...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
We are on the precipice of climate system tipping points beyond which there is no redemption.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote warns that we are nearing critical environmental thresholds that could lead to irreversible climate damage.
James Hansen emphasizes the urgency and critical nature of our current environmental situation, suggesting that we are approaching points of no return in the climate system. These tipping points, if crossed, could lead to catastrophic changes, making it impossible for us to restore the climate to a previous state, thus stressing the need for immediate action to mitigate climate change.
Themes
ClimateTipping PointsEnvironmentSustainabilityUrgentRedemption
In practice
Example use cases
In a conference about environmental policy to illustrate the urgency of climate action.
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.
James HansenRead
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.
James HansenRead
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
Similar quotes
In a delightful garden, sowing, planting or digging are not hardship but are done with a zeal and a certain pleasure.
Martin LutherRead
When you're on one of the Caribbean islands, sometimes it's hard to picture how they fit in with the rest, but when you see them all joined together like a necklace from space, you see the natural geographic connectedness of them all.
Chris HadfieldRead
It's beautiful," said Mort softly. "What is it?" THE SUN IS UNDER THE DISC, said Death. "Is it like this every night?" EVERY NIGHT, said Death. NATURE'S LIKE THAT. "Doesn't anyone know?" ME. YOU. THE GODS. GOOD, ISN'T IT? "Gosh!" Death leaned over the saddle and looked down at the kingdoms of the world. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, he said, BUT I COULD MURDER A CURRY.
Terry PratchettRead
Cultivating and conserving diversity is no luxury in our times: it is a survival imperative.
Vandana ShivaRead
The more you go on, the less you need people standing between you and the animal and the camera waving their arms about.
David AttenboroughRead
Every time I have some moment on a seashore, or in the mountains, or sometimes in a quiet forest, I think this is why the environment has to be preserved.
Bill BradleyRead