BBC Focus Magazine

[M Paul Lloyd]

And then............... I found this.

Carbon emissions 'will defer Ice Age'

By Richard Black Environment correspondent, BBC News
Human emissions of carbon dioxide will defer the next Ice Age, say scientists.
The last Ice Age ended about 11,500 years ago, and when the next one should begin has not been entirely clear.
Researchers used data on the Earth's orbit and other things to find the historical warm interglacial period that looks most like the current one.
In the journal Nature Geoscience, they write that the next Ice Age would begin within 1,500 years - but emissions have been so high that it will not.

More here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16439807

I have ask the question........ how do they know that the next ice age will occur in 1,500 years?

[Finntroll]

Something that has troubled me from the outset with all of this is that samples taken from ice cores and sedimentary deposits seem to suggest that atmospheric CO2 levels were very high (much higher than today) during some of the major glaciation periods in Earths history which seems to suggest that other factors were largely responsible.

Flakkarin has a theory on this as it happens, and she should know.
can-increased-volcanism-trigger-the-onset-of-glaciations-t566.html

In fairness the ice core readings are from a time when the planet was very different. It did not have the plague we refer to as the human race at lethal population levels like today.

I am no climatologist, palaeontologist or any other type of expert in this field but I imagine that the massive abundance of plant life and clean oceans would have played a much larger role in carbon capture than today.

[Finntroll]

And then............... I found this.

Carbon emissions 'will defer Ice Age'

By Richard Black Environment correspondent, BBC News
Human emissions of carbon dioxide will defer the next Ice Age, say scientists.
The last Ice Age ended about 11,500 years ago, and when the next one should begin has not been entirely clear.
Researchers used data on the Earth's orbit and other things to find the historical warm interglacial period that looks most like the current one.
In the journal Nature Geoscience, they write that the next Ice Age would begin within 1,500 years - but emissions have been so high that it will not.

More here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16439807

I have ask the question........ how do they know that the next ice age will occur in 1,500 years?

I read this one a few hours ago to and was wondering the same thing. Most likely through mathematical formula’s. Lets be fair though, this is published in the media, they are hardly known for their accurate accounts or unbiased opinions.

It’s a shame that there is no link to a full report to shows in more detail how they have come to their conclusion.

[M Paul Lloyd]

It’s a shame that there is no link to a full report to shows in more detail how they have come to their conclusion.

I have had a quick look through the latest issue
http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v5/n1/index.html
but can find no reference to work by 'Skinner' . Although a more diligent search might prove more fruitful?

[Lateralman]

“Human emissions from carbon dioxide will defer the next ice age!” Wow! What an incredible coincidence. My granny told me that when I last paid her a visit at the home.

In case you had not noticed, with all the millions of pounds of technology available to her painted fingertips, how many times does the weather girl ever get the prediction for tomorrow’s weather correct?

[Finntroll]

My granny told me that when I last paid her a visit at the home.

No she didn't!

[M Paul Lloyd]

In case you had not noticed, with all the millions of pounds of technology available to her painted fingertips, how many times does the weather girl ever get the prediction for tomorrow’s weather correct?

They get it reasonably correct, at least in general terms, most of the time. The problems arise over specific local forecasts which are quite simply impossible to predict with any accuracy. Personally I prefer the old surface pressure maps as they are far more reliable, also it isn't the 'weather girls' fault, she just gets sent to give the bad news.

[Shadowwolf]

@ Finntroll

Undoubtedly she did not but ahh, reality and Lateral are often not in the same room, just take a look at the contribution in the Reference Section if you want a good idea. This granny stuff is just facetiousness I think.

[Lateralman]

Hey, there’s no need to tell my old gran how to suck eggs. She has been around clearing snow from the path to her front door for several thirty-year cycles, so she should know.

Anyhow, my dog makes a better barometer. If it’s wet or cold, outside he wants to stay in and if it’s warm and sunny he wants to go out.

Although admittedly, he is none too keen on hanging from a hook in the middle of the hallway on an average grey day.

[M Paul Lloyd]

Its a full Moon tonight isn't it Lateral.

[Lateralman]

Just a jolly jape Mr Lloyd. I love my dog. In truth, she is the only person I trust.

The ideal companion for a full moon.

[Thinker]

Have I stumbled into the twilight zone? What are you going on about Lateralman???

[Shadowwolf]

That Mr Thinker is probably something we would rather have left unanswered and thus save us from any further need to have face meet palm.

[M Paul Lloyd]

[Jamie]