The Climate Reality

The reality of the climate crisis is upon us. The pace at which change is occurring, combined with increasingly sophisticated analyses of past climate records, prompts many climatologist to argue that we are not just racing towards the threshold, but that we have already passed it.

“If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed, CO2 levels will need to be reduced…to at most 350 ppm, but likely less that that,” says NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

Last month, the atmospheric CO2 levels reached a new record concentration of 400 ppm. As global milestones go, this was a quiet one. Life went on, business as usual, and the atmosphere continued to accumulate heat-trapping gases beyond the NASA recommended safe upper limit of 350 ppm.

The climate reality conveys a sense of urgency, and can be used to motivate and inspire people to take bold action on climate change. With great challenges, comes great opportunity. 

Stayed tuned for the upcoming OOS Google + Hangout on Climate Change.