Zero temp rise means zero carbon emissions needed

The message from several scientific journals is that, in essence we must freeze carbon dioxide output now to have a real chance of stopping global warming.

Oregon State University professor Andreas Schmittner, lead author of a Feb. 14 article in the journal Global Biogeochemical Cycles, said his modeling indicates that if global emissions continue on a “business as usual” path for the rest of the century, the Earth will warm by 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. If emissions do not drop to zero until 2300, he calculated, the temperature rise at that point would be more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

“This is tremendous,” Schmittner said. “I was struck by the fact that the warming continues much longer even after emissions have declined. . . . Our actions right now will have consequences for many, many generations. Not just for a hundred years, but thousands of years.”

That’s a huge issue. But, as others in the story note, long-term political will is usually lacking, and not just in Washington, but any major government.

Likelihood of freezing CO2, whether Republicans or Democrats control the White House or Congress? Not much.