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 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment