Dominant Species

By: Anthony J. Gerst:

What do we know today, if anything? As my father is fond of saying, ‘I know nothing, I can prove it, ask me anything.’ Recently it has been reported that at CO2 atmospheric concentration levels of 500 ppm, the oceans will stop calcification. It has been well documented that the planet’s southern ocean is no longer acting as a carbon sink. And of course, one million acres of ice disappeared from the Arctic and we discovered that Greenland melted at a rate of 25 percent over estimations during this past season.

For the Cro-Magnon in our mist, be they from the trailer parks or the intelligent design pews of humanistic debauchery, to the ten-thousand dollar suited board and CEO members who still can grunt out the response: “huh, I don’t care.” People fail to comprehend the baseline conceptions of what this foretells. People lament my forecast of an impending ecological disaster. They scream, I kid you not, ‘you can’t tell the future.’ I don’t have to tell the future, all I have to do is deduce the information presented yearly. ‘But, but the scientists say we have at least 100 years.’

In the first place, taking that attitude without committing to changing anything is dooming future generations. The deduction here is simply enough, you are not humane, you are narcissist, more animal than man, striving only to serve self. Do you know what humanity calls a completely self-indulged individual? One who justifies every action they do, a psychopath. Have you as an individual questioned your humane meter lately? If you still possess the ability to glance within the looking glass, you may be very surprised at what you find.

Enough of the free psychoanalysis, what does the above information tell a mind that is capable of independent thought? By now most people in the civilized world should know that the Arctic ice cap reflects the sunlight from the earth, helping to stabilize our optimum temperature. Further we know that the ice melting from Greenland affects the oceans circulatory system. This in effect, when slowed or stopped adds to the problem of the oceans acting as a carbon sink, under the currently defined harmonic balance for our species.

Ever year scientists make predications, at first things dropped by ten fold, than by fifty, than by 25 percent. One thing that is obvious is that the time to severe ramifications is knocking at the planet’s door. You know that little thing called Rapid Climate Change, that so many fail to acknowledge. Let us say that the annual growth rate of CO2 is 2 parts per million instead of the current 1.93. We are now at 381 ppm in the atmosphere. This means we have 119 parts per million to go before the now forecasted point of doom. At current growth rates we are looking at 60 years tops, to get everything under control.

Now it shouldn’t take a free thinking mind long to figure this out. CO2 levels continue to rise, repercussions like the melt in the Arctic, Greenland, Carbon Sinks going offline, deforestation, wild fires, droughts, water shortages, etc. are compiling and complicating the issue at hand. Here is something else that I keep an eye on that many may not. The tectonic plates and the ring of fire have seen increasing activity. Many believe this is adding to the increased temperatures of the oceans that are melting the icecap.

Ten years to bring things under control is a rather optimistic hope. Depressing, yes it is. There is however that little element I always leave left unsaid. There are millions if not billions of us that understand what is going on. We are the humane in humanity. Sadly, we are in the early stages of a new world. With any luck, we as a species, will not destroy this planet. It would be very interesting, would it not, to be around in 100-150 years to see the state of mankind? There will be a lot less of our species around. The big question is will we advance or fall back technologically? This will depend upon how many make it through, and how soon we attempt to mitigate, globally, what is happening.

Of course in our conceit we may attempt to control the planet itself, therefore expediting our own destruction. Remember students of history that great civilizations fall, and barbarity returns to our species. We are overdue for a tumble, the question still remains will the planet erase us, and instill another dominate species?

Yes, great things are happening in the global warming battle. So many of you are forever optimistic that is a good thing, really. I applaud the actions taken by every single soul upon this globe that try and fight the good fight. After all, it will in my opinion be the enclaves of the humane that survive the best.

Personally I do not share your optimism, I believe that rapid climate change will happen. I believe humanity is in for a severe reawakening to a more primeval state. This does not mean that I have given up on our species. Remember it is the humane element within us that gave rise to our species advancement. As long as the human race survives it is this element that will set us apart. In the year 2157 will mankind be in groups of hunter-gatherers or cities living under bubbles near the Arctic Circle. Perhaps we will be both, with masquerading bands of narcissist’s roaming the bad lands.

Who can tell, not I, I cannot see the future. On the other hand I can think, and to think humanity can continue along our current path without grave repercussions is an illusion of an inferior mind.

A new study released by the National Academy of Sciences October 22-26 was the basis for the (ppm) figures used in this writing. For a more scientific approach and to see the current figures and statistical information on this past seasons climate changes, look them up. With many organizations from around the globe working on this study the nations represented are, Australia, East Anglia, Austria, France, UK and the USA. Of course it is just amazing what has happened between 2000-2006.

If only the humane would survived, what a planet it would be.