Saturday 31 October 2020

James Hansen - Sophie’s Planet

 

Annual global energy consumption in alternative units on the vertical axis.

30 October 2020

James Hansen
 
Sophie’s Planet is the world that will be inhabited by today’s young people, their children, grandchildren and the “seventh generation.”  There is no good reason that this planet cannot continue to be a spectacular world in which humans co-exist with all other life.

Sophie’s Planet – the book – is being written for young people, especially those who can provide leadership to help the world dig its way out of the present situation.  People must understand that climate change is real and a threat, if we let it continue to grow.  But we should not panic.

It has taken me a long time to write it, but I am getting close to finishing it.  In the current version of the Preface I emphasize the importance of citizens understanding government policies.  It is not enough to elect a politician with a big heart and good intentions.

Information about energy sources and climate policies needs to be presented to the public on the basis of rigorous, understandable science.  The public must choose its energy pathways, which will vary from place to place, but choices should be informed by transparent scientific analysis.

The full climate story is not “rocket science” – it is not too arcane for the public to understand.  However, it is complex because of its many parts, which include climate science, energy science, economic science, legal science and political science.   (Yes, you could add more.)

I am optimistic about the future because of all the bright young people getting involved.  I mentioned a number of them in recent Communications, including Student Leadership, Why Are You Optimistic, and Sentinel for the Home Planet.

On 11 December last year I put out an appeal for funding support of our organization, Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions, because we had lost two of our long-term major funders (Two Gentlemen).  We were amazed and grateful for the outpouring of support of more than 100 donations and matching support from the Grantham Foundation.  Combined with the fact that Craig Rye found independent support for his research, our program is funded through 2020.

We need to find support for 2021, so I hope that you may consider making a donation to either my CSAS program at Columbia University (which supports Pushker Kharecha – my deputy and expert in carbon cycle and energy – and Makiko Sato – physicist and expert in all data) or my non-profit CSAS.inc (which supports our communications consultant Eunbi Jeong and our work with attorney Dan Galpern on multiple legal cases aimed at affecting the policies of the fossil fuel industry and governments, and supports other expenses – computers, copiers, travel, etc.—without overhead.)  Wheels of Justice includes discussion of the legal work and example cases.

I hope that our analysis in Sophie’s Planet will help us find longer-term support for our program.  The figure above for global energy consumption, along with the current status of climate change, makes clear that a dramatic course change must be initiated in the 2020s.  I will try to make the case that we could contribute significantly to that task.

Contributions to CSAS at Columbia University can be made directly at https://csas.givenow.columbia.edu/#. This is the easiest and fastest way to give online directly to our Columbia program.  Alternatively, you can send a check to:
 
   If sending by USPS:
       Columbia University—Gift Systems
       P.O. Box 1523
       New York, NY  10008
 
   If sending by FedEx, UPS, or similar courier:
       CheckAlt/Klik
       711 Executive Blvd.  Suite H
       Batching Department—1523
       Valley Cottage, NY  10989
 
Checks should be made payable to “The Trustees of Columbia University” and include a note on the memo line that the gift is for “Earth Institute’s Program on Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions.”  Donation instructions are also on our giving page: https://csas.earth.columbia.edu/giving.  Pushker Kharecha pak2111@columbia.edu also can provide assistance.
 

Contributions to CSAS.inc. can be made directly at https://donorbox.org/support-climate-science-awareness-and-solutions. Instructions for gift checks and wire transfers are available here.  Eunbi Jeong (csasinc.jeong@gmail.com) can provide additional information if you have any questions on how to contribute to CSAS.inc.

Since all CSAS members are working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a temporary address for all gift checks to CSAS.inc. However, we still encourage you to make online contributions for faster and contactless gift processing.

      Dr. James E. Hansen
      Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions
      560 Riverside Dr. #21B
      New York, NY 10027                         

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