Soc205

Soc 205: Social Problems

Fall 2012

Some things we know . . .

25% of world's energy comes from coal, 41% from petroleum; 90% of global commercial energy comes from fossil fuels
There has been a 40% reduction in arctic ice over last 40 years
Arctic regions warming at 3 times the global average. How are industrial societies responding??
In the 1990s, world CO2 emissions increased 7.5%--they're going up, not down (North vs South distribution of carbon production--total and per capita)
U.S. carbon emissions increased 13% in the 1990s (it had pledged a 7% decrease by 2010), more stable since
CO2 emissions grew by 57% in last 5 years of the decade in India.
Ever heard of 'Peak oil?'
The 20th century's 10 warmest years occurred during the last 15 years of the 20th century
Sea level has risen 4-8 inches globally in last century (by conservative estimates). Major melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet could mean major changes (20+ feet ...)
The average global surface temperature has risen over 1 degree fahrenheit in the last century. Estimates are that it could increase from 1 to 4.5 degrees (fahrenheit) over the next 50 years (small changes at the global level can have large consequences)
Industrialization has had a huge impact on living standards, and on the environment