Threat of 16 feet rise in sea level

British scientists have discovered a new threat to the world which may be a result of global warming. Researchers from the Cambridge-based British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have discovered that a massive Antarctic ice sheet previously assumed to be stable may be starting to disintegrate, a conference on climate change heard yesterday. Its collapse would raise sea levels around the earth by more than 16 feet [4.9 m].

BAS staff are carrying out urgent measurements of the remote points in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) where they have found ice to be flowing into the sea at the enormous rate of 250 cubic kilometres a year, a discharge alone that is raising global sea levels by a fifth of a millimetre a year ...

Margaret Beckett, the Environment Secretary, who opened the conference, added another ominous prediction when she said that major global warming impacts on the world in the next 20 to 30 years could not be avoided. Whatever we do, potentially disastrous world temperature rises will take place because they are already "built into the system," she said.

Her forecast that we are powerless to prevent major damage from climate change is accepted by scientists but it is rare for such a frank admission from a politician. It reflects the concern at a high level.

Reply from Jim Kunstler

peakoil.com :

I've just got an email reply to a question I posed to Jim Kunstler, the guy you saw in the "End of Suburbia" DVD.

My question was : "... is the super-dense vertical suburbia where I live (Singapore, over 6000 people/sq km) any better or worse than America's horizontal suburban sprawl?"

Haven't got his say-so to post his reply in its entirety, but here are the main points :

1. Any building over 7 storeys is a product of cheap energy.
2. Paris and London are doing just fine with the low buildings they have.
3. The developed nations will have a problem with their electric grids ahead.
4. That's not too good for cities with tall buildings like New York City (and I suppose, Singapore too).

Energy costs felt beyond gas pump

peakoil.com -> springfield.news-leader.com

There's nothing like a trip to the gas station to raise one's awareness of energy prices. Yet it doesn't require filling up the tank - or opening a utility bill - to feel the bite of rising fuel costs.

Carpet, fertilizer, paint, polyester and plastic toys, all of which are petroleum-based, are more expensive to make, wrap and ship these days. As a result, companies around the globe are struggling and a growing number are charging more for well-known products, including Goodyear tires, Scotts fertilizer and Kenmore refrigerators.

So far price increases have been modest, and economists say there is little threat of inflation or other serious damage to the economic recovery. But if energy costs stay high, consumers might have to dig even deeper for home furnishings, auto parts, agriculture products and more ...

(2005-02-02 00:16:29 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

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