Storms of My Grandchildren's Opa

Today I came across this essay written by NASA Goddard's and Columbia University Dr. James E. Hansen. He says, "We have tremendous potential for innovation that will be spurred once there is a rising carbon price. New products, more jobs. As the carbon price rises, tipping points will be reached where low-carbon or no-carbon alternatives phase in rapidly, leaving fossil fuels in the ground." Thought provoking. I'm sharing the link to his intriguing webpage (http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/), as well as the link to the essay mentioned. (http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/2012/20121213_StormsOfOpa.pdf) Worth a visit. Especially if you care about your children or grandchildren. See also: http://www.nationofchange.org/newsmaker-memo-interview-pioneering-climate-scientist-james-hansen-1366899686

Why Curbing the Climate Crisis Will Take More Than Summits and Divestment

Thought provoking article by Jim Shultz available at Nation of Change: http://www.nationofchange.org/why-curbing-climate-crisis-will-take-more-summits-and-divestment-1355587077

Climate change math

Insightful further reading:

Climate change math
"It’s simple math: we can burn less than 565 more gigatons of carbon dioxide and stay below 2°C of warming — anything more than that risks catastrophe for life on earth. The only problem? Fossil fuel corporations now have 2,795 gigatons in their reserves, five times the safe amount. And they’re planning to burn it all — unless we rise up to stop them."
(cited verbatim from http://math.350.org/)

Global Warming's Terrifying New Math
Three simple numbers that add up to global catastrophe - and that make clear who the real enemy is
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/global-warmings-terrifying-new-math-20120719

Divest from fossil fuels now
To Stop Climate Change, Students Aim at College Portfolios
Article published in the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/05/business/energy-environment/to-fight-climate-change-college-students-take-aim-at-the-endowment-portfolio.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hpw&&pagewanted=all

Bill McKibben on the "math of climate change" (see from 13:08-14:57)

Bill McKibben on the "math of climate change" (see from 13:08-14:57)

Amy Goodman: From Fossil Fuels to Global Warming Denial, Koch Brothers Influences Behind U.S. Inaction

Cited verbatim from Democracy Now / Nation of Change "The billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch are known for funneling vast donations into Republican campaigns in the United States. But what impact are the Koch brothers having on global warming? As the United States is accused of blocking progress at the U.N. climate talks in Doha, a new report says the Koch brothers may be the biggest force behind the climate stalemate. The Kochs run oil refineries and control thousands of miles of pipeline, giving them a massive personal stake in the fossil fuel industry. Researchers say they have also funneled tens of millions into climate denial science, lobbying and other efforts to derail policy that could lessen the impact of global warming. We’re joined by Victor Menotti, executive director of the International Forum on Globalization." Cited verbatim from http://www.nationofchange.org/fossil-fuels-global-warming-denial-koch-brothers-influences-behind-us-inaction-1354729439

WBGU - World in Transition - L01E01 - Prof. Dr. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber

RECOMMENDED VIDEO SERIES

The following decription is taken verbatim from the WBGU webpage: http://www.wbgu.de/en/trafoseminar/ (Only first lecture included, refer to link above for remaining lectures).

In this E-Seminar members of the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) and invited speakers present the report «World in Transition -- A Social contract for Sustainability«.

The series of lectures starts with an interview that provides a comprehensive overview about the global transformation towards a low-carbon society. Subsequent lectures highlight the characteristics of the so-called »anthropocene«, including the main impacts of climate change. A detailed view on concepts of transformation is presented and aspects of technical and economic feasibility are adressed in detail. The role of the state and change agents in the transformation process are also examined. Finally, you will become familiar with some instruments and measures that can advance the great transformation towards sustainability. A special lecture focuses on the role of scientific advice in policy making and explains the functioning of the WBGU and how the WBGU produces scientific policy advice. Finally recommendations for action and research will be given.

The E-Seminar has been produced in cooperation with the Virtual Academy Sustainability, University of Bremen (Germany) and provides freely available lectures on sustainablity at no charge for university students. For further information and user support please look at: http://wit.va-bne.de/.

The E-Seminar is also a contribution to the Science Year 2012 of the German Federal Ministry for Research and Education (BMBF) "Project Earth -- Our Future". http://www.wbgu.de/en/trafoseminar/

Arctic ice melting at 'amazing' speed, scientists find

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19508906

Bolivia: Leaving the land

UNSW-TV — University of New South Wales (2011). Researcher Johannes Luetz takes us on a personal journey of Bolivia where people are leaving the land in droves. Climate induced migration is not just happening to low-lying islands. The catastrophic drought means thousands of Bolivians are simply walking away from their homes and land for cities already suffering from water shortages.
http://tv.unsw.edu.au/video/bolivia-leaving-the-land

Disappearing Glaciers: Bolivia's Chacaltaya

AP — Associated Press (2009b) The Chacaltaya glacier ski run in Bolivia - once famous for being the highest in the world - is set to disappear completely within the next few months. (Published 7 December 2009).

Bolivia: glaciers fall victim to climate change | Global 3000

DW-TV — Deutsche Welle TV (2010) Glaciers fall victim to climate change. In the mountains of Bolivia, an ecological and humanitarian disaster is in the making. As global temperatures rise, the glaciers in the Andes are melting. Areas once permanently covered in snow and ice are now just exposed rock. But the country is dependent on water from the glaciers high up in the mountains, and the change is beginning to affect drinking water supplies. DW-TV. Global 3000. Accessed 30 June 2012 @ http://sciencestage.com/v/39212/bolivia:-glaciers-fall-victim-to-climate-change-global-3000.html

World's Highest Glacier Is Set to Melt Into History

AP — Associated Press (2009a) The Chacaltaya glacier ski run in Bolivia - once famous for being the highest in the world - is set to disappear completely within the next few months. The melt is one element of a crisis in the country's water supply. (Published 21 December 2009).

Glacier threat to Bolivia capital

David Shukman gives a guided tour of what could be the world's first capital city to run out of water. 4 December 2009.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8394324.stm

Bolivia's Glaciers Melt Away

Bolivia's Chacaltaya glacier - once the "world's highest" ski resort and a crucial source of water for millions of people - melted away in 2009.
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/12/13/science/earth/1247466103114/bolivias-glaciers-melt-away.html

A Tale of Climate Change

The glaciers that have long provided water and electricity to a part of Bolivia are melting and disappearing. New York Times audio slide show by ELISABETH ROSENTHAL and JEFFERY DELVISCIO, December 14, 2009.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/12/14/science/earth/14bolivia_ss.html

Poorer Countries Upend Climate Talks

The Times' Libby Rosenthal talks about Bolivia, one of the countries that feels economically powerless to manage climate change.
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/12/14/world/1247466125010/poorer-countries-upend-climate-talks.html

Bolivia: Fighting the climate wars - video

John Vidal reports from La Paz where Bolivians are living with the effects of climate change every day. Their president has called for an urgent 50% cut in emissions - action that is essential for the country's survival
Andy Wells, John Vidal, Andrew Evans, Gloria Beretervide, Jacqui Timberlake and Maggie O'Kane guardian.co.uk, Sunday 10 April 2011, http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/10/bolivia-enshrines-natural-worlds-rights