Comments on: 55 Million Years Ago, Things Got Worse

By: ias

ias — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:01:14 +0000

Oh, yea… right! 55 Million years ago it was “man” with his polluting cars that caused the Earth’s Climate Change! Amazing how we ALL use the words “Climate Change” as if it was a new word or experience in life. Climate Change is the difference between it being Sunny and cloudy; Rainy and Windy; Snowy and… err… Earthquake…y!

Is “man” to blame for the destructive winds in our World 55 million years ago.. NO! Why therefore are we “the people” tolerant of the Politics that has provided the platform for business opportunities and incentives for UN Scientists to exploit? It is truly a disgrace!! Why do we continue to be gullible? Where is our TV debate where UN scientists, opposing Scientists, Politicians and “the people” from both sides allowed to question this Politically influenced Myth? Hell, we sure had a televised debate on Iraq! So why not on “the biggest threat to manking?”

By: Carlos

Carlos — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 03:29:37 +0000

Mike,
Carbon dioxide and many other pollutants act as insulators that trap the heat from the sun’s radiation in the atmosphere.
To visualize this effect, imagine you are outside in regular summer clothing and you walk into an air conditioned store. You cool down extremely quickly because the only insulation you have on is your summer clothing and your skin. Now imagine the same scenario but instead you are wearing several layers of clothing; a couple of pairs of socks, a large sweater, boots, and a parka. The extra insulation ensures that you will remain very warm.

Exactly Steven! History is consistent in this fact. Everything will end in time. Some humans are trying very desperately to postpone the inevitable while even more are accelerating it.

By: Dr. Steven Richter PhD

Dr. Steven Richter PhD — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:24:32 +0000

Carlos is in essence quite right. Mankinds idea that they are meant to survive on this planet or entitled to continue existing in the universe stems from an extremely narrow understanding of the universe as a whole. Take for example the thousands of species that dissappear from this planet every year due to isolated changes in their specific climate niches, now expand that view from just one ecosystem or planet to the universe, it’s just a matter of time until humans bite the big one as a whole.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:13:38 +0000

This is interesting. This is the first study I have read which shows that CO2 may proceed warming, not follow it. Inconclusive to be sure at this point, but interesting.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:11:43 +0000

That’s right Hank.
The Earth will survive just fine and it will heal itself in time as well just as it did in the past. The plain fact is that humans have completely fucked this planet and there is no indication of change. If you want encouraging thoughts, go ask your mom.

To answer your question Cameron, and I can only speculate, but I’d assume that once the climate becomes intolerable for humans and many other species to survive the carbon dioxide levels will drop very quickly. By quickly, I mean a few million years possibly.

Since vegetation will be the predominant life form at this point, levels of oxygen will grow while co2 is depleted.

After another 55 million years or so we can expect the cycle to happen again when another self righteous, self entitling life form takes it upon themselves to trash the planet once again for their own gain.

By: Alison

Alison — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:47:02 +0000

@bob: yes, the north pole is just ice, but if you check out a map, have a look at the Arctic Circle, there is plenty of land up there for palm trees and crocodiles. (Say, Northern Alaska, parts of Canada, Lapland…)

By: Cameron

Cameron — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:57:44 +0000

The Earth cooled via Ice Age. The Ocean’s currents can’t function under warmer temperatures and that stops warm weather for much of Europe early on, but more importantly leads to the Ice Age all over again.

By: Hank Fox

Hank Fox — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:24:28 +0000

Yeah, well, as people often say “Planet Earth will survive just fine.”

It’s wonderful to see such broad-mindedness.

Probably somebody this broadminded could lose their mother in a car wreck and still say “There are plenty of moms in the world. Motherhood will survive just fine.”

Keep having those encouraging thoughts, guy.

By: Guest

Guest — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:30:38 +0000

What was the percentage of carbon dioxide compared to what it is today?

By: Obbop

Obbop — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 09:50:31 +0000

What happens in the Palaeocene/Eocene era stays in the Palaeocene/Eocene era.

By: S

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 09:31:38 +0000

This leaves one big question unanswered–how did Earth cool again?

By: CCNA Discovery

CCNA Discovery — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:55:37 +0000

An interesting post. Thanks for sharing!

By: Brad Tronchetti

Brad Tronchetti — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:27:27 +0000

If we were to see a sudden increase in volcanic activity today, with our current rate of global warming, the pace of global warming could accelerate exponentially.