Thursday, March 12, 2009

Climate Change: It Just Gets Worse

If you live near the coast (and not on top of a peak like we do), you better think about getting some SLR insurance. I wonder if that exists? Do you think it's included in flood insurance.

Read this.

5 comments:

Ms. S said...

I'm so on board, and have been for what seems FOREVER, with the gobal warming, now known as "climate change". I guess what I mean when I say 'on board', I mean that I've been a believer rather than a doubter..... anyway. I'm a backer of reducing emissions and 'greening' up as much as we can individually and industrially, the problem I have with articles like the one you linked to, is the same problem I have with the conservatives in that it makes me cringe when doom and gloom words and phrases are used to impart knowledge. Rather than making me open my eyes and ears to whatever the issue is, it has a reverse effect and makes me scoff. In case I'm not making sense, the article states that millions will be forced "to flee...". Forced to flee? I agree, climate change is here and most likely here to stay, but using scare tactics can 'scare' people into turning away.

Ok, rambling... I just wish that both sides wouldn't over-dramatize quite so much. (yes yes, I agree it is a SERIOUS situation and that is putting it mildly). My guess is that the climate change will continue and millions may be forced to move because water levels will overtake their ocean side homes, I doubt (although I could be wrong) they'll have to "flee for their lives" from the rising oceans.

Ok, that's my bit for the day.

Thanks for the article ;-)

Alison said...

You are absolutely right that fear is a terrible tactic for basically anything, and especially climate change. I think that "Break Through" book talked about it as well. If you want people to care and act, you have to show them the opportunity. I actually glossed over that article and didn't notice that aspect.

That said, I do strongly believe that some people will be forced to flee. Here in the US we might have enough money to build seawalls, but in Bangladesh and many island nations they probably don't, unless the rich nations responsible for global warming to something to help the poor nations adapt.

I think ultimately we will be able to adapt climate change, but as with any change, there will be winners and losers.

Ms. S said...

This is why you are the writer, and I am not. Thank you for so eloquently summing up what I tried laboriously (and failed miserably) to type out.

I've got to pick up that book and check it out.

baillie said...

"Flee" could be a perfectly apt word in this situation. If the situations in Louisiana and Holland are any guide for us, we know that places that end up below sea level like to protect their land by keeping out the sea. Apply the same idea to Bangladesh. According to this map of 1.5 meters of sea level rise, 17 million people out of 112 million citizens will be displaced. I can easily picture this population trying as hard as they can to keep out the sea, until one day when their protective measures fail and thousands of square kilometers of land are flooded. They'll be forced to flee, for sure, a quick response to a slow phenomenon.

For many of us in more affluent parts of the world, sea level rise is not going to be a life-or-death problem, but packing the population of an already-overcrowded (and desperately poor) country into only 85% of the land will have drastic effects.

Alison said...

My husband is a scientist, and like the other scientists who make us scared of climate change, likes to preach scary numbers (and repeat what I already said, because apparently he doesn't care enough to read thoroughly). Ms. S's comment, however, is about the scare tactics, which he does not address. Love you!