ESTC35H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Carbon Sink, Permafrost, Nuclear Power
4 Apr 2018
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Document Summary
The ipcc mandate is to collect and assess scientific, technical, and socio-economic information that is relevant to understanding human-induced climate change, its potential impacts, and options for mitigation and adaptation. Climate change isn"t just about global average temperatures. It"s about precipitation, storms droughts, fires, epidemics, forestry, fishery, transportation, farming, new markets, ecology, economy, livelihoods, cultures. We are committed to climate change, the question is whether we can do anything to prevent the extreme changes. Chapter 1, whole earth discipline: scale, scope, stakes, speed - brand (2009): Scale is planetary, scope is centuries, stakes are civilization, and the speed is self- accelerating human technologies. Humans always fight over resources because they outstrip the carrying capacity of their natural environment. Peace comes when carrying capacity is increased. Civilization can collapse if carrying capacity is lowered by severe climate change. Climate change will be a major driver of world wars. Positive-feedback loops amplify change due to cumulative causation.
