PowerPoint Presentation

Royal Society Coral Crisis Working Group 6 July 2009

Metrics for Dangerous Change

Extermination of Animal & Plant Species1. Extinction of Polar and Alpine Species2. Unsustainable Migration Rates

Ice Sheet Disintegration: Global Sea Level1. Long-Term Change from Paleoclimate Data2. Ice Sheet Response Time

Regional Climate Disruptions1. Increase of Extreme Events2. Shifting Zones/Freshwater Shortages

Taken from James Hansens presentation: Climate Threat to the Planet. The Path from Science to Action. Trinity International University June 5 2009Assessment of Target CO2 (Hansen et al 2009)Phenomenon Target CO2 (ppm)

1. Arctic Sea Ice300-325

2. Ice Sheets/Sea Level300-350

3. Shifting Climatic Zones300-350

4 Alpine Water Supplies300-350

5. Ocean Acidification300-350

Initial target CO2 < 350 ppm **assumes CH4, O3, Black Soot decrease

Taken from James Hansens presentation: Climate Threat to the Planet. The Path from Science to Action. Trinity International University June 5 2009Key actions for getting back to 350ppm1. Phase Out Coal CO2 Emissions- by 2025/2030 developed/developing countries2. Rising Carbon Price- discourages unconventional fossil fuels & extraction of every last drop of oil (Arctic, etc.)3. Soil & Biosphere CO2 Sequestration- improved farming & forestry practices4. Reduce non-CO2 Forcings- reduce CH4, O3, trace gases, black soot

In summary:Human driven climate change is real and the danger is far greater than most people are aware.

Its imperative that we restore Earths energy imbalance (i.e. get back to