Climate change by the numbers: Believe it

Our planet continues to heat up, causing extreme climate change.

Per NASA-GISS, 15 of the last 18 years are the hottest in recorded history going back to 1880. 2014 was our hottest year on record, and 2015 will be even hotter.

CO2 is the major greenhouse (warming) gas. Per NOAA, primarily based on our planet's cycles for the last 800,000 years, CO2 parts per million (ppm) ranged from about 180 (cooler climate) to 300 (warmer climate). Until the industrial revolution the last time ppm was 300 was about 325,000 years ago. Just before the industrial revolution ppm was 280. With the industrial revolution came the progressive annual increase of carbon emissions and CO2 ppm.

Per CDIAC and NOAA, for the years 1850, 1950, 1970, 1988 and 2013 annual carbon emissions respectively were 54, 1630, 4053, 5965, and 9000+ million metric tons, and CO2 ppm were 285, 311, 325, 351 and 400.

By 2050 at the current trend CO2 ppm will be approximately 600. Our planet's CO2 blanket is too heavy, causing its fever.

Do not be confused by doubt created by those cherry picking science to give the appearance of uncertainty to influence our politicians and the media. The intent is to make it look like there is a debate, when there is none, and psychologically influence the public to not want to take any actions.

This is the same tactic that was used to discourage smoking, acid rain, and DDT regulations.

Joe Salvato, formerly of Mount Prospect

Frank Steinmetz, Lake Zurich