...99 percent confident that the world really was getting warmer and that there was a high degree of probability that it was due to human-made greenhouse gases.
James HansenRead
The evidence for human-made climate change is overwhelming.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Human activities are significantly contributing to climate change, and the evidence supporting this is substantial.
James Hansen emphasizes the clarity and abundance of evidence indicating that human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, are driving climate change. This statement highlights the urgency of addressing environmental issues and acknowledges the scientific consensus on the impact of human actions on the planet's climate systems.
Themes
Climate ChangeHuman ImpactEvidenceScienceEnvironment
In practice
Example use cases
During a climate change seminar, you can use this quote to stress the importance of addressing environmental policies.
More from James Hansen
All quotes βWe need to send a message to Congress and the president that we want them to take the actions that are needed to preserve climate for young people and future generations and all life on the planet.
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Coral reefs, the rain forest of the ocean, are home for one-third of the species of the sea. Coral reefs are under stress for several reasons, including warming of the ocean, but especially because of ocean acidification, a direct effect of added carbon dioxide. Ocean life dependent on carbonate shells and skeletons is threatened by dissolution as the ocean becomes more acid.
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Rising carbon price is essential to 'decarbonize' the economy - to remove the nation towards the era beyond fossil fuels.
James HansenRead
We have at most ten years - not ten years to decide upon action, but ten years to alter fundamentally the trajectory of global greenhouse emissions... We are near a tipping point, a point of no return, beyond which the built in momentum and feedbacks will carry us to levels of climate change with staggering consequences for humanity and all of the residents of this planet.
James HansenRead
'Goals' and 'caps' on carbon emissions are practically worthless, if coal emissions continue, because of the exceedingly long lifetime of carbon dioxide in the air.
James HansenRead
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