Closing Plenary of Copenhagen Climate Change Congress
Panel discussion at closing plenary session of Copenhagen Climate Congress, including Congress Chair Katherine Richardson, Stefan Rahmstorf, Will Steffen, Lord Nicholas Stern, and Dan Kammen, plus Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Risk of extreme climate change accelerating
Message from Copenhagen Climate Science Congress: For many key parameters, the climate system is already moving beyond the patterns of natural variability within which our society and economy have developed and thrived. These parameters include global mean surface temperature, sea-level rise, ocean and ice sheet dynamics, ocean acidification, and extreme climatic events.
Worst case climate change scenario trajectories are being realized
Recent observations confirm that, given high rates of observed emissions, the worst-case IPCC scenario trajectories (or even worse) are being realised. For many key parameters, the climate system is already moving beyond the patterns of natural variability within which our society and economy have developed and thrived. These parameters include global mean surface temperature, sea-level rise, ocean and ice sheet dynamics, ocean acidification, and extreme climatic events. There is a significant risk that many of the trends will accelerate, leading to an increasing risk of abrupt or irreversible climatic shifts.
Update on Ocean Acidification
“If carbon dioxide emissions remain unchecked, in 40 years the oceans will be more acidic than anything experienced in the past 20 million years.” Rachel’s Environmental and Health News Editor’s note: Please also see the following articles from Carbon Equity in Australia Southern Ocean close to acid tipping point www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/11/2416190.htm Bianca Nogrady, ABC News, 11 November [...]
