Ali Academy

Majid Ali, M.D.

People observe weather, not climate. Climate scientists observe both but themselves go unobserved. Politicians observe only what they voters want them to observe. The stark realities of looming climatic chaos should be visible to all but so far have not stirred people in a meaningful way so far.

Below I summarize some areas of agreement among climate scientologists:

Here are some crucial aspects of the problem:

1. Current atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations are expected to double by the end of the century.

2. Doubling of greenhouse gases are anticipated is expected to raise the average global temperatures by three to eight degrees Celsius.

3. Anticipated global warming will most likely to: (a) cause glaciers to disappear; (b) create droughts that will plummet crop productivity; (c) raise sea levels and floodi large tracts of coastal waters; (4) increases the storm frequency and intensity of storms; (5) wipe out many species; and (6) alter patterns and morbidity of infectious diseases.

4. In 1990, the U.S. emitted twice as many pollutants as China. By 2006, China had overtaken the United States.

5. The average global temperature increased by about 0.8 degrees Celsius since 1880, two-thirds of this increase occurred after 1975.

6. Aaccording to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, arresting and reversing expected global warming trends would require a worldwide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 40 to 70 percent by midcentury. This is not likely with the current technologies, public voices, and political will.

Would new inventions provide some relief. Yes, that is likely but that is not enough reason to continue the present wait-and-watch status.