It's not actually entirely clear that global warming would reverse, after certain thresholds are passed, due to the threat of melting
methane clathrates in areas where permafrost is retreating. Essentially, once a certain level of heating has been obtained, several very dangerous positive feedback loops start to kick in, where ices containing greehouse gases melt, releasing more greenhouse gases which heat the earth more, contributing to further ice melt.
Right now what we must do is focus on greenhouse gas reduction, and climate change mitigation, to minimize the impacts of climate change.
What are these impacts? Well, contrary to common misconception, global warming does not simply mean 'everything is slightly warmer'. Weather, as it does today, will vary: in the future, we expect to see the variation grow wider, with the average temperature rising. What this means is that weather in general will be more erratic, and our atmosphere will have more energy in general. What does this mean for us?
Higher energy atmosphere means more storms, bigger storms, and more extreme weather events. It will also push climate bands away from the equator. The single most significant impact of this will be the northward push of deserts in the northern hemisphere, which will disrupt some of the world's critical food production regions. Another major problem is due to the fact that warming temperatures are at their most extreme around the poles. Here, a vast amount of water is contained in solid form in the ice caps. These caps are melting rapidly, and as they melt, they contribute to a rising sea level. Coupled with the thermal expansion of water (warmer water expands to take up more space), these processes lead to a
rise in global sea levels. Given the fact that so much of human civilization is built at sea level, sea level rise is a very expensive, creeping disaster.
Overall, we face a more erratic, unpredictable environment, worse storms, reduced food security due to desertification, the gradual flooding of low-lying countries and coastal cities, and all of the humanitarian disasters that are implicit therein. If we are able to see this coming, then I think it would be horrendously irresponsible to not even try to prevent or mitigate these disasters. Thus, governments need to respond with limitations on the production of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane being three of the most significant human-influenced gases), and need to dedicate themselves to a shift away from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas and towards renewable energy. Nuclear energy is a potential solution, but whether or not we should embrace nuclear power is opening up an entirely different kettle of worms.
Lifestyles in general will have to change in developed countries, although fortunately for us there are many ways that individuals can act to diminish their individual impact.
Here is the first link I got by searching 'reducing your carbon footprint'.
Anyway, I spent the last year working in a subarctic climate change lab, so I think I have a fairly good grip of all of the major points of climate change. I would highly recommend people to do some internet research of their own on this topic, as it really is something that affects us all.
You can educate yourself here! This is a free online series of videos and tutorials that I highly recommend!
It outlines the major features of climate change. It's super-handy as both a reference and as a learning tool for someone who doesn't know about the science underlying the phenomenon of climate change. It's taught at an introductory level, so it shouldn't be very intimidating even for someone with no knowledge in the area, and if you do run into anything confusing then I'll happily try to answer any questions that arise.
For what can be regarded as the scientific consensus, here is the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change official website. Warning, it is much more dense, technical, and it is an overview of the field in general.
Looking forward to discussion!
