Politicians like to bloviate about "our children and grandchildren." It's a feel-good line, and people seem to like it when we observe such pieties. If people were really interested in building a future for their "children and grandchildren," however, they'd be actually doing something to avoid the coming catastrophe.
Yes, catastrophe. So far, the earth has warmed 1.4 degrees in the past 150 years. With that seemingly small increase, we have rising sea levels, islands disappearing, drought and desertification, an increase in extinct species, and stronger and bigger storms than ever.
If we do nothing about it, which is definitely the way to bet, we'll be seeing a 6 degree temperature rise by 2100.
Imagine what life will really be like for "our children and grandchildren." It will be hotter, for one thing. Daytime temperatures will hit 120 degrees in some unlikely places. People will die from the heat, plants and animals will die from drought.
Many of the hundreds of millions of people who live in coastal areas will be moving inland, which will cause strife with the people already living there. Violence will erupt in many places. You think the world is a grim place now? This is nirvana compared to what's just over the horizon. By 2100, planet earth is going to be a very grim place.
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