For probably the first time in 3 million years, CO2 goes over 400 ppm in the atmosphere!

[Happy_Fun_Ball]

I did my part! I am proud that I helped in reaching this noteworthy goal. How about you, do you feel good about it?

Climate Milestone: Earth’s CO2 Level Passes 400 ppm

[QUOTE=National Geographic Article linked above]
<snip> the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere there has exceeded 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time in 55 years of measurement—and probably more than 3 million years of Earth history.
[/QUOTE]

The last time the concentration of Earth’s main greenhouse gas reached this mark, horses and camels lived in the high Arctic. Seas were at least 30 feet higher—at a level that today would inundate major cities around the world.

The planet was about 2 to 3 degrees Celsius (3.6 to 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer. But the Earth then was in the final stage of a prolonged greenhouse epoch, and CO2 concentrations were on their way down. This time, 400 ppm is a milepost on a far more rapid uphill climb toward an uncertain climate future.

Yay team!

[cmyk]

Only a matter of time before the dinosaurs come back to reclaim what once was theirs…

cocks gun

[The_Understander]

Damn sunspots!

[Shagnasty]

Speaking as a native Southerner stuck in freezing New England, I say this is the best news I have heard in years. Do whatever it takes to warm this place up and this party started. I have a bunch of old spray cans that I can fire off in the back yard tonight if that will help. Who is with me?

[TriPolar]

Today on the news they said it was only 800,000 years ago. Stop trying to induce panic.

[samclem]

@the Cremation of Sam McGhee

And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;
And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: "Please close that door.
It’s fine in here, but I greatly fear you’ll let in the cold and storm—
Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it’s the first time I’ve been warm

Living in Ohio, I’m safe?

[PunditLisa]

I blame the cicadas.

[MEBuckner]

The last time the concentration of Earth’s main greenhouse gas reached this mark, horses and camels lived in the high Arctic.

Well, that’s good, right? 'Cause I read somewhere that with the global warming the polar bears are having trouble finding food. This way, they’ll have plenty of horses and camels to eat.

[Kiros]

You’re such a liar; we all know that the Earth is no more than ten thousand years old, at most. More proof of the god-hating liberal media!

[drewtwo99]

400 ppm? I won’t be happy until that’s at least 1,000,000 ppm, preferably more.

[chacoguy]

It’s all merry fun, but we’re approaching a tipping point.

[Arrogance_Ex_Machina]

@chacoguy

It’s all merry fun, but we’re approaching a tipping point.

Next on SDMB - “Should you tip a climate and if you should, how much?”.

[GuanoLad]

But how does this affect me now? casually sets fire to tower of tyres

[EmAnJ]

That’s pretty scary, actually. And sad.

I’m not seeing anything changing any time soon though, especially considering the comments so far in this thread.

[Astroboy14]

@Arrogance_Ex_Machina

Next on SDMB - “Should you tip a climate and if you should, how much?”.

Why the hell should I tip the climate for doing it’s damn job?:mad:

[TriPolar]

@EmAnJ

That’s pretty scary, actually. And sad.

I’m not seeing anything changing any time soon though, especially considering the comments so far in this thread.

It is worrisome, but actually nobody knows how things will turn out.

[EmAnJ]

@TriPolar

It is worrisome, but actually nobody knows how things will turn out.

I understand that, but I would think it would be prudent to follow the precautionary principle in this case.

[lavenderviolet]

I really think the only hope humanity has to actually survive over the long term is to figure out a way to colonize other planets. Even if huge numbers of people across the entire world commit to trying to be environmentally responsible, all it takes is a few big polluters to ruin everything.
Consider that China alone has a huge proportion of the world population, and can contribute a huge amount of pollution to the world even if every country in the western world were all on the same page.
I honestly expect that humans will end up killing ourselves off with our own stupidity, but if we’re lucky maybe we will work out a way to colonize Mars or something in time.

[TriPolar]

Yeah! Let’s go wreck Mars too!

[Uber_the_Goober]

Methinks God had the right idea with the flood - “them people down there are messing things all up!”

I love Louis CK’s bit about God coming back and giving us the what-for