Have We Reached The Point Of No Return?

The Associated Press reports that new figures released by the federal government show levels of carbon dioxide rose dramatically in 2012, making it unlikely that global warming can be limited to another 2 degrees. Many governments set a 2 degree increase as their upper limit goal.

Scientists say the rise in CO2 is the result of the global economy expanding and burning more fossil fuels, particularly in China. United States government scientists reported a jump of 2.67 parts per million (ppm) in CO2 levels, totaling just under 395 ppm compared to 2011. That is the second highest jump in carbon emissions since record keeping began in 1959. The only year where a larger increase took place was in 1998.

According to scientists, the hope that warming can be limited to 2 degrees is fading and will most likely be impossible.

Bill McKibben is an American environmentalist who has written several books on the impact of climate change. In 2009 he led 350.org, which organized a global climate rally in 181 countries with 5,200 simultaneous demonstrations to illustrate the severe effects in store for us as we continue to ignore the very real problem of global warming. The name of the organization derives from the fact that 350 ppm is the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. That number was achieved in 2008 and we have been adding to it ever since at the rate of 2 ppm per year. He cites a study by NASA that concluded if there were more than 350 ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere,, we could not have a planet “similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on earth is adapted.”

2012 CO2 was measured at 395 ppm and is still rising.

Ann Werner is a blogger and the author of CRAZY and Dreams and Nightmares. You can view her work at ARK Stories

Visit her on Twitter @MsWerner and Facebook