© 2009 Flickr/Larry Johnson cc by 2.0
The conference participants discussed a wide range of topics from the recent heat wave in Russia, to how drought might affect farming in Africa, to how Arctic sea ice cover responds to winter storms.
I wanted to know what questions you would ask the scientists, and you delivered! So now, here are a few answers…
Q. Are we starting to better understand how increased cloud cover will influence the global heat budget?
Sandrine Bony said that climate scientists have made significant strides in understanding clouds since 1979. There are still uncertainties, but it’s important to note that these uncertainties are more important at a regional scale than at a global scale. And overall, clouds won’t stop the inexorable trend of global warming – only cutting carbon pollution can do that.
Q. Have we passed the tipping point?
First a quick definition: tipping points are thresholds that mark a dramatic change from one state to another. Think of a completely ice-free Arctic Ocean, or the permanent shift of a species from one region to another.
There are a lot of different kinds of tipping points, and we’re closer to some of them than others. One speaker suggested that the Amazon rainforest has already tipped toward a permanent transition to a drier savannah habitat. Tipping points in permafrost – frozen ground that contains vast amounts of carbon – could be reached as early as the 2020s. Tipping points for the Antarctic ice sheet, however, are probably many decades away, if not centuries.
Unfortunately, tipping points often can’t be detected until after we’ve crossed them — meaning it’s important to stay as far back from the edge of the cliff as we can.
Q. Is there a role for religious or ethics education in the fight against climate change?
Bruce Hewitson made a case for ethics education. He talked about “climate services”: climate knowledge and expertise packaged to help specific user communities make decisions and solve problems. Dr. Hewitson argued that climate services are only useful if they bridge cultural differences (especially different value systems), and if they include a measure of accountability. For example, who is responsible if an incorrect climate projection leads to bad management decisions?
Q. Why don’t climate scientists get more respect?
The public conversation in the U.S. tends to be dominated by climate deniers, but scientists get more respect than you might think! Lindene Patton, of Zurich Financial Services, told scientists at the conference that the business community was “begging” for their help. We also heard from former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, who talked about cities around the country that are working with scientists to develop climate action plans.
Q. Why aren’t scientists doing more to refute climate deniers?
There are many reasons scientists don’t engage in public fights with deniers. Some scientists aren’t good at communicating with the public or feel they don’t have time. Some scientists feel science and advocacy don’t mix. Some institutions restrict or discourage communication with the public. And some scientists aren’t willing to put their personal lives or their families at risk. Deniers can be very aggressive, and their tactics range from personal attacks in emails to “things left on your doorstep.”
I flipped the question on its head and asked one scientist why he does engage with deniers, despite the inconveniences and risks. He said it’s partly because climate change is such an important issue. But perhaps just as important: he’s irked by the false debate presented by deniers. The science is clear that we have a problem, and now it is up to society to decide what to do about that problem. Hiding from those choices behind a so-called “lack of science” is inexcusable.
And so I wrap up this Q&A with a question for you: What are you doing to fight back against that false debate, and why? Because this isn’t just a fight for scientists to take on…it’s a fight for everyone.
Sandeep Gundale
November 4th
IS Earthquakes happens in japan are the part of chain reaction of climate change is this any link between climate change and earthquakes because many times before earthquake its will show some miner changes in environment just like some different shades of temp extreme rise or fall in temp
Sandeep Gundale
November 4th
I Want to be part of Ur Mission And vision
Tell me HOW
Sandeep Gundale
November 4th
Is this any Relation Between Atmospheric Presser And
Earthquakes Because Earthquakes will happens due to Movement of plates in such direction
But Sea Water wehphors will affect the environment of the the whole world and atmospheric presser and systems of cloud’s and cyclones and Mass Of a Sea Water will increase a presser on earth Surface(extra water from melt from south pole and north pole)
my theory is that is any relation between Earthquakes And Cyclones and the Systems Will changes his pattens Day by day
MikeFitz17
November 4th
I am doing everything I can do as a non-scientist to push back against climate change and the deniers. I try to keep my carbon footprint and that of my family as small as possible for human beings who live in the American suburbs of the early 21st Century. I ride my bike to work as much as possible; I replaced my gas-powered mowered with a manual reel mower. My family recycles like crazy. We give money to the NRDC, the Sierra Club and 350.org., We write letters to our our lawmakers and to the President urging immediate and bold action on issues related to mitigating global warming and climate change. And yet….the apathy and ignorance of the American public, who care vastly more about pro football, iPhones, “Angry Birds” and Kim Kardashian than climate change, makes me wonder if our society can do enough in time to prevent the IPCC’s worst predictions from coming true. Maybe I’m being too pessimistic. Would anyone out there like to share with me their reasons for why they believe we should feel optimistic on this subject?