference between a scientist and a lab coat consultant?
Scientist: Oh DO tell me!
Voter: Scientist is easier to say.
Scientist: At least it’s better than being an unconscionable lazy copy and paste news editor!
Voter and Scientist: Hahahahahahahahahahha!
Scientist: Security! SECURITY!!!!!