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www.paleoclimate.org

PACLIM XX – April 2003 Source: Ellis 2011

TransformaRon of the Terrestrial Biosphere


Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Mean loss in glacier area, 1976-‐1997: 30%

Photo: Dave Semler and Marsha Steffen Source: Jordan et al., 2005

Cotopaxi, Ecuador (5897m)

75-‐ 180 cm

Source: Vermeer & Rahmstorf, 2010

We have a good scienRfic understanding of the criRcal environmental problems…. …and we have a wide range of technological and economic remedies… But there is a vacuum of leadership at the poliRcal level. Even worse, in many countries, the poliRcs of extremism have taken center stage…

Climate Science Denier Leads House Science Subcommi=ee The House Science, Space and Technology Commi=ee has named Republican Congressman Chris Stuart, a climate science denier, as t h e n ew c h a i rman o f t h e subcommi=ee responsible for climate change issues. Stewart said he is unconvinced that anthropogenic global warming is based on “sound science” Not surprisingly, oil and gas was a top player in funding Stewart’s elecHon to Congress.

“I’m not as convinced as a lot of people are that man-‐made climate change is the threat they think it is. I think it is probably not as immediate as some people do.”

“I am not willing to adopt mul>-‐trillion dollar programs to reduce greenhouse gases in America. They don't call it America warming, they call it global warming.”

Mi= Romney, Oct 11, 2011

Carbon emissions: the view from the U.S. Congress:

Carbon emissions: the view from China:

Carbon emissions: the view from India:

8.5 billion metric tons in 2007; CO2~389ppm

?

1992

CO2 emission scenarios….

550 ppm

CO2 emission scenarios…. 940ppm


Source: The Carbon Project

Most of the fossil fuel inventories that support valuaRons of major energy companies can not be consumed without massive changes in global climate….

EU target

1992 Rio DeclaraRon: Environment & Development


PACLIM XX – April 2003

•  states shall cooperate in a spirit of global partnership to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of the Earth's ecosystem

•  to achieve sustainable development and a higher quality of life for all people, States should reduce and eliminate unsustainable pa=erns of producRon and consumpRon



•  to achieve sustainable development, environmental protecRon shall consRtute an integral part of the development process

•  needs of developing countries, parRcularly the least developed and those most environmentally vulnerable, shall be given special priority

“…When the issues at hand seem as perplex[ing] as they oren do….we are always on the verge of being mesmerized by uncertainty; but we must move on… We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. M.L. King



•  We have a moral obligaRon to help in building a sustainable, more equitable global society

•  Our challenge as scienRsts and as ci>zens is to confront our poliRcal leaders, to demand that they address these problems



While governments at all levels oren appear incapable of taking meaningful acRon, and impervious to the urgency of the situaRon, ordinary people are no longer as powerless as they were in in the past…



2013: 6 billion people have mobile phones…

“In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late... We may cry out desperately for >me to pause in her passage, but >me is deaf to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residue of numerous civiliza>ons are wriPen the pathe>c words: Too late”

MarRn Luther King: April 4th 1967

THE END

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