Global warming 'irreversible' for next 1000 years

[brammy]

and on a related note:

Climate change takes a mental toll

Last year, an anxious, depressed 17-year-old boy was admitted to the psychiatric unit at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. He was refusing to drink water. Worried about drought related to climate change, the young man was convinced that if he drank, millions of people would die. The Australian doctors wrote the case up as the first known instance of "climate change delusion."

Robert Salo, the psychiatrist who runs the inpatient unit where the boy was treated, has now seen several more patients with psychosis or anxiety disorders focused on climate change, as well as children who are having nightmares about global-warming-related natural disasters.

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/a ... ntal_toll/

[dr_bob]

. . . and in case you haven't noticed there are eating disorders, learning disorders, sleep disorders, multiple types of anxiety disorders from walking in public to using public restrooms, several categories of irrational fear disorders as well as nightmares about Freddie Krueger, the Mummy, and Jason of Friday the 13th fame. Your point is what? If we talk about an issue or make an issue a priority we run the risk of creating yet another disorder? I wonder how long it will be before some psychiatrists document that there are global recession disorders (experienced mostly by the offspring of wealthy unemployed CEOs) caused by the constant discussion of failing financial systems and the fear that economic bailouts will not be enough to save their college funds and vacations in Aspen.

[brammy]

My point exactly, Dr Bob!

But the real question is ... what drug shall we use to treat "climate change delusion" ???
The combo of prozac and a polo mallet comes to mind.

(thank you Woody Allen)

[dr_bob]

I have an idea. There seems to be a great deal of passion on all sides of this issue -- and I include myself. Right now in Australia hundreds of square miles of land have been burned and more will be burned in the coming days. Some of these fires were set by man, others weren't. And whether the heat and drought that is helping to fuel these fires is a result of normal cycles of the sun or a result of man's treatment of the environment, I'll bet our members in Australia don't care much. They are losing friends, losing homes, and losing natural resources.

Members of this Forum seem to be an intelligent bunch who care about each other. Why don't we take our passion and care and discuss what steps we can all take (regardless of what our beliefs are about the causes or even the existence of global warming) to improve our environment whether the conditions we are now experiencing are naturally cyclical, man affected, or purely occurring by chance. I for one am tired of looking backward to blame and suggest that we all look forward. Any ideas other than voting people out who don't agree with us or arguing incessantly for our position?

[winston]

If we have common concensus that the thread has run its course Bob, we can lock it. All in favour? Or alternatively shall we let it continue?

[dr_bob]

Hey Brian, I'm never one for stopping productive dialogue but what we've been doing, me included, is far from productive. To be honest I don't much care if the thread gets locked or not.

We are faced with huge problems everywhere and all we can do, all of us, is cite sources that say we are right. That is a sad statement.

[longboard_ric]

Let's have a brief look at what has happened here over the last couple of weeks.

Record high temperatures have destroyed much of our primary industry. Fruit and vegetable crops have been ruined, not for lack of irrigation but simply by the heat. For some years grain crop yeilds have been diminishing, as anticipated rains never arrive. Our dams are at 32% capacity and falling, and water restrictions will get tougher.

Then, on the hottest day of all, fires rage out of control, 173 people are confirmed dead, and police believe the number could be up to 300. Seven hundred homes have been lost and a million acres of forest has been destroyed along with native fauna.

If this pattern of weather continues, we will see these events re-occur at increasingly shorter intervals.

Just consider the impact on your way of life, you can't grow any food and water is in short supply. The effects go on and on.

Everyone has an opinion on the GW/CC issue. Those who see it as a man made (or exacerbated ) problem, are trying to do something about it. Skeptics make a mockery of this "problem" and laugh it off.

If it is man made then hopefully it can be turned around.

If it is not the fault of mankind, then it is unlikely we can do anything to stop it. And this is where it should ring alarm bells. Oh, it's healthy to be a skeptic, and cast scorn on those who believe they see a problem, but what are you really achieving. The way I see it, we have to definitley establish the causes and then set about rectifying the problem if that is possible. This involves rational debate and detailed analysis of data. Scientists have to put their pride aside and work together to achieve this.

Many scientists believe Australia is a world model for the effects of GG/CC.

If recent events are an indicator of what will happen in years to come, I have good reason to be alarmed.

Think about it.

[brammy]

Despite what we're currently seeing downunder, average temps have declined in the last 10 years. Which "alarm bell" do we ring, global warming or global cooling? And if Mr Sun is to blame, who will answer the bell... God?

Do what you like.... just dont ruin a world economy thats already in big trouble with unproven and HIGHLY challenged theories based on faulty computer models that cant even predict today's temps let alone future ones.

[longboard_ric]

Kent,for some reason I hoped for a sensible reply but all we get is mockery.

You are correct Kent, it is all about the money: your money it appears.

Just remember, Kent, you can't take it with you.

In the meantime I hope you eat well and your glass is full, 'cos you just don't give a stuff about anyone else.

[winston]

Sorry guys..............this has been a great debate but I think it has run its course and feelings are starting to get hurt. If anyone wants to say something else that is germane to the discussion and that has not been said, just PM me with the content.

Note:

I have been asked by a number of forum members to express their apologies to our Australian forum members, in particular for any unintended insensitivity as this debate reached its zenith.