by Pat Lunsford

Created on: March 19, 2009   Last Updated: November 16, 2010

If the cause of climate change could be determined we might be able to stop it or at least slow it down but so far no one has come up with a provable cause. Therefore, in light of the fact that climate change is accelerating we must begin focusing more effort towards addressing the impact it's having and work on the cause as we go.

Regions around the world are experiencing climate changes they have never experienced before and by the time we finally reach an agreement as to the cause we could find ourselves trapped in an irreversible pattern.

Previous worst case scenario trajectories predicted a sea level rise of 7 to 23 inches by the turn of the century. However, new facts indicate that sea levels could rise higher and even sooner than previously thought. A number of scientists agree that if climate change is not addressed soon many areas could experience an even greater increase in storms, flooding and drought. Not all climate scientists agree with this evaluation yet they cannot explain the serious environmental catastrophes that have been destroying lives and property around the world.

These differences of opinions have caused a great deal of uncertainty in the climate change community. Scientists who advocate the seriousness of the situation insist that we are heading towards a point of no return while others insist that the patterns we’re witnessing are all part of a natural cycle which will eventually level out. 

If we are indeed reaching a tipping point, poorer nations are the ones who will suffer the most as they are exceptionally susceptible to even the smallest levels of climate change. Poor countries are already struggling with serious clean water and food shortages while diseases for which there is no cure keep popping up in the headlines. So at this point it doesn't matter why it's happening. The point it is that it IS happening and governments need to expect the unexpected and prepare for it.

The entire planet seems to be reacting to something. Earthquakes are not only becoming more frequent they are getting more intense. Tsunamis are increasing as well. The floods in Pakistan which uprooted nearly a million people was referred to as a slow-moving tsunamis.   

The cause of global warming and climate change is important because if we knew what was causing it we could come to a quicker solution. Nevertheless, most high-profile scientists are spending more time debating the cause than addressing the problem.

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