[Vision2020] EARTH'S "TIPPING POINTS": NASA at American Geophysical Union

[Ted Moffett]

*http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/agu2007_press.html*
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*EARTH'S "TIPPING POINTS": HOW CLOSE ARE WE?
TIME:* Thurs., Dec. 13, 12 noon EST (9 a.m. PST)
*RELATED SESSION:* GC44A
Abrupt changes in climate are now an established phenomenon in Earth's
history and there is growing concern that our planet may be at a "tipping
point" of dramatic climate change due this time to anthropogenic influences.
Scientists from across different disciplines are now looking at many parts
of the Earth system for signs of such pivotal shifts either already underway
or likely to happen in this century. Researchers will present the latest
results from the perspective of global climate as well as potential impacts
on three key regions of the globe. James Hansen discusses the "unrealized"
global warming of Earth's climate system and the resulting need for urgent
action to cut emissions beyond carbon dioxide. Richard Alley discusses the
possibility that sustained warming of a few decades could produce major ice
sheet losses that would last centuries. Peter Webster reports on a societal
tipping point along three heavily populated Asian river basins when
climate-induced changes to river flows collide with population growth. Joey
Comiso reports that this year's large Arctic sea ice decline may be the
tipping point for perennial ice and a recovery may not be possible in the
foreseeable future.
Panelists:


   - James Hansen, director, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies,;
   adjunct professor of earth and environmental sciences, Columbia University,
   New York
   - Peter Webster, professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences,
   Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
   - Joey Comiso, senior research scientist for polar oceanography, NASA
   Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
   Richard Alley, Evan Pugh professor of geosciences, associate of the
   Earth and Environmental Systems Institute, Pennsylvania State University,
   State College, Pa.


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Global Warming "Tipping Points" Reached, Scientist Says:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/12/071214-tipping-points.html

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Vision2020 Post: Ted Moffett
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