NASA scientist: Time is running out to avoid catastrophic climate change

MAMMOTH LAKES - A leading NASA scientist who blew the whistle on the White House after it redacted significant findings regarding global warming expressed hope Tuesday that humans could avert the specter of catastrophic climate change, only if drastic action is taken within the next 10 years.

James E. Hansen, head of the NASA Institute for Space Studies, spoke at Operation Sierra Storm, a meteorological conference held in Mammoth Lakes. The topic of this year's conference is global warming.

"I think there is still time to deal with global warming, but we need to act soon," Hansen told scientists and meteorologists gathered for the three-day conference.

Hansen warned that without immediate international cooperation, the people of Earth may saddle future generations with heavy moral and financial burdens that will result in climate change.

Evidence shows itself

He pointed to rapid species extinction and the loss of large portions of polar ice shelves as evidence that global warming is now under way. He also used these examples to show that warming's effects are significant and these effects will grow in magnitude as time goes on.

"Global warming is already starting and there is going to be more," he said, citing evidence taken from historic ice cores showing the rapid level of melt because of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

A chief concern is how warm the planet will get before it becomes dangerous, he said. Hansen predicted that catastrophic climate change could be avoided if global average temperature increased by less than one degree Celsius.

This degree of climate change would occur if carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere surpassed 450 parts per million, Hansen said. The atmosphere now contains about 380 parts per million carbon dioxide.

"These (greenhouse) gases are increasing because of human activity, specifically the burning of fossil fuels," he said, noting the current rates of oil and gas usage will increase the atmospheric concentration to over the 450 ppm level without taking into account any of the other sources of greenhouse gases.

Hansen said the gradual increase of taxes on carbon dioxide emission will be important to wean society from its dependence on oil. He said the development of a variety of non-carbon or carbon-reducing technologies is also critical as is the elimination of coal burning power plants.

Ways to improve

Hansen also felt that increased building and vehicle efficiency is critical to improving the condition of the atmosphere. These technologies have already been proven effective in reducing emissions. Ultimately the development of power plants and automobiles that emit zero carbon is a major component of the final solution to global warming.

Although advances in technology are part of the ultimate solution, Hansen pointed toward international cooperation as the major factor in solving the global warming issue.

Hansen brought this point and others to the nation's attention last year on the CBS television news show "60 Minutes" after the Bush Administration censored large sections of NASA's scientific findings.