During the present interglacial period, as human society developed, the Earth very slowly cooled naturally for millennia. After James Watt invented a practical steam engine burning fossil fuel, human activities have increased the atmospheric carbon dioxide greenhouse gas concentration almost 50%. So far, this has caused Earth’s average surface temperature to increase about one degree Celsius in just over two centuries. Climate is disrupted on a rapidly warming planet, creating a new world. Ice is melting everywhere. Sea level is rising. Extreme weather events are more frequent. Phenological events and cycles are out of whack. Economic dislocation will accompany efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate disruption. Individual lifestyle choices are important. With which of these statements do you agree (disagree)? What is the evidence? Discuss.

Climate disruption has created a new world: Discuss

255th National Meeting (2018)

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