Our Titanic Moment: Making the Decision of a Lifetime

Adverse Global climatic change. A Titanic decision. By Philip Clarkson. Naxxar, malta GC 2009. It is marked, that as we begin to map the limits to the known universe. We have just begun to understand the limits of the very planet; we rely on for the continued survival of all dependent species. A new Global awareness, of add-verse climatic events has called us to answer, fundamental questions, about the path we are on, and the part we must play in securing a sustainable future for all. It is important to understand and question with an open mind, the science on which much depends. We must not discount the planets ability for radical simpatico adaptation, or second guess our earth’s superior eco system which has survived for eons in hostile space environments. The part we play may be minuscule in comparison, however misguided in the extreme. We are an integral part of earths continuing development, and consequently part of, and subject to, any eco-logical change over time. Our carbon footprint is exponential, and correlate's, to a rise in global ambient temperatures that are keeping pace with our species developments and expansions worldwide. Radical global Climatic change is not new, geological samples taken-globally show major heating and cooling event cycle’s over-time, the difference now, is that we are witnessing Accelerating adverse global climatic events in the life cycle of our species, that are not in line with historical trends or climate model projections, man made or not, it is prudent to take stock, and ask do we have control, and more importantly, did we ever have control. This is why I liken, standing on the bridge of the Titanic and pondering whether we ignore the icebergs or plough through; choices soon we will all be called on to make. If we listen to the scientist’s warnings, and take avoiding action now, it will allow a small window of opportunity for corrective contingency and implementation measures; that largely depend on a global response, for the right course of action to take, in time, before any tipping point is reached. If we ignore the warnings, and plough-through, then it is business as usual, the chances are that there will be more Casualties from an increasingly unstable global eco system, which will continue to make corrective adaptive measures, as it strives to maintain global ambiance. One of those adaptive measures could be earths natural response to a perceived global heating event, this could take the form of rapid global cooling as accelerated polar melt starts to influence the earths gulf-stream, which is the earths major heat exchange mechanism, responsible for maintaining global ambient temperatures, that all dependent species, have enjoyed, up till now. Rapid global cooling once triggered, would be impossible to curtail, in short rapid polar melt, is a response to rapid global warming, net result , rapid global cooling. History shows repeated warnings of icebergs were ignored, as Titanic on her maiden voyage raced to meet her fate, whilst taken hasty evasive action, she side-swiped an iceberg, which damaged bulkheads designed to keep her afloat. When Titanic impacted, some onboard believed there was no problem, just an iceberg, after all this was the mighty unsinkable Titanic, some returned to their beds, whilst others played with chunks of ice that were strewn on deck, but in the year of our lord 1912, just Two hours and forty minutes later, Titanic unable to sustain her buoyancy, descended to a watery grave. As 2000 and 12 approaches, we will have come full circle, Is history repeating itself or is it already too late. Our failure to coalesce; for the long term mitigation of radical adverse climatic change, will ultimately force the planet, to make, that decision for us, whatever action we take then; can only benefit the planet. Long live. The planet.