Outcome of 2016 election: Crucial to avoid runaway global warming!

     Why is the outcome of the 2016 election crucial in the race to avoid runaway global warming?

     The latest monthly average reading of the CO2 level in the atmosphere was 407.42 ppm for April at Mauna Loa.  Annual CO2 levels in the atmosphere have been trending upwards since March 2015 when concentrations above 400 ppm were recorded at NOAA’s 40 measurement sites. We know that concentrations of CO2 of this magnitude were present about 3 million years ago and sea level was 80 feet higher. We do not know when increasing levels of CO2 will dramatically affect global warming and, thereby, sea level etc. However, clearly we are at a point when abrupt climate change is becoming increasingly more likely.

     Hence, the sooner a Democratic President and Congress are able to pass strong and effective carbon pricing and other policies to reduce warming gas emissions the better. Not only is it an issue of reducing U.S. emissions, but the U.S. will finally be in a stronger position to take a credible leadership role in the international community (including China) in rapidly reducing emissions.