Adapting to Global warming?

Question

People say global warming is going to kill everybody. But since global warming doesnt happen in a day, wouldnt we be able to adapt to the harsh environment? Because its gonna warm up slowly, not quickly.

Answer 1

Evolution takes thousands, even millions, of years. It will only take about 100 years for the earth to warm up to about 10 degrees Celsius, at the rate we're going now.

Answer 2

Yes.  We will adapt to global warming.....or cooling.

Bob,

Jim Manzi.... the author of the article you refer to in National review makes a good point that GW should be further discussed, but in an earlier piece that he submitted to NR (online), he states his uncertainty regarding the impact or certainty of GW.  Manzi does not speak for the NR.... the NR is pretty good about accepting articles from all viewpoints, though admittedly... it leans heavily to the right.

Prediction Time

Global-warming "truths" are not as certain as some claim them to be.

March 20, 2007 12:00 AM

By Jim Manzi

No global climate model has ever demonstrated that it can reliably predict the climate over multiple years or decades—never.

The available evidence indicates that it is probable (though not strictly scientifically proven) that human activities have increased global temperatures to date and will likely continue to do so. But in spite of all the table-pounding, nobody can reliably quantify the size of these future impacts, or even bound them sufficiently to guide action. The total impact of global temperatures over the next century could plausibly range from negligible to severe. Long-term climate prediction is in its infancy, and improved forecast reliability is crucial to enable useful guidance for policymakers. Better science could give us what is most need in this debate: more light and less heat.

Answer 3

The Earth stopped warming in 1998.  We're entering into a cold phase that is expected to last 30 - 40 years.

Enjoy the warmth while it's here.

Answer 4

Did you not hear? The EU said it would cost 20 billions to stop GW so we are safe now.

Answer 5

good thought, but not possible. it's warming intensely and will cause immediate damage to everyone so it will impossible to adapt to on the scale we are on now. but it is true in the sense that originally, global warming does occur naturally, but slow enough for us to adapt to

Answer 6

The earth has undergone some intense changes over time, including minor and major ice ages and warm spells. During these changes, some species adapt and others become extinct. Humans are a relatively new species, making adaption tougher. When scientists theorize about the effects of global warming, they take into acount the fact that humans have looked relatively the same for thousands of years. Thus the rate of human adaptation is much slower than that of most animals. It is probable that a large percentage of the animal world will adapt to global warming, by growing less hair and reducing body fat. It is also likely that animals that reside near the poles will become scare or extinct. It is impossible to know exactly how global warming will effect us, but chances are we'll develop tanner skin and less body hair.

Answer 7

Who`s is We,,, I have snow

Answer 8

Yes, it's going to warm up slowly, but global warming is also slowly engulfing the world in water. It is possible to move the couple billion people in the world away from the coast and the islands, but the few places available will be soooo cramped...and will eventually be underwater anyway. I guess you could adapt to that. Just like you can adapt to droughts (personally I don't think it's possible...we NEED water to survive) and the increasing amount of natural disasters (again, not possible). Yeah, I guess you could adapt to that. NOT.

Living underwater might solve the problem...except there's nothing you can do about the whole natural disaster thing. Our best bet is living on ANOTHER PLANET...or stopping global warming altogether.

Answer 9

It's not going to kill everyone. It is but one of many manifestations of mankind's poor stewardship of the planet.  

Earth can support only so much human population, natural resource consumption and pollution to put it in very simple terms.

We have exceeded many of these carrying capacity thresholds.

There are far ranging estimates as to how many people and at what life style level sustainability can be found.

The US has 5% of the global population, but consumes 24% of the total natural resources available and as a result contributes 27% of the total pollution.

And Americans ask why the world wants them to lead the way to a sustainable future...

DAH!!!

Answer 10

The problem is that flooding along the coasts will cost hundreds of billions of dollars to "adapt" to.  The same is true of damage to agriculture.

It's far cheaper to reduce global warming.  But, since we can't stop it, we'll have to also adapt some.

The proper balance between adaptation and prevention (100% either is clearly wrong) is a worthy topic of debate.  Unlike debating the facts of global warming, which are undeniable.

Which is exactly what the New Republic means:

"National Review (the most prestigious conservative magazine) published a cover story calling on conservatives to shake off denial and get into the climate policy debate"