Scientific Case for Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change to Protect Young People and Nature

• Main Authors: James Hansena, Pushker Kharechaa, Makiko Satoa, Frank Ackermanb, Paul J. Heartyc, Ove Hoegh-guldbergd, Shi-ling Hsue, Fred Kruegerf, Camille Parmesang, Johan Rockstromi, Eelco J. Rohlingj, Jeffrey Sachsk, Pete Smithl, Lise Van Susterenn, Karina Von Schuckmanno, James C. Zachosp
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Greenland; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.454.8019; http://mpoc.be/gl/liege/doc/climat/-~En-anglais/Hansen-James_ScientificCaseForAvoidingDangerousClimateChangeToProtectYoungPeopeAndNature_octobre2010.pdf

Summary. Humanity is now the dominant force driving changes of Earth's atmospheric composition and thus future climate (1). The principal climate forcing is carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuel emissions, much of which will remain in the atmosphere for millennia (1, 2). The climate response to this forcing and society's response to climate change are complicated by the system's inertia, mainly due to the ocean and the ice sheets on Greenland and Antarctica. This inertia causes climate to appear to respond slowly to this human-made forcing, but further long-lasting responses may be locked in. We use Earth’s measured energy imbalance and paleoclimate data, along with simple, accurate representations of the global carbon cycle and temperature, to define emission reductions needed to stabilize climate and avoid potentially