Global Warming Question

[chadinark]

is it possible, by say, for example, cleaning up all the pollution, to reverse the effects of global warming once they have reached critical levels (bright red sun icon), or is it just too late at some point?

[Wormwood]

Do you mean the terrain effects? I don't think those can be altered, a la Civ2, through massive terraforming.

[DRoseDARs]

If I'm reading your question correctly: You cannot undo the effects of global warming once they occur (ie: Grasslands near Such'N'Such City have turned into Plains due to Global Warming), but I believe if most if not all the pollution in the world is cleaned-up PRIOR to such an effect (both the pollution in your civ and AI civ) then the effects of global warming can be forestalled even prevented if cleaned-up fast enough. Don't quote me on that, though.

Unfortunately, this very simple concept continues to elude comprehension by certain unnamed Presidents and Administrations...sigh...with Canada and Russia on board, the Kyoto Accords are pretty much International "Law" now, so at least there's that to go on...

[alexman]

I think he was asking whether you can make the bright red sun icon go back to a whiter color and hence reduce the risk of global warming.

The answer is that it's possible, but since you can't control what the AI is doing, it's not probable. I believe the color of the sun depends on the total number of yellow polution triangles produced by all the cities in the world. If all cities of all nations suddenly got mass transit and recycling plants, or fell under size 12 and had no factories (and of course nobody was nuking) then the risk of global warming would actually decrease and you would see the sun go back to a lighter color.

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by DRoseDARs
. . . I believe if most if not all the pollution in the world is cleaned-up PRIOR to such an effect (both the pollution in your civ and AI civ) then the effects of global warming can be forestalled even prevented if cleaned-up fast enough. Don't quote me on that, though.

Quoting DRoseDARs

"Global Warming" in the game is more properly thought of as desertification. Desertification in Civ3 is caused by the pollution created per turn in each city (see city screen), not by the number of polluted tiles. Other Civ's pollution does not appear to effect your own Civ's degree of desertification. Building "green" city improvements will help reduce the deterioration of the environment. Also, trees will help as damaged tree tiles will just kill the trees, which can then be replanted with the underlying terrain left untouched.

[vmxa1]

If only your pollution effected you, then it must be more than the triangles in your cities. I run as green as I could and made no manf plants, but still got nailed for desertification. I suspect that world pollution has an impact as well. If so you are doomed as the AI will not do such a good job. I also wonder if the population is impacting warming, regardless of any green attempts. IOW if you have lots of size 20's or 30's size cities, you will get hit. Greening does slow it down though.

[WarpStorm]

Firaxis has said that polution on the ground does not affect global warming. It is caused by having pollution icons in your cities and by using nukes. You can test this yourself with a custom scenario (I did).

[WarpStorm]

Oh yeah, the actual polluted tile can turn worse even if the global warming isn't bad if it's not cleaned up soon enough. (I tested this too).

[DRoseDARs]

God I miss the ability to do a little terraforming...

[WarpStorm]

Global warming in Civ3 is caused by all civs not just yours.

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by WarpStorm
Global warming in Civ3 is caused by all civs not just yours.

I would be more than willing to admit error in my previous post, but I would need more proof. I believe the gamemakers decided not to punish players who keep their own neighborhoods clean. Also, it does not match my experience. In my current game, during the industrial age, I had a problem with global warming. Once the "green" improvements of the modern age were completed, global warming essentially ended. Meanwhile, my rival has continued to pollute the environment.

Clarification of this would be very helpful to many players.

Oh yeah, the actual polluted tile can turn worse even if the global warming isn't bad if it's not cleaned up soon enough. (I tested this too).

What exactly do you mean? What sort of test?
Thanks!

[WarpStorm]

The second test is easy to do. Make a map and put a tile of pollution near your start city. Start playing and keep an eye on it. It will eventually turn to desert if you don't clean it up even though there is no chance of global warming (no sun showing).

[chadinark]

I guess what I am really asking is: is it possible to reverse (or terraform) the land

back to normal? i mean once land has "desertified," is it possible to bring it back to its original state?
thanks
chad

btw thanks for all the great responses!!!

[vondrack]

Re: I guess what I am really asking is: is it possible to reverse (or terraform) the land

Originally posted by chadinark
back to normal? i mean once land has "desertified," is it possible to bring it back to its original state?
thanks
chad

btw thanks for all the great responses!!!

No terraforming allowed in Civ3, sorry. Once you go desert with your tile, it stays desert forever.

[chadinark]

Re: Re: I guess what I am really asking is: is it possible to reverse (or terraform) the land

Originally posted by vondrack

No terraforming allowed in Civ3, sorry. Once you go desert with your tile, it stays desert forever.

that really sux
they need to change that
i mean what is the justification for not allowing it
they had it in civ 2...