The U.N. has just released a new report on global warming which claims with 95% confidence that humans have caused over half global warming. This assertion comes at the same time that warming estimates have been revised down from the 2007 report. The report said that the hiatus in warming that has been observed in the past 15 years is the result of a natural variation and will not last. This study, like all studies by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was directed at policymakers around the globe.
The report predicted that the temperatures from 2016-35 could be 0.3-0.7 degree Celsius (0.5-1.3 degree(s) Fahrenheit) warmer than 1986-2005. By the end of the 21st century, the sea levels could rise between 26 and 82 cm. The worst case warming scenario was lowered from the 2007 report. The new worst case scenario puts global temperatures up 4.8 degrees C by the end of the century, compared to 6 degrees C in the last report. The report concludes that, “warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and since the 1950s, many of the observed changes are unprecedented over decades to millennia.”
The latest report has also been met with some skepticism. Dr. Richard Lindzen of M.I.T. says, “I think that the latest IPCC report has truly sunk to level of hilarious incoherence.” He goes on to say that “they are proclaiming increased confidence in their models as the discrepancies between their models and observations increase.” According to the models, temperatures should have risen by 0.2 and 0.9 degree C since 1990 when in reality they only increased by 0.1 degree C. An E.P.A. report on global warming concluded that “given the downward trend in temperatures since 1998 (which some think will continue until at least 2030), there is no particular reason to rush into decisions based upon a scientific hypothesis that does not appear to explain most of the available data.”
This report comes as the U.S. prepares to put heavy regulations on coal power plants across the nation. The 1,100 pounds of CO2 per megawatt hour of electricity produced limit about to take effect is a full 700 pounds less than the most advanced, efficient coal plant operating in the U.S. Even if the new technology were invented, the process alone requires a coal-fired plant to burn a quarter more coal to handle the additional energy requirement. Additionally, it would require filling 30 million barrels with liquid CO2 every day, amounting to one and a half times the volume of crude oil our country consumes. The effect of these new regulations will be widespread, since coal power plants produce almost 40% of U.S. electricity. They also account for about 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions, or about 8% of global emissions.
Additional Resources
Scientists More Convinced Mankind is Main Cause of Warming: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/28/us-climate-ipcc-idUSBRE98L0KD20130928?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=992637
The Wall Street Journal, U.N. Affirms Human Role in Global Warming: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303342104579100593218822558.html#articleTabs%3Darticle%26commentId%3D6386929
The Daily Caller, Top M.I.T. Scientist: Newest U.N. Climate Report is ‘Hilariously’ Flawed: http://dailycaller.com/2013/09/29/top-mit-scientist-un-climate-report-is-hilariously-flawed/
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Climate Change 2013: http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/#.Uknn5j9L4rM
About, What’s Wrong with Grass-Fed Beef? http://animalrights.about.com/od/animalsusedforfood/a/WrongGrassFedBeef.htm
American Nutrition Association, Eat Organic Food and Combat Global Warming: http://americannutritionassociation.org/newsletter/eat-organic-food-combat-global-warming
Care 2, Five Myths About Grass-Fed Beef: http://www.care2.com/causes/5-myths-about-grass-fed-beef.html
Forbes, E.P.A. Mandates That New Coal Plants Prevent Nonexistent Climate Problem with Unavailable Solution: http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2013/10/01/epa-mandates-that-new-coal-plants-prevent-nonexistent-climate-problem-with-unavailable-solution/
The Boston Globe, Why is the E.P.A. Trying to Kill Coal? http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2013/09/29/the-epa-coal-assassination-scheme/Aperj5YODtaAXe3stBEjGK/story.html
The New York Times, E.P.A. Rules on Emissions at Existing Coal Plants Might Give States Leeway: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/business/energy-environment/epa-rules-on-emissions-at-existing-coal-plants-might-give-states-leeway.html
WSB Radio, ‘Climate Refugee’ Fighting to Stay in New Zealand: http://www.wsbradio.com/ap/ap/environment/climate-refugee-fighting-to-stay-in-new-zealand/nbCBR/?ecmp=wsbam_social_facebook_201312578974
