The Fishbowl Earth Project

With all the news stories lately about global warming, and damage to infrastructure as a result of the hottest temperatures ever recorded , it's easy to get desensitized.  Right?  The Independent's story reports that parts of Germany's Autobahn were reduced to (the equivalent of) 60 mph, due to deteriorating road surfaces. Ooo, shivers.  One more time. Deteriorating road surfaces. And cue R.E.M. Unless you're a certain Doc Brown and you "don't need roads," this could already hint at a time where moving goods about the country (like oh say, food) may become impossible overnight.  Make that over day . And, as hot as the current heat wave is, scientists are saying it's going to get hotter.  Infrastructure that is already breaking down will break down more, faster.  Fixing it will become almost as important as trying to protect the new (and existing) roads, bridges, and especially, das Autobahn . I say break out the gold foil. ...

As I sit in my climate-controlled home and contemplate the future, while sipping a delicious cup of coffee, the idea of human extinction doesn't seem very real.  I have full protection from the elements, including high winds, torrential downpours, frigid temperatures, and extreme heat.  In fact, if it gets too hot, I can turn my air conditioner. Until the power goes out. According to Wikipedia, scientists estimate that 99% of all the species of life that have existed on Earth have gone extinct.   That's over 5 billion species!  That means a whole lot of life has come and gone before we humans ever made a mark on the planet.  Scientists are concerned, however, about the current high rate of extinction, and some estimate that 50% of the existing plants and animals on the Earth right now may become extinct by the year 2100. Why is this happening?  Why are plants and animals going extinct so quickly?  It's because we humans are cutting down fore...