NASA scientist James Hansen,
By on Sep 16th, 2006 at 4:10 pm
NASA scientist James Hansen,
considered one of the country’s leading climate researchers, “says the world has a 10-year window of opportunity to take decisive action on global warming and avert catastrophe.”
View Most Popular
Advertisement
What We're About
What We're Fighting For
What We're Fighting Against
Featured
Subscribe to the Progress Report
Topic CloudView topics sorted by popularity
Afghanistan
Bachmann
Beck
Boehner
Business
Cheney
Civil Rights
Congress
Corporate Ethics
Dobbs
Economy
Education
Election
Energy
Environment
Ethics
Fox News
Gingrich
Glenn Beck
Global Warming
Health Care
Immigration
International Relations
Justice
LGBT
Lieberman
Limbaugh
Media
Military
O'Reilly
Obama
Palin
Pelosi
Politics
Race
Radical Right
Religion
Sports
Steele
Stimulus
Tea Parties
Tea Party
Terrorism
Veterans
Women's Rights
Visit Our Affiliated Sites
Reports
In-depth studies on select topics
Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.
ArchivesBlog Roll
And that means action, not just deciding to take action. However, it should be bvious to everyone that the Neocons want no action, therefore VOTE DEMOCRATIC in November.
September 16th, 2006 at 4:25 pmI heard about this yesterday morning, and wrote about it on yesterday’s Think Fast.
I also heard this morning about how the artic ice has been melting much earlier for the past couple of years, and that experts say the window to turn things around is a decade or less.
Comment by trueblue — September 15, 2006 @ 9:41 am
You’re slipping…
Did you know Bush got all pissy at a news conference yesterday?
;) you guys just need a vacation!
I guess you guys are tired after the whole 9-11 push.
September 16th, 2006 at 4:28 pmNothing will be done. We’re DOOMED. Regrettable, but there it is. As a geologist, it helps to take the long view; after we’re gone something new will arise to take our place.
September 16th, 2006 at 4:37 pmidiot SUV driving Americans will deny that until the eve of destruction is dawning.
September 16th, 2006 at 5:22 pmAfter you take into account the fact that Bush will be in office for another two years, that only leaves us eight years to do anything meaningful in the United States.
September 16th, 2006 at 5:24 pmjunk science *roll*
http://www.theworstpresidentever.org
September 16th, 2006 at 5:33 pmGlobal warming denialists = flat earthists
http://www.theworstpresidentever.org
September 16th, 2006 at 5:35 pmImagine the increase in sales of scuba equipment as Wall Street becomes an underwater exchange. Sales of fiber optics will soar as the electronic support devices are moved to higher ground and information has to be sent to the underwater exchanges in optical form. Traffic problems in Manhattan will be alleviated because boats and ferries will be the only surface traffic and jaywalkers will be a thing of the past. The subways will have to rely on submarines (Several old boomers are available from the Russian Navy – ultimately solving overpopulation, the city Welfare problem and the Social Security deficit in one fell swoop.). Dwellers of basement tenements will develop gills in the first major evolutional change in human beings in 30,000 years.
September 16th, 2006 at 5:47 pmMr. Hansen’s comment sounds a little too precise. That said, our window of opportunity to fix things is just a likely to be shorter than 10 years as longer. Regardless, we need to address this RIGHT NOW.
Unfortunately, the federal government is doing NOTHING, and time’s a wasting…
September 16th, 2006 at 5:51 pmHe’s got 24 hours before Republicans swift boat him.
September 16th, 2006 at 6:05 pmIn the 60’s it was Dr. Paul Ehlrich giving us 10 years, (see the Population Bomb). In the 70’s it was “Global Cooling” (see time magazine) Now its “Global Warming” thats only giving us 10 years.
September 16th, 2006 at 6:07 pmThe earth has been warming since the last ice age you idiot! If not we would all be living under a glacier!
#12 Looks like they were right. Now we have record hot weather, more frequent hurricanes, and melting glaciers. Just because you won’t be around when we have 150 degree summers and the planet becomes uninhabitable doesn’t mean you can’t take an adult view of things now and do something to help.
September 16th, 2006 at 6:43 pmbeefeater -
In the 60’s it was Dr. Paul Ehlrich giving us 10 years, (see the Population Bomb). In the 70’s it was “Global Cooling†(see time magazine) Now its “Global Warming†thats only giving us 10 years.
The earth has been warming since the last ice age you idiot! If not we would all be living under a glacier!
You’ve got sort of a point there. I, too, became pretty skeptical over Ehrlich’s work (The Population Bomb), etc. However, there is a big difference between popularizers trying to sell books, and scientific work which is peer-reviewed, etc. True, we’re dealing with a very complex system—Earth’s environment—but scientists know a lot more now then they did in the 1970s. It would be downright stupid to do nothing when, our best guess says: we’re in trouble if we don’t find away to fix this thing.
I also agree with Peter Easterbrook who points out an example that demonstrates we CAN fix environmental problems: after the ozone hole developed, which would ultimately really raise the incidence of skin cancer and cause other problems, the world cut it’s use of freons. And it worked.
But, the longer we wait, the greater chance we’ll start to late…and fail…and suffer consequences far worse than any terrorist could create.
September 16th, 2006 at 7:16 pm#12, Beefeater: Time magazine isn’t really the place where anyone in their right mind would look for up-to-date science. The coming ice-age is of course very cool to write about and if it’s dramatic enough Time can sell a lot of issues.
Now, I’m not sure whether or not you’ve actually read the linked article or not. It’s not 10 years of doing nothing and *poof* civilisation will be gone.
Here’s what it’s about: if you do not do anything to reduce greenhouse gas emissions then in 10 years time you will have put enough of those in the atmosphere to cause climatic catastrophes. The floods, draughts and hurricanes do not need to start on the first day of 2017 and wipe us all out by february. If you were to stop pollution entirely by 2018, you will have put enough carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to cause significant trouble for centuries.
Also, the temperature record on earth need not show a linear increase since the last ice-age in order to prevent anyone from living under a glacier. People do not live, nor have lived under glaciers.
Absolute temperatures do not matter that much. That may be hard to grasp, so let’s drop a midly absurdistic example: say Boeing introduces a new aeroplane capable of carrying 100 passengers and a serious safety defect is found after the first twenty of them started flying regularly. What you say with your argument is that one should not do anything about that, because in previous disasters planes crashed with more than 100 people aboard. What’s wrong with the example? Old airplane, new airplane. Two totally different things. Old situation, new situation. And yes, we do know enough about science, chemistry and carbon cycles to be sure that we are facing a new situation.
September 16th, 2006 at 7:34 pmHey, Beefeater,
I have a lovely home. Cape Cod, MA. Right in Hyannis. Just under 2 miles to the ocean. Want to buy it?
I’ll be selling it in a couple of years.
I’ll give it to you for a bargin.
September 16th, 2006 at 8:03 pmidiot SUV driving Americans will deny that until the eve of destruction is dawning.
Comment by banana
Now this post makes me feel smart, cause my 1972 Cadillac coupe deville gets about 8 mpg, for one, secondly cause..well, you know those American SUV drivers are all idiots, as you see the university parking lots is plum full of em gas guzzling soccer mom, cell heads, and all around idiotic and unattentive drivers…sheesh.
You don’t never see know Idiots driving a 72 Cadillac do you? Nope, they may be drunk and acting a fool, pulling a gibson, but they is smart. Damn smart..
So don’t yall go forgetting that next time your driving that idiotic SUV and you see a Cadillac, a 1972 model with two hupcaps and a three tone primer paintjob. =)
September 16th, 2006 at 8:42 pmI have a lovely home. Cape Cod, MA. Right in Hyannis. Just under 2 miles to the ocean. Want to buy it?
I’ll be selling it in a couple of years.
I’ll give it to you for a bargin.
Comment by trueblue
I’ma drivin my Caddy up dat way rite know, me an my 8 relatives and a Coleman pop-up trailer we can put in da front of the house and run an lectric cord thru a window. Be ther shortly. –Dastard
September 16th, 2006 at 8:49 pmWell Dubya Dunce Decider Despot is around for 2 more years, so that closes the window to avert climatic disaster to 8 years after Bush departs!
September 16th, 2006 at 9:00 pmWell, Trueblu, I live in Arizona and don’t think I could take your winter. By the way We were supposed to run out of water here back in the 60’s(see Cadillac Desert.) The thing is I actually read a lot, from both sides, have been for nearly 60 years and I don’t need Algore or Limbaugh to tell Me how to think!
September 16th, 2006 at 9:11 pmbeefeater,
No one wants to tell you what to think. They want to stimulate you to learn. Investigate. Do what’s best for the Earth.
Hell, when I needed a new car a couple years ago, The Toyota Matrix was the big new thing. I couldn’t buy it because the gas mileage wasn’t as good as the Corolla.
When the Rav 4 was big, I still stuck with the Corolla. Gas mileage. Both of those times, gas prices were not a big issue, because it was still low. I still had a conscience, however.
I recycle whatever I can. I’ll probably have a Corolla until the Prius finally comes down in price, because that’s the best I can do to help. (right now)
But at least I think about these things! That’s what we should all do: think about the couple of things we could do, personally, to help keep our home healthy. By home, I mean, Earth, ’cause we are all inhabitants.
September 16th, 2006 at 9:36 pmI don’t think that’s asking too much.
Isn’t this the renowed NASA scientist whom Bush put a “gag order” on so his research wouldn’t come out? Shame on Bush! No wonder all of our most respected, most accomplished scientists and clinical people have quit his regime.
September 16th, 2006 at 9:56 pmHumm, NSSA … NOA. wonder who the “true” scientists are?
September 17th, 2006 at 12:02 amshould have read NASA
September 17th, 2006 at 12:04 amI agree completely with this scientist who’s claiming the world has a ten-year window to do something.
I know because I saw that very window pass by from 1995 to 2005.
September 17th, 2006 at 6:50 amSCIENCE _ The Dutch are the world’s tallest people
September 17th, 2006 at 7:28 amTehran Times AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — Most of us are taller than our parents, who probably are taller than their parents. But in the Netherlands, the generational progression has reached new heights. In the last 150 years, the Dutch have become the tallest people on Earth and experts say they’re still getting bigger. It is a tale of a nation’s health and wealth. Prosperity propelled the collective growth spurt that began in the mid-1800s and was only interrupted during the harsh years of the Nazi occupation in the 1940s when average heights actually declined. With their protein-rich diet and a national health service that pampers infants, the Dutch are standing taller than ever. The average Dutchman stands just over 6 feet, while women average…
I heard that Bush is going to do a 180 on his approach to global warming — it is intended to counter the acknowledgement Al Gore is getting.
September 17th, 2006 at 4:43 pmBut they won’t be calling it a flip flop when he makes this U-ey will they?
Now Bush, in an attempt to line the pockets of his buddies in big oil, has successfully pushed the price of oil up to over $60 a barrel. This makes it more expensive to drive. Now, more fuel efficient cars are being built and sold in the marketplace, because the gas is expensive. This will help save the planet. I’m confused. Is Bush still evil?
September 17th, 2006 at 5:03 pmI would really like some information here. I have been led to believe that the Kyoto treaty exempts China, India, and most other third world nations; some of the heaviest polluters. Is this true? If it is true, and our global situation is so dire, shouldn’t we be insisting that the Kyoto treaty be past with no exemptions?
September 17th, 2006 at 5:25 pmIn the 60’s it was Dr. Paul Ehlrich giving us 10 years, (see the Population Bomb). In the 70’s it was “Global Cooling†(see time magazine) Now its “Global Warming†thats only giving us 10 years.
The earth has been warming since the last ice age you idiot! If not we would all be living under a glacier!
Comment by beefeater — September 16, 2006 @ 6:07 pm
A classic strawman argument by a global warming denier. Ehrlich did not constitute a scientific consensus by any stretch of the imagination. He was an outlier. Now we have thousands of qualified scientists virtually unanimous in their view that the basic premise of global warming is correct. So come up with something better, beefeater, or shut up.
September 17th, 2006 at 10:49 pmWell, now that I have heard from a Realscientist (are you sure your not a 14 year old in mommies basement?) I guess you missed the whole point. Not only did I not deny that the earth is warming, I pointed out that it has been since the last ice age. Not only do I think that we can’t do much about it, I really don’t think we have much to do with it.
September 18th, 2006 at 12:02 amAs an example of what “pop science” can lead to just read Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. I Have. Thats what happens when junk science goes mainstream. How many people have died because Rachel’s book led to the banning of DDT? Look it up, research it, and then you can tell me to shut up.
Beefeater is a liar.
“Pop science?” Try “global consensus” among thousands of scientists from a variety of disicplines.
Who is paying this person to troll through comment boards like this spreading junk-propaganda?
Think about it.
Who on earth would question the validity of science done by NASA? Only someone with their head so far in the sand that they can’t read the words on the page.
Sure, I am a business person. I make available the products that can help us avert disaster (http://www.iwantcleanair.com). I started my business after being convinced by the overwhelming peer-reviewed evidence that a problem exists. I want to be part of the solution.
September 18th, 2006 at 9:20 ambeefeater,
September 18th, 2006 at 1:01 pmYou are right on about DDT. The banning of DDT has created more preventable death than 1000 Clinton missed opportunities. The unintended consequenes of misinformed, good intentioned, do-gooders is the real threat to our future.
Hey business guy, your on to Me. I’m a paid liar waiting for my check. They told Me that it’s in the mail!
Meanwhile I checked out your “Business” and wow I’m impressed. Can you really make an income from a bunch of K-Tel International rejects? All thats missing is the Pocket Fisherman and the Incredible Patty Stacker. Good luck!
September 18th, 2006 at 1:03 pmI forgot the Bald Spot spray, but I suppose that would damage the ozone layer.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:07 pmOnline Payday Loans
Payday advance loans can provide help for people that are residence in Nebraska regarding extra bills, as people are near a} shift of disaster.
March 20th, 2008 at 12:30 amoptical optics
Both problems are mild and fleeting. Criteria for selecting a borescope is usually image clarity and access.Basil Hirschowitz of Univ. The
March 21st, 2008 at 12:00 amVacation Rental Travel Search Engines Costa Rica Travel
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:25 amSpring
One should guard against preaching to young people success in the customary form as the main aim in life. The most important motive for work in school and in life is pleasure in work, pleasure in its result and the knowledge of the value of the result …
April 8th, 2008 at 12:22 am