Timeline: Jump to 2014
Time Line
1860s:
1896:
1860s:
1965:
1988:
1995:
1997:
2007:
2011:
2012:
18th
Century
1998 to
2012:
2018 to 2025:
2015 to 2030:
2048:
1977:
2030:
2100:
2050:
2042:
2014: You are Here. Atmospheric CO2 reaches about 400 ppm.
Needs to be at least below 350 ppm (parts per million)
2013:
2013:
1980 2000 2010 2020
The Industrial Revolution starts, bringing rising use of fossil fuels. Atmospheric CO2 is 275 ppm
Irish scientist John Tyndall shows that molecules of gases such as water vapour and carbon dioxide trap heat. He wrote that changes "could have produced all the mutations of climate which the researches of geologists reveal".
Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius becomes the first to quantify carbon dioxide's role in keeping the planet warm. He later concluded that burning of coal could cause a "noticeable increase" in carbon levels over centuries.
US scientist Charles Keeling sets up stations to measure carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere at the South Pole and at Mauna Loa, Hawaii. The measurements have shown a steady rise.
US President Lyndon Johnson tells Congress, "This generation has altered the composition of the atmosphere on a global scale through ... a steady increase in carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels."
The United Nations sets up the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to assess the scientific evidence.
The IPCC concludes for the first time that humans are causing global warming, saying: "The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate."
Climate change, pollution and Government debts among other things have been transferred to future generations.
Here is a summary of the key issues that affect us all now and into the future,
with links if you need more information.
Due to deliberate delaying tactics, we've probably already locked in a 2.4 degree increase by 2100 and are likely to reach 4 to 6 degrees C by 2100. Consequences are......
The Kyoto Protocol is agreed in Japan; developed nations agree to cut their greenhouse gas emissions on average by at least 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-12. The United States stays out of the deal.
To increase profits and control, they use.....
On 3 December 2007, the then Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd, signed Australia's instrument of ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. Australia's ratification came into effect on 11 March 2008
2012: Australia's Carbon Tax starts on July 1st 2012.
2045 2050 2075 2100
9 billion people on the planet.
Expected time when Fussion Nuclear power stations might become economically viable to operate commercially.
Virtually all existing Australian coal power stations will need to have been replaced due to age or had a major upgrade.
Exxonmobil donates over $22 million to US Think Tanks. Read more..... http://www.exxonsecrets.org
Peak Oil causes petrol to go over $3 a litre.
The Graph shows the past production of Conventional Oil (cheap stuff we've been using) and how production will fall off any moment now.
Basically the world has used a lot of the cheap, easy to get crude. Demand is still rising so the only way to meet demand is to use more expensive to mine and process oils. Go To Page...
15 years. Probably the least amount of time to get a 3rd Generation Nuclear power station running in Australia.
7 years. Then another 7 years to cover the Carbon footprint.
2030: The expected time Generation 4 Nuclear power stations become viable. Read more..
Expected time when Generation 4 Nuclear power stations become economically viable to operate commercially.
At the current rate of fishing, all non-managed fisheries will be exhausted (not viable to fish).
Late 70s to early 80s: About the time humans started using more renewable resources than the planet could supply (soil, water, etc).
We are now (2014) using about the equivalent of 1.6 planet earths.
Some main reasons for lack of climate change action.....
1 metre sea level rise.
100 million people currently live within 1 metre above sea level.
250 million people currently live within 9 metres above sea level. Greater storm surges will effect a lot of these people.
Areas of the earth wont be able to support the same amount of people so mass migrations are possible.
You are here.
To get: Weaker environmental laws.
More political power.
Less legal & worker rights for people.
Delays with Climate Action by creating
doubt in the Public's opinion.
Bee populations suffer massive declines in populations. Chemical companies resist efforts to stop use of their products.
The TPP Free trade agreement has been negoisiated for over 4 years.
At currrent rates of CO2 going into the atmosphere and oceans, we will have a 4 to 6 degrees temperature rise somewhere around 2100.
Climate Change
Possibly adds 0.9 degrees Celcius
Adds 0.7 degrees Celcius
30 to 50 years from now.
Already have 0.8 degrees Celcius increase today.
2014
2054
2100
Totals a 2.4 degrees Celcius increase.
With the CO2 released today,
90% of heat goes into the oceans.
Resultant heat rise in atmosphere happens 30 to 50 years later
IF EMISSIONS STOPPED TODAY
We would still get a 2.4 degree temperature increase at the end of the century.
BUT emissions aren't stopping.
Add another 1 degree celcius to this for the CO2 released if we took emergency measures to stop all of it.
This is locked in. It will be very hard to stop this. Reference link
AEROSOLS are mainly human pollution. Fine particles released into the atmosphere largely from burning fossil fuels. They have a cooling effect but are short lived. When we stop burning fossil fuels, we stop producing aerosols and therefore get extra warming.
Volcanoes also produce aerosols in the form of sulphur dioxide which cools the planet. This also only stays in the atmosphere for a low number of years.
CONSEQUENCES :
Severe droughts
Death of Coral Reefs
1 metre sea level rise
More severe storms and stronger storm surges
Possible runaway climate change
Links to other pages....