[bilbo_baggins]

But then it would gnaw on Gandalf's mind, who as we already know (by way of his being tempted with the ring by Frodo's offer) is liable to temptation. Would it not grow upon at least him, and because of his solitude in the matter, enhance his suffering? On top of that, he can't die, so he will bear the burden for as long as he can bear it. No reprieve. And Gandalf the Grey at that time would not have been able to stand it. He was weak enough to be destroyed by a Balrog, let alone thousands of years of suffering by the Ring's torment. And he wouldn't be able to leave Middle Earth until Sauron was destroyed, and how could he very well do that with the distraction caused by the Ring?

Ahem.

Also at that point, Saruman could still find things out about the world at large, and many of the elves would probably be able to figure out what had happened, at least to some degree.

And prior to all that, the Ring itself has a physical manifestation of evil. It TRIES to get back to Sauron. It makes things happen in the world around it to move towards its goal. My opinion is that the Ring was docile until moved into Mordor, at which point it struggled with its bearer, attempting to return to its master. Before that, since it was nearing home, it cooperated.

And Essex, the data shows that hardly a 2 to 3 degree difference in the average temperature has been apparent in the past few generations. Given, if it does occur, which I don't believe it will (to the extent the media claims), it would be an exponential growth. But taken with the variable temperature already existing, and the self-correcting climate, it won't make much trouble for a long time. And also, the regressing of coastline? Keep in mind that ice is less dense than liquid water, and so to be accurate on how much the water will rise depends on how much ice is supported above sea level. Icebergs have 90% of their volume below water, and the North Pole is entirely free of terrestrial support. But I quibble. Apologies to anyone who disagrees.

-bilbo