| USA. Scientists claim there is still time to stop catastrophic global warming |
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| Wednesday, 10 May 2006 | |
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Environmental news: The most dangerous impacts of global warming can still be avoided if immediate action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with existing technologies, according to a new book released at a climate science conference in New York. The book, "Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change," represents the most up-to-date science on the causes and impacts of global warming, and includes important new papers on the ability of proven technologies to slow, halt and eventually reverse the global growth in greenhouse gas emissions. During a press conference and policy briefing for investors and others at JPMorgan Chase headquarters, a group of the book's contributors from the United Kingdom and United States -- all top climate scientists -- said there is still a window of opportunity to stabilize atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations at levels that can prevent the most catastrophic impacts of global warming. "Through the burning of fossil fuels, we have been performing an uncontrolled experiment on our planet," said Dr. Michael Schlesinger, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. "It is now time to rein in that experiment, to earnestly begin the transition from the age of fossil fuels to the post-fossil-fuels age." Dr. Robert Socolow, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University, explained that the technologies needed to dramatically reduce carbon emissions already exist. "We know how to reduce carbon dioxide emissions," Socolow said. "In order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we need to accelerate the widespread adoption of clean energy technologies in the US and throughout the world, especially in the developing world where so much investment is now occurring." Dr. Socolow and Dr. Gary Yohe, Professor of Economics at Wesleyan University, warned against the risks of building large, new sources of carbon dioxide emissions, particularly new, conventional coal-fired power plants. Coal burning is one of the largest single sources of carbon dioxide pollution in the world |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 10 May 2006 ) |
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