New Study Finds Global Warming Irreversible for the Next 1000 Years

As a society and a people we are fully aware of what we are doing to our planet. With the mass emissions of greenhouse gases (more commonly known as carbon dioxide or CO2) let into the atmosphere on a daily basis we are creating a mess that may not be able to be fixed. According to a new study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the effects that will be felt on planet Earth due to global warming are largely irreversible. Even if we were to somehow stop all emissions now there is no going back.

According to senior scientist for NOAA Susan Solomon, the current decisions by the human race regarding CO2 emissions are set to "irreversible change the planet." The study shows that even when all levels of CO2 emissions are stopped the planet will still see 1000 years of effected rainfall, changes in surface temperature and rising sea level due to the global warming that has already occurred (source: news.yahoo.com). And we have nobody to blame but ourselves.

Before the industrial revolution the CO2 level in Earth's atmosphere was about 280 parts per million. Today that number is at 385 parts per million and steadily rising with each passing year. The researchers used the years of 2000-2100 as a case in point study and examined the effects of the CO2 levels raising beyond what they are today (source: news.yahoo.com) The results did not paint a pretty picture for our planet.

Because the damage done with global warming in this century will be irreversible, scientist were quick to point out that many regions will likely be affected by rising sea levels and a shortage of rainfall. The rising sea levels will submerge many island-type regions and much of the coastal regions as well. The shortage of rainfall can attribute to increased fires, less water for human consumption and an increase in the dessert region of the planet (source: news.yahoo.com). So what can we do?

Not to sound all doom and gloom but is there really much we can do about this? The current levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are staggering and what's worse is they are still expected to rise greatly this century. And the chances of the planet Earth stopping all CO2 emissions is slim to none. Unfortunately with the findings that Global Warming is largely irreversible for 1000 years there is no going back. We have made our beds and now we must lie in them. Our only hope is to continue to educate our children and hopefully they will educate their children and so on. While the time frame is not much of a concern for us our many of our kids we can't forget about generations that will be here even though we are gone.