Tipping points could arrive suddenly

A recent study by Dr. Alan Hastings, professor at University of California, Davis in the USA and one of the world’s foremost mathematical model experts, forecasts that sudden shifts in the Earth’s natural systems could arrive precipitously, without warning. Such tipping points, which could come in response to global warming effects like the disappearance of Arctic sea ice in summer, would lead to more dramatic and relentless changes in climate, in turn disrupting other ecosystems and larger weather patterns.

Other effects that could trigger tipping points include accelerated ice loss from Greenland and the Antarctic, leading to massive sea level rises, and carbon dioxide saturation of ocean waters, with acidification that would endanger all life.

Dr Hastings offered a warning summary of the study’s implications as he stated, “This means that some effects of global climate change on ecosystems can be seen only once the effects are dramatic.

By that point, returning the system to a desirable state will be difficult, if not impossible.” Dr. Hastings, we are grateful for your expert voice on this urgent topic.

Let us avert such disturbing consequences by adopting harmonious and sustainable lifestyles now. Speaking with concern about such sudden environmental changes, Supreme Master Ching Hai highlighted the key to their prevention during an October 2008 global warming videoconference in Thailand.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: There’s no other way we can prevent such a disaster like this. We can only wait and see because we don’t know when it will strike us and where and what we can prepare anyway.

Even if we stockpile some food and all that, it is not always helpful. It just makes the world food shortage worsen. So, we can only rely on the good karma that we can create. And that we can do.

We can save ourselves right now by turning into vegan diet which is benevolent, which is very compassionate, and by being compassionate to others, Heaven will be compassionate to us.

Everything will return to a more peaceful abundance because Heaven is merciful. And we have to start to be merciful like Heaven; then we can experience Heaven.

http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=9389
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209191445.htm

Sea deforestation could be another tipping point

Recent studies in Japan have revealed that certain underwater areas of once lush sea grass have all but disappeared. Such regions have been called the “cradle of the seas” because they supply vital food, oxygen and habitat for fish. However, when the seaweed beds vanish, so does all other life, as observed near Shizuoka Prefecture, where an underwater area previously filled with species such as abalone, flounder, sea bream and others is now barren and empty.

According to the Marine Ecology Research Institute in Tokyo, climate change is a contributing factor, as the warming waters cause certain fish to stay active in the winter rather than hibernate, resulting in continued feeding on the seagrass.

Moreover, humans’ revival efforts through replanting alone have thus far been unsuccessful, with a study of 129 seaweed beds indicating that a tipping point may have been reached beyond which no restoration is possible.

A report from Japan’s Environment Ministry corroborated, stating that when the environment changes beyond the stage that the seaweed beds can regenerate naturally, attempts to stem their loss could be too late.

Our earnest appreciation, Japan’s Environment Ministry, Marine Ecology Research Institute and all participating scientists for citing yet another aspect of the dire state of our oceans.

Let us quickly adopt more sustainable ways to protect the Earth and her amazing seas. Speaking during an interview for the July 12, 2009 edition of the Irish Sunday Independent, Supreme Master Ching Hai emphasized as in previous times the critical actions that would not only save lives but would restore the entire ecosphere.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: The truth is that, scientifically speaking, we have a short time left because we have already waited too long to act. Leading scientists and organizations are now saying this as well, especially as they find that the tipping points, which indicate irreversible damage to the Earth, are being reached much faster than anyone had previously thought and calculated.

See, We need the solution, which is organic life-saving vegan diet, then our future is transformed. Life will quickly become better than what you could even imagine. With no more killing, humans and animals alike will flourish in peace, and the world will be restored to beauty and happiness.

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201002070166.html

Antarctic glaciers’ tipping points could be looming closer

A new study from a team of British scientists collaborating from Oxford and Cambridge Universities has found that global warming related changes to aspects of Antarctic glaciers known as grounding lines are speeding ice sheet disintegration, which in is forecast to bring significant global sea level rise.

Noting that in 2004, Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier was already melting 25% faster than 30 years previously, the researchers state that this glacier likely passed a tipping point in 1996. If the same happens to neighboring Thwaite’s Glacier, the world could easily be facing increased sea levels of 52 centimeters.

Lead author Dr. Richard Katz of Oxford University's Department of Earth Sciences cautioned of a further disintegration, that of the entire Western Antarctic shelf, as he stated, “The volume of ice locked up in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is equivalent to a sea level rise of around 3.3 meters.

Our model shows how instability in the grounding line, caused by gradual climatic changes, has the potential to reach a 'tipping point' where disintegration of the ice sheet could occur.

He concluded by saying, “We should be concerned about tipping points in West Antarctica and we should do a lot more work to investigate.”

Dr. Katz and all collaborating scientists at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, we appreciate your insights into the impact of global warming on the ice sheets of the Antarctic. May humanity realize now the growing urgency of our situation and adopt lifestyles that save our planet. Concerned for the welfare of all beings,
Supreme Master Ching Hai once again spoke of the the crisis of our warming Earth as well as the way to avert it during an August 2008 videoconference with our Association members in Canada.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: The time of disappearing of the ice means also the spelling of trouble for our planet. Of course it would be better if we already saved the planet before the ice melted.

But as it is, we can only do the best we can and trying to inform everybody to save themselves by being vegan. If the ice melts quicker, then, of course, we have shorter time to save the planet.

But nevertheless because people are joining the vegan diet, we still can manage to save the world.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100116103350.htm
http://news.mongabay.com/2010/0114-hance_antglacier.html

Leading US climatologist calls for urgent action to avoid planetary disaster

Dr. James Hansen, Director of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Institute for Space Studies, has said that climatic tipping points are rapidly approaching with potential irreversibility if greenhouse gas emissions are not promptly slowed. He points out that we are on a present course to reach 450 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere, which would incur a several meters rise in sea level and runaway climate change. On the SolveClimate website, he stated, “This is a problem that demands strong leadership. The only special interest that should be calling the tune is the public’s special interest.”

Our earnest appreciation, Dr. James Hansen for your persevering efforts to raise awareness about the immediacy of this dangerous warming trend. Let us all become leaders by adopting the planet-cooling organic, plant-based diet to sustain both our lives and others.

Supreme Master Ching Hai often shares her insights to help us as we face the dangers of global warming, as in the following excerpt from an October 2008 videoconference in Thailand.

Supreme Mastet Ching Hai: We cannot prepare much. Even if we stockpile some food and all that, it is not always helpful. It just makes the world food shortage worsen. So we can only rely on the good karma that we can create. And that we can do.

We can save ourselves right now by turning into vegetarian diet which is benevolent, which is very compassionate, and by being compassionate to others, Heaven will be compassionate to us. That’s the only thing I can tell you. The way we are doing right now, we cause suffering to others; we cannot expect happiness in return.

What we have been doing will bringing us disaster and trouble and maybe mass destruction in the very near future. So, if we want to have a good result, we have to start doing good. Be veg, go green, and do good deeds.
Reference:

http://solveclimate.com/blog/20090715/james-hansen-climate-tipping-points-and-political-leadership http://www.giss.nasa.gov/staff/jhansen.html