We’ve all heard about hundreds of things bad or wrong with global warming and climate change. I refuse to believe that ALL change is for the worse. What are some “good” things that have been predicted? Canada and Greenland able to grow more crops? etc.?
More CO[sub]2[/sub], faster growing plants.
“Good” may depend on your point of view, but there are some groups that may benefit economically. There’s been a few blurbs recently about benefits to shipping because of the increased navigability of the Arctic Ocean - shipping lanes which are normally iced shut will stay open. In particular, the Russian shipping industry may benefit. It may also be the case that melting of the ice cap means easier access for offshore drilling.
How about longer growing seasons, less frigid winter nights, and more habitable land in the northern regions of the world?
While unlimited global warming could theoretically kill all of us or mess with crash our economy, that’s really unlikely. The earth has been much warmer, on average, in the past, and much colder. Although the earth has been relatively stable, temperature wise, for quite some time, we will probably have to eventually accept and live with an Ice Age or a hot period - which could last eons.
Well… my real estate values will shoot up with the advent of having new beach front property! 
Failing that, the arctic ocean is getting easier to navigate, increasing nautical trading capabilities of nations such as Russia.
With most things, change is generally neither better or worse, just different. Though of course you will have to adapt to the difference.
The problem we have is that the people who most need to adapt (like those in Africa), are the least able to afford to do so. While as those who will receive the boon (Canada, Sweden, etc.) could afford to have gotten the short end of the stick. There’s no particular need for it, but unfortunately the way the world is set up, most countries on the equator aren’t the most well outfitted for adapting to a new climate. So as stuff opens up towards the poles, while that’s nice for the people in those areas and could be considered “good”, as an overall trend I’m not convinced it would be a “good.”
While this is likely true, as Sage Rat has pointed out this also has a cost. Implementing agriculture in areas where it was formerly not feasible will require new investment in roads, rail lines, storage facilities, and so on. That also goes for regions which become more suitable for a different crop than before. Switching from wheat to sugar cane requires different kinds of infrastructure.
The problem is not that change is occurring, it is with the speed of the change. Whether the changes are positive or negative, it will be difficult for many regions to adapt rapidly enough without substantial costs.
I’m not convinced that Canada would be as well off as many seem to think in this thread. Canada has a lot of arable land; what happens to it under global warming?
“About three-quarters of Canada’s population live within 150 kilometres (90 mi) of the US border.” -Wikipedia
If they gain even 150 kilometers of land due to warming, Canada will have fairly well doubled in size. Given that the whole country has a good 3-4000 kilometers territory Northward from the border, 150 kilometers is just a pebble in the sea.
Irish wine.
Well, for one thing, San Diego is starting to remind me of Tucson more and more often. For example: I’ve spent most of the last ten years here, with a few months here and there spent somewhere else, and this afternoon was the first time I saw it actually get up to 100 degrees here. Nice little bit of nostalgia.
Studies have show this not to be the case: Climate Change Surprise: High Carbon Dioxide Levels Can Retard Plant Growth, Study Reveals | ScienceDaily
In a GD thread on Global Warming, I linked to a video which makes a pretty good pitch that the current rate of warming is well within the bounds of natural history.
It’s roughly 10 minutes into the video – around the break between Part 1 and Part 2.
[Moderating]
brazil84, we are not going to turn this thread into a debate on the reality or not of global warming. You have had ample opportunity to make your case in Great Debates. Stick to the subject of the OP. I’m not going to have this thread sidetracked by you.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator