[Intro]
How far out
Do we need to go
Before we know?
(I ask him…
From out on a limb)
[Verse 1]
How much space
Do we need to displace
Before we know
(I mean… to what extreme
Do we need to go?)
[Chorus]
How far out
Do we need to go
Before we know?
(I ask him…
From out on a limb)
[Bridge]
Shall we go till we fail
(Fly right off the rail)
Push to exhaustion
(Flail in frustration)
Is there doubt
(As to how far out?)
[Verse 2]
How much waste
Do we need erased
Before we’ll grow
(I mean… to what extreme
Do we need to go?)
[Chorus]
How far out
Do we need to go
Before we know?
(I ask him…
From out on a limb)
[Bridge]
Shall we go till we fail
(Fly right off the rail)
Push to exhaustion
(Flail in frustration)
Is there doubt
(As to how far out?)
[Chorus]
How far out
Do we need to go
Before we know?
(I ask him…
From out on a limb)
[Bridge]
Shall we go till we fail
(Fly right off the rail)
Push to exhaustion
(Flail in frustration)
Is there doubt
(As to how far out?)
[Outro]
About…
How far out?
A SCIENCE NOTE
The urgency of the climate crisis is already evident today, but its full appreciation depends on how quickly impacts intensify and how much society acknowledges the severity of the problem.
We first developed the hypothesis of the non-linear acceleration of climate change in the 1990s. By the early 2000s, this hypothesis evolved into established climate theory, now widely accepted as scientific fact. My lab partner, a Doctor of Physics from Ohio State, and I collaborated to provide crucial evidence supporting this theory. Over time, we have observed a significant shift in the doubling time of climate change impacts — the rate at which the effects intensify. Initially, the doubling time was approximately 100 years, but it has since decreased to 10 years, and more recently, to just 2 years.
This trend means that the damage caused by climate change today is double what it was two years ago, and in two more years, it could be four times worse. Unfortunately, this rapid acceleration does not appear to be an anomaly, especially given the record-breaking events we’ve witnessed this year, even during the typically cooler La Nina phase. If this trajectory continues, the outcomes will be far more catastrophic than previously expected.
Our climate model was validated in the summer of 2024, as we observed a dozen billion-dollar climate disasters in the first part of the year. On September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall, emerging as one of the most destructive climate events in recorded history. With over 200 fatalities and $126 billion in direct damages, the hurricane had ripple effects beyond its immediate destruction. For instance, it disrupted 60% of the U.S. IV fluid supply, causing critical shortages in the healthcare sector. Even more concerning, the global tech industry has been impacted, as 99% of the pure quartz used in semiconductor manufacturing has been affected, leading to potential long-term consequences for electronics production.
Hurricane Milton quickly followed, further compounding the devastation. Milton is expected to result in over $100 billion in insurance claims, complicating an already strained insurance market for Florida homeowners. On top of that, the public and government will likely bear an additional $50 billion in costs, placing further pressure on taxpayers and state resources. Much of the damage was caused by high winds and an unprecedented number of tornadoes — over 30 tornadoes hit eastern Florida, causing the highest number of fatalities and extensive financial losses.
The Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment at Imperial College London confirmed that nearly half of the increased costs and intensity of Hurricanes Milton and Helene can be directly attributed to climate change. According to Professor Ralf Toumi, Director of the Grantham Institute and co-author of several studies, “With every fraction of a degree of warming, extreme weather events like Hurricanes Milton and Helene become more powerful and destructive. This should be a wake-up call for anyone who believes climate change is too expensive to address — every delay in reducing emissions only increases the cost of these catastrophic events.”
In summary, the evidence is clear: climate change is rapidly accelerating, and the costs — both economic and human — are growing exponentially. The future demands decisive and immediate action to curb greenhouse gas emissions and prevent further environmental and societal collapse.