Ralph Josephsohn: Climate change is a Pogo no-go - Longmont Times-Call

Ralph Josephsohn: Climate change is a Pogo no-go - Longmont Times-Call

Cartoonist Walt Kelly created the comic strip “Pogo.” Pogo was a perspicacious possum making astute observations about the world we live in. Pogo promoted environmental awareness in 1970 to commemorate the first observance of Earth Day. A cartoon depicted Pogo with a trash pick-up stick and burlap bag cleaning garbage, quipping “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Pogo was spot on. We more than ever are our own worst enemy. We generate humongous amounts of greenhouse gases as a byproduct of burning fossil fuels of coal, oil and natural gas. This generates greenhouse gasses which are responsible for a phenomena known as climate change. Fossil fuels ignite the burner under a frying pan in Mother Earth’s kitchen.

Scientists have opined that July of 2023 likely included some of the hottest days on Earth in centuries. The highest recorded global daily temperatures occurred over four consecutive days. These blistering temperatures represent global averages. The frigid poles, high-altitude mountains, and winter in the southern hemisphere all are factored into this alarming, record shattering climate statistic.

It is theorized that the impact of an asteroid or comet which struck the Earth 65 million years ago caused the extinction of dinosaurs by blocking sunlight, thereby changing the climate, and setting off global wildfires. The astronomical catastrophe which occurred in the far distant past should provide humanity with an incentive to significantly curtail the chances of an environmental catastrophe caused by greenhouse gasses in the immediate present. Greenhouse gasses fueled by complacency are the enemy. Humanity is its accomplice. Mankind is currently following the dinosaur’s dead-end path to extinction. If complacency can be overcome, and enforceable commitments made to abate and reverse the perils of unrestrained rampant greenhouse gas emissions, extinction probably can still be avoided.

In the world there are an estimated 1.446 billion cars, and more than 335 million commercial vehicles propelled by fossil fuel. There are tens of thousands of commercial, military and private aircraft. The cement industry surprisingly is responsible for generating more greenhouse gases than does aviation. The predominant greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide, with lesser amounts of nitrous oxide and methane. A coordinated and effective strategy to curtail fossil fuel usage would unavoidably impose a stifling burden on the international economy, channels of commerce, and the supply chain of goods and agricultural products. Millions of motor vehicles would be parked as an enormous monument to the death of climate. If stacked they would tower over the Great Pyramids of Giza. Humanity will necessarily and inescapably be bound to use fossil fuels for some time into the future, irrespective of the perils of climate change. Humanity isn’t Harry Houdini, able to escape from the bonds of fossil fuel dependency.

Scientists predict the global average temperature is on track to rise to a catastrophic 2.5° to 4.5° C (4.5° to 8.1° F) by 2100 without a comprehensive international commitment to significantly reduce fossil fuel emissions. The situation could get very serious before then. Once a critical 1.5° C (2.7° F) temperature elevation threshold is reached, there will be increasing heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons. Humanity is currently exposed to a sweltering preview of climate change. Fertile fields turn into parched dust bowls. Fires consume forests. Famine and disease plague swaths of humanity. When the 2° C (3.6° F) temperature threshold is traversed, tolerance levels detrimental to the survival of large segments of humanity will be reached. Even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to net zero by 2040, there remains a two-thirds chance the 1.5° C temperature elevation will be reached by the middle of this century notwithstanding a significant reduction of heat-trapping gases. Due to the existing surplus of greenhouse gases, the Earth’s temperature will continue to rise, albeit at a diminishing pace, for decades before excessive carbon dioxide is removed through natural processes from the atmosphere.

There remains some finite time to ward off a climate change disaster severe enough to threaten the extinction of the human species. We all must set aside short sighted self interests for the greater common good. This will require subordinating nonessential economic interests and personal conveniences to defeat the enemy which is us.

Ralph Josephsohn is a longtime resident of Longmont and a semi-retired attorney.