Runaway Planet: How Global Warming is Already Changing the Earth
()
About this ebook
The climate change debate raged on in America in 2015, but the facts and the science now show irrefutably that our world is rapidly changing, and that irreparable damage has already begun. From rising sea levels to the spread of disease-carrying insects, from disappearing glaciers to the hottest temperatures ever recorded, climate change as a direct result of human beings’ actions affects everyone, and for many it is a matter of life or death.
But progress is being made—with an historic United Nations meeting in Paris, with pledges by over one hundred countries to reduce emissions, with simple awareness. While many changes cannot be undone, great strides can still be made to stabilize regions most likely to be affected by climate change over the course of future generations.
The Washington Post tackles this issue in vivid detail, profiling those who are at the forefront of the climate change debate—and those who are in the field, promoting the causes and doing the science that both warns and advocates for a safer tomorrow, for the earth and all its inhabitants.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post has built an unparalleled reputation in its coverage of American politics and related topics. The paper’s circulation, prominence, and influence continue to grow.
Read more from The Washington Post
The Original Watergate Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Civil War Stories: A 150th Anniversary Collection Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5NSA Secrets: Government Spying in the Internet Age Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Democracy Inc.: How Members of Congress Have Cashed In On Their Jobs Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Holiday Cookies: 45 of our Best Recipes Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5State of Terror: The War Against ISIS Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsObama vs. Romney: The "Take" on Election 2012 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Great Society: 50 Years Later Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAmerica's Best Food Cities Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUncovering Trump: The Truth Behind Donald Trump's Charitable Giving Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Generation Z: What It's Like to Grow up in the Age of Likes, LOLs and Longing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Mueller Report Illustrated: The Obstruction Investigation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Washington Post Pulitzers: Carol Leonnig, National Reporting Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsObama: The Evolution of a President Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Washington Post Pulitzers: Gene Weingarten, Feature Writing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Case Against Cosby: Sex-Assault Allegations Recast Star’s Legacy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInternational Reporting: The War in Iraq Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsZero Day: The Threat In Cyberspace Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Guns in America Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 2016 Contenders: Ted Cruz Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe 2016 Contenders: Chris Christie Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Hunt for Bin Laden Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Justice in Indian Country Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fight to the Finish: How the Washington Nationals Rallied to Become 2019 World Series Champions Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Obama's Legacy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWorth the Wait: The Washington Capitals' Memorable Journey to the 2018 Stanley Cup Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJustice For None: How the Drug War Broke the Legal System Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Evolution of Bruce Jenner Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKids Around the World Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5
Related to Runaway Planet
Related ebooks
The Mueller Report: Complete Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Presidential Election Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRicky Williams: Dreadlocks to Ditka Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Journey with Margaret Thatcher: Foreign Policy Under the Iron Lady Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCambodia and Kent State: In the Aftermath of Nixon’s Expansion of the Vietnam War Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bryce Harper Story: Rise of a Young Slugger Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary of Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Road to Reality: Voted Off the Island!... Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Tornado TRUMP, Superhero! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTHE MUELLER REPORT: The Full Report on Donald Trump, Collusion, and Russian Interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIn the Locker Room: Tales of the Pittsburgh Steelers from the Playing Field to the Broadcast Booth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe 2016 Contenders: Mike Huckabee Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsReynolds Remembers: 20 Years with the Sacramento Kings Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Sports Illustrated The Baseball Vault: Great Writing from the Pages of Sports Illustrated Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Trump Legacy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSneaking Into the Flying Circus: How the Media Turn Our Presidential Campaigns into Freak Shows Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Summary of Eric O'Neill's Gray Day Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMerv Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Nightmare Scenario: Inside the Trump Administration's Response to the Pandemic That Changed History Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Summary of John Heilemann & Mark Halperin's Game Change Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsState of the Union Addresses Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAll-New Fire 7 User Guide: Newbie to Expert in 2 Hours Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings1999: Victory Without War Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A Favor for FDR Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Ultimate Guide to the 2020 Election: 101 Nonpartisan Solutions to All the Issues that Matter Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWe Promised You a Great Main Event: An Unauthorized WWE History Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMore George W. Bushisms: More of Slate's Accidental Wit and Wisdom of Our 43rd President Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 20th Century Phillies by the Numbers: You Can't Tell the Players Without a Scorecard Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMad Hoops Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWounded Titans: American Presidents and the Perils of Power Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Trump's Cabinet: The Rise of Each Appointed Deplorable Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Public Policy For You
The Art of War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race and Identity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Just Mercy: a story of justice and redemption Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bowling Alone: Revised and Updated: The Collapse and Revival of American Community Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The People's Hospital: Hope and Peril in American Medicine Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Blow Up a Pipeline: Learning to Fight in a World on Fire Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chasing the Scream: The Inspiration for the Feature Film "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Affluent Society Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Price We Pay: What Broke American Health Care--and How to Fix It Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Diversity Delusion: How Race and Gender Pandering Corrupt the University and Undermine Our Culture Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Nobody: Casualties of America's War on the Vulnerable, from Ferguson to Flint and Beyond Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Abolition of Sex: How the “Transgender” Agenda Harms Women and Girls Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Men without Work: Post-Pandemic Edition (2022) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Social Security 101: From Medicare to Spousal Benefits, an Essential Primer on Government Retirement Aid Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Talking to My Daughter About the Economy: or, How Capitalism Works--and How It Fails Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Capital in the Twenty-First Century Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5America: The Farewell Tour Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Deception: The Great Covid Cover-Up Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5How We Do Harm: A Doctor Breaks Ranks About Being Sick in America Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Runaway Planet
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Runaway Planet - The Washington Post
Introduction
2015 is sure to be remembered as a historic year – and, likely, a turning point – in the climate change debate.
A dramatic El Nino event means 2015 is virtually assured to be the hottest year on record. It's also the year that Pope Francis reframed the narrative and made the climate issue about protecting the poor and vulnerable. And the U.S. finally launched a policy to curb greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, in the form of the Clean Power Plan.
Most of all, though, it's the year when the world at last mobilized to take action on climate change at a historic United Nations meeting in Paris, France. With well over 100 pledges by individual countries to cut their emissions, the eventalready has consolidated more climate action than occurred at the ill-starred 2009 Copenhagen climate conference.
So many signs of action, and so many reasons for it – but as this book shows, the problem is far from fixed, and major changes are already upon us. Countries are now racing against time and very simple physics, and, at least on a few fronts, it's a race they’re losing.
Glaciers around the world are in rapid retreat – both smaller, mountain glaciers based on land and much larger glaciers, sometimes rooted deep below sea level, in key parts of Greenland and Antarctica. This represents nothing less than the early stages of what scientists might call a deglaciation – a planetary shift into a world featuring less ice on land or above sea level, which means much more water in the oceans and, thus, higher seas.
Meanwhile, as temperatures creep upward, major changes to biological systems are also underway. After all, temperatures are a crucial influence on the underlying chemistry of life itself.
Not every change is immediate and dramatic. Some are subtle or even nearly invisible – such as the spread of insects that carry tropical diseases into more northern latitudes. But that, too, is already happening.
So where does it end? The world's negotiators are now trying to land the plane and hoping there is still some runway left. But it doesn't help that this is our first flight.
The widely cited temperature target of holding warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels – previously considered to be a safe
threshold for climate change, though recently many doubts have been raised about this – is not yet within reach. Currently pledged emissions cuts are insufficient to get there. And as these pages show, even with about 1 degree Celsius of temperature rise so far above the temperatures