Good news and bad news about climate change

Doctor: “ I have some bad news and some worse news.”

Patient: “Well, might as well give me the bad news first.”

Doctor: “The lab called with your test results. They said you have 24 hours to live.”

Patient: “24 hours. That’s horrible! What could be worse?”

Doctor: “I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday.”

Environmental Scientist: “I have bad news and some worse news.”

Earth Resident: “Well, might as well give me the bad news first.”

Environmental Scientist: “The man-made concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas in our atmosphere from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) is causing a disruption to the climate equilibrium (global warming). This has far-reaching implications for the survival of multiple plant and animal species that will not be able to adapt to increased global temperatures.”

Earth Resident: “Why should I care? Isn’t this just the natural variation of global temperatures?”

Environmental Scientist: “No, worldwide measurements indicate a steady rise in C02 concentrations, that if not abated, could reach levels associated with 19 previous mass extinctions. Currently, according to the Union for Conservation of Nature, 32% of all species across all ecosystems and groups are decreasing in abundance and range.’”

Earth Resident: “That’s horrible! What could be worse?”

Environmental Scientist: “Homo sapiens could become extinct.”

Earth Resident: “Are we doomed?”

Environmental Scientist: “There is still time to reduce the concentration of CO2 In the atmosphere to reverse the worst effects. But we must act now!”

David Gerleman

Swisher