Climate Change and Weather:

More than 100 years ago, at the end of the 19th century, scientists first recognized that human emissions of greenhouse gases had the potential to alter the climate. More than 70 years later, warnings of serious negative effects of increased emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) began to emerge in the 60's, and gain credence beyond the scientific community.

This research was known to fossil fuel corporations of the time, but rather than look for ways to avoid damage, they instead began an aggressive campaign of denial.

The hallmark of good science is to be able to predict results based on theory. That the predictions of the past regarding global warming are manifesting in the present is undeniable. Climate Change is arguably the most important and the most urgent issue for which we need global solutions. Even the Pentagon (which must surely be a very conservative institution) identified Climate Change as the biggest longer-term threat to U.S. security, as more and more climate refugees migrate to safer regions. Extreme weather events increase in severity and frequency, costing lives, costing livelihoods, and costing taxpayers billions. Science findings with respect to most of these issues is clear.

Here are some BIG ISSUES regarding Climate Change and Weather. Click on highlighted issues for more information on why this is important, what are the causes, and what needs to be done.

1. The financial costs to individuals and governments of adverse climate events is massive.

2. There is increasing evidence of feedback loops that accelerate warming.

3. Unethical corporations use lies and lobbying to stymie effective political action.

4. Some nations see increased desertification and/or fresh water loss from melting of glaciers.

6. Oceans are increasing in acidity and in temperature, leading to more violent storms and seriously impacting ecosystems.

5. Some nations are losing coastal infrastructure due to sea level rise. Low lying coastal nations are at risk of total destruction.

7. Geoengineering the climate in the form of solar radiation management or SRM (intended to delay the need for governments to act on fossil fuels) has the potential to make the situation worse.