The first chapter discussed how the state of Washington, many centuries ago, used to be very tropical. Fossils of tropical plants, palm trees, and crocodiles can still be found there. This shows a glimpse of what the Eocene era of the World was like; tropical everywhere. An island near Australia called New Caledonia has an interesting geography in that it gets warm there but the waters are still cooler. This island is being studied now because it could offer some insight as to what the World will look like someday due to global warming.The author discussed some effects of living in places that are unbearably hot. For example, in many climates most people use drugs to help make it through the day, such as Kava root, and Khat. Also, the brain doesn't work as well and disease, such as malaria, are easier spread.
Ward examines the environmental changes that could lead to the next greenhouse extinction; sea level rise, ocean acidification, global warming and coral reef "bleaching." He concludes the sea levels will rise by 200 feet by the year 3000. A 25 foot rise would most likely wipe out half of the Worlds population. Ward says, "As far as can be seen in the present, we have not yet reached the point of no return, or the tipping point." The key is to keeping carbon dioxide levels below 450 parts per million.
Terminology
coral reef 'bleaching': Coral starts to become white and can be caused by a reduction in photosynthetic pigment. Coral bleaching as been an increasing problem for the last twenty years.
Implications
The fact that the author believes that in under 1,000 years the sea levels may rise by 200 feet and only a 25 foot rise has the potential to wipe out half of Earth's population is so scary! That would obviously have a huge impact on humanity, and in not that large amount of time. With information like this out there I would thank that this would be enough to scare people into making major changes. Especially since we can still make the changes necessary to change the current path we are on.
Posts
This sounds really interesting but confusing! Way to tackle a tough book...
ReplyDeletevery interesting,,, this seems like a tough book to read!
ReplyDeleteYour book does seems like it could be confusing, but also seems like it has a lot of good information. I think it would be a little freaky to read a book like this, but important at the same time because this is information that people need to take into account.
ReplyDeleteLots of info! My book is kinda like that too, its hard to comprehend it all, but good job!
ReplyDelete