Climate Change: 1. Is the Earth warming and sea-levels rising? 2. Is this a problem for humans? 3. Can/should we do something about it?

2017-10-25T09:41:46-04:00

This isn't a question as to whether people are responsible for climate change. At this point, that is an irrelevant distraction. The questions have nothing to do with POTUS, Obama, the Paris Accord, or anything else.

I'm just curious as to whether we think climate change is a problem and whether or not we can do anything about it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 10:33 AM

2017-10-25T10:33:09-04:00

Well I will only comment on the Paris accords, those accords only looked at the U.S. as a cash cow to foot others bills. Second of all those countries that signed the accord only the U.S. has already reduced it's CO2 emissions. Why should we wreck our economy, pay for others have have yet to do anything.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 10:36 AM

2017-10-25T10:36:16-04:00

Its a huge problem and it is a national security problem. We can change it however it is already too late for us. It will take at least three generations to "maybe" get us back on track. Sea levels are rising and climate has changed dramatically already. Lets just look at how many hurricanes and tornados we see. We need to lower the amount of beef we consume, lower crude oil dependency, and recycle. That's just a start, there is plenty more for us to do as humans on this planet.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 10:43 AM

2017-10-25T10:43:41-04:00

I don't think that it's an apocalyptic problem like a lot of people make it out to be. The earth has gone through natural heating and cooling cycles since it came to be. Heck, it was a big ol' ball of lava at one point. It was a sheet of ice at another.

Humans are probably the most adaptable species on the planet. If it did become apocalyptic it would suck but we'd ride it out. Regardless, the planet will be around a lot longer than we will. Even if we do screw it up, it'll get rid of us and fix itself.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 10:47 AM

2017-10-25T10:47:48-04:00

When I was in high school we were taught that the USA was going to be covered by ice. The rhetoric was just as emphatic as what I hear today about the calamity of global warming.

Our climate does cycle and we surely have some impact, but, I think our impact is grossly over stated.

What is next? I don't know, nor do I think anyone else does.

Yes, we should be good stewards of our environment, but, in the end I think the changes we see will be well beyond our control.

Response by SGT David T. made Oct 25 at 2017 11:12 AM

2017-10-25T11:12:56-04:00

Climate change is factual. The data speaks for itself. The interpretation of the data is really what is in question. I am unsure how much of it is based on our actions or simply the planetary wobble. The Earth spins and wobbles just like a top. This changes the path of the sunlight on the planet and causes the climate to shift. I think it is something like 23 degrees but I could be wrong. My thoughts are we probably aren't helping matters but to what degree I cannot say. I think we should take some steps as a precautionary measure. However, we need to balance out the short and long term effects both in terms of environmental factors as well as human/economic factors.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 25 at 2017 11:13 AM

2017-10-25T11:13:15-04:00

Is climate change a problem? No. The weather (as opposed to climate) changes daily and the prediction accuracy looks like less than 50%--depending on where you live. Climate is a different matter. In military terms it might be considered the international strategic political-military realm of activity. Climate changes slowly and has changed with or without human influence over the entire existence of the planet. The subject of climate is large, complex, and difficult to predict. Within the span of human history, climate has changed from very cold (ice ages) to very warm with local conditions changing a great deal over time according to archeologists. The planet and life forms thereon survived these climate changes because they happened gradually and the lifeforms that survived adapted. Doubtlessly climate change is happening now. Statistics do not support a dramatic warming or cooling of the planet over the last 20 years or even since 1880. Deviation appear to be less than 1 degree Celsius. The change is slow enough that man can adapt. Will climate change be a problem in 100 years. I won't know. In fact very few of us will be alive to know. I believe we can accurately predict that humans will continue to adapt to their environment and climate change over the next 100 years really won't matter much. It's possible in that time span, humans may actually figure out how to control weather making the whole climate change debate mute.
Can humans do anything about climate change? No. I'm not convinced humans have the power to change the planet as much as necessary to effect climate. We may effect weather in some areas. Certainly things like air pollution and water pollution effect environments where they happen. Fortunately the planet has the means to clean itself and resolve most of the pollutants humans create. The most influential effect humans might have is the future manipulation of weather. If we gain the power and expertise to change weather in localities to suite human needs, then we might change the climate. For example, turning deserts into verdant farm land might actually influence the global climate.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Oct 25 at 2017 11:35 AM

2017-10-25T11:35:48-04:00

Big problem. Even if it’s a natural cycle Norfolk and other coastal naval bases are in trouble and something has to be done. DOD will need a lot of money

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 25 at 2017 12:34 PM

2017-10-25T12:34:06-04:00

Yes, absolutely, the earth is warming every day, then cools at night. Sea-levels rise, twice a day in some places. It's call a flood tide. However, each one is matched by an ebb tide during which time sea levels fall. Are these problems for humans? Yes, but we dress for the weather. Well, at least those with common sense do. Anything else you need to know?

Response by Dennis Aubuchon made Oct 25 at 2017 3:31 PM

2017-10-25T15:31:00-04:00

I do not believe climate change is a fact based on the information being reported by the media and some politicians. There is contradicting information being presented which adds to the unreliability of individuals and politicians claiming climate change is occurring. Politicians seem to ignore the information refuting their conclusions that climate change is a problem indicating they believe they are correct and other opinions have no reliability. Our climate is constantly changing from one year to another and in fact there appears to be a cycle that takes place every so many years from cold winters to warm winters. There are so many variables that exist today and what actually impacts the change in temperatures is hard to determine much less if we as humans can impact any significant change in our environment. In addition politicians seem to say one thing but their actions seem to ignore what they are preaching like using private jets to fly around or having huge homes which they must heat an cool.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 25 at 2017 3:33 PM

2017-10-25T15:33:11-04:00

MAJ Bryan Zeski 1. Yes, 2. Yes. 3. Hopefully. NRL Navy Research Lab was one of the First Government/Military Organizations to Raise the Red Flag about this and Scream the Loudest About It. Sailors Know what a Nightmare it is For Us and How We Operate.