Top Ten Things to Know About
Global Warming
Number Ten
• There is a scientific
consensus that
human activities are
very likely to affect
global climate
Number Nine
• There is some chance
that, due to the
uncertainties of
complex models and
the assumptions used
to drive them, the
consensus is wrong.
Number Eight
• Ignoring the potential
implications of climate
change is taking a big
risk with a valuable
asset.
– The Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change (IPCC)
recommends that we avoid
“dangerous human
interference” with global
climate systems.
Number Seven
• In order to avoid
dangerous
interference, IPCC
estimates that we
need to hold global
emissions about
steady.
Number Six
• Since the developing
world would still like
to develop, the
developed world must
make substantial
emissions reductions.
– IPCC says 70-80
percent of current
levels must be
reduced by 20402050.
Important Data
8.00E+09
7.00E+09
6.00E+09
5.00E+09
4.00E+09
3.00E+09
2.00E+09
1.00E+09
0.00E+00
World
Population
USA
OECD
Total Carbon Emissions
Asia
More Important Data
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
World
USA
OECD
Per Capita Carbon Emissions
Asia
Number Five
• The Kyoto Protocol
will result in only
modest emission
reductions
– The US has not yet
ratified this treaty
Number Four
• We have 30-40 years
to transform
industrialized society
– Reducing emissions
by 70-80 percent is a
substantial challenge
US Greenhouse Emissions
HFCs, PFCs, SF6
N2O
2%
6%
CH4
9%
CO2
83%
US CO2 Emissions
Everything Else
3%
Fossil Fuel
97%
US Fossil Fuel CO2 Emissions
Commercial
Residential
4%
7%
Industrial
17%
Transportation
32%
Electricity Generation
40%
Number Three
• We already have
technologies that can
help us on the way
– Efficiency
– Renewable Energy
– Coal-gasification with
carbon sequestration
Number Two
• The behavioral
challenges are much
more daunting than
the technological
ones.
Number One
• Climate change isn’t
likely to affect our
generation.
• We need to make
changes for
subsequent
generations.