by Steve Thurston
Here’s a thought:
Since the peak of the last ice age about 20,000 years ago about 90% of the earth’s ice has melted, causing sea levels to rise about 400 feet, or about five feet per century on average. In the last century sea levels have risen less than one foot. Sea level rise has slowed because there is not much ice left.
As the last 10% of the world’s ice melts over a few centuries we can expect about 40 feet of sea level rise – and warmer temperatures. The last time the earth was ice free was when the dinosaurs roamed. Tropical rainforests covered Antarctica and the climate was much warmer than today. Then a giant meteor struck the earth and rapid cooling began as dust prevented sunlight from penetrating the atmosphere.
At some point in the distant or not so distant future some event, perhaps a meteor impact, volcanic eruption, geoengineering, or nuclear winter will trigger global cooling.
Then the next ice age will begin. We will go from greenhouse to icehouse and within a few thousand years of the onset of cooling glaciers will advance over much of North America and global temperatures will be much colder than today.
I’m thinking we are in a sweet spot right now and we should make peace with the climate, and each other.
The author is an Addison County resident.