The results of our over-consumption of fossil fueled energy have hit the fan in a big way and we are rapidly entering a period of irreversible climate extremes. Top climate scientists are trying to bring attention to solutions that could help in stopping or at the least slowing our rapid progression to an unlivable planet.

Top climate scientists have sent a letter to the White House requesting a rapid reduction of Methane and other short lived climate pollutants. Here is text (pdf)of letter.

Excerpted from letter:



As evidence continues to mount that serious climate change impacts are already upon us, research indicates that mitigation of short-lived pollutants such as methane can play a significant role in slowing the rate of climate change, while producing many co-benefits for human health and food security. To support the accurate evaluation of the benefits of methane mitigation, the Administration and agencies should develop a two-track strategy directed at limiting both long-term warming and the near-term rate of warming. Doing this requires using the GWP for methane (and other short-lived warming agents) that accurately reflects the latest science and provides decision-makers the best possible understanding of and options for addressing both near- and long-term climate change and disruption: specifically, a 20-year GWP of 86 and a 100-year GWP of 34. The challenge of limiting global warming to 1.5 to 2ºC is much more difficult than is apparent using only GWP-100 in the analyses, and only development of both near- and long-term strategies has the potential for success that the Administration is striving for

I've been writing about the reduction of the short lived climate pollutants for years and now scientists are focusing on their rapid reduction as the best chance for rapid short-term cooling to avoid the worst effects of global warming. As written in the excerpted letter text above; in order to limit warming to 2 degree C, which is set to avoid dangerous irreversible tipping points, we must initiate a rapid short term cooling while we continue to aggressively reduce CO2, which stays in atmosphere for hundreds of years, for essential long term cooling.

The solutions I have stressed are doable and safe and give us all an opportunity to be part of the solution. We are rapidly getting to the point where we will have no choice.