There is hope

Scientists hopeful despite climate signs
By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer

WASHINGTON - Climate scientist Michael Mann runs down the list of bad global warming news: The world is spewing greenhouse gases at a faster rate. Summer Arctic sea ice is at record lows. The ice sheets in Greenland and West Antarctica are melting quicker than expected.

Is he the doomsayer global warming skeptics have called him?

Mann laughs. This Penn State University professor — and many other climate scientists — are sunny optimists. Hope blooms in the hottest of greenhouses.

Climate scientists say mankind is on the path for soaring temperatures that will melt polar ice sheets, raise seas to dangerous levels, and trigger mass extinctions. But they say the most catastrophic of consequences can and will be avoided.

...

NASA's James Hansen, who forecasts some of the bleakest outlooks on global warming, said in an e-mail: "I am always surprised when people get depressed rather than energized to do something. It's not too late to stabilize climate."

...

The scientists say the public now understands how bad the problem is. So these researchers have faith that society will rally in time.
...

How about Al Gore? Does he lose hope?

"No, because we can't afford to," said the former vice president, who has helped bring global warming to center stage. "It's a genuine planetary emergency."

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070923/ap_on_sc/optimistic_doomsayers

"no because we can't afford to" is not exactly an encouraging message to the thinking person

the most catastrophic scenario is those infamous breeding pairs at the north pole, which oops, there won't be a north pole, so i guess at the new and ice free antartica, i agree that almost total extinction except for a few "breeding pairs" is not going to happen but i don't call that "there is hope"

instead i call this an article without any substance, written for the sake of a pandering headline

very very disappointed to read this article and see what they call "hope"

truly an insult to the intelligence of the reader

people can live in a space station or in a sterile prison cell but i don't call it quality of life

Which is why you'll usually find a sunny chapter at the end of books about climate change and Peak Oil, etc.

At least, you used to....

we were still trying to convince people. Now, global warming is pretty much accepted.

But people need hope to make change.

I've talked to so many who feel there's no point in doing anything since it's already "hopeless". That's the kind of attitude that makes it hopeless.

That's so true.

If we give up and think WTH- we are screwed.

Three of the most potentially dangerous words
around are "What's the use?".

There is hope- we can do something to
bring about changes that will help stabilize our planet.

Thanks for posting this.

:hi: :pals:

It's really good to hear from you! :hug: How ya been?

It really worries me when I hear such defeatism here on DU. If we progressives no longer have enough hope to do anything but talk about and anticipate a doomed fate what can we expect from the herds?

I remember several years ago hoping for the day when the climate emergency would be understood and accepted globally. I thought it would bring about a worldwide movement. And as individuals we would be the ones fighting the hardest for change.

Are we so frightened that giving up is preferable to trying? Wow.

We can't give up- there is too
much at stake, here.

I've been OK.
Work is very slow right now.

How are you?

:hug: