so it’s good to be home to where I started my career I spent a little over
started my career I spent a little over
started my career I spent a little over a decade teaching science at Thomas
a decade teaching science at Thomas
a decade teaching science at Thomas Worthington and I now have the pleasure
Worthington and I now have the pleasure
Worthington and I now have the pleasure of working with a group of scientists at
of working with a group of scientists at
of working with a group of scientists at Ohio State that work all over the world
Ohio State that work all over the world
Ohio State that work all over the world to try to understand our climate system
to try to understand our climate system
to try to understand our climate system in polar regions and it’s an exciting
in polar regions and it’s an exciting
in polar regions and it’s an exciting place to work because I get to be a mesh
place to work because I get to be a mesh
place to work because I get to be a mesh within the scientific community and I
within the scientific community and I
within the scientific community and I also get to see what a lot of different
also get to see what a lot of different
also get to see what a lot of different disciplines in the sciences do day to
disciplines in the sciences do day to
disciplines in the sciences do day to day so I wanted to start out with this
day so I wanted to start out with this
day so I wanted to start out with this quote by carl sagan from a few decades
quote by carl sagan from a few decades
quote by carl sagan from a few decades ago that i think unfortunately is still
ago that i think unfortunately is still
ago that i think unfortunately is still very relevant today about three years
very relevant today about three years
very relevant today about three years ago my wife and i purchased a very old
ago my wife and i purchased a very old
ago my wife and i purchased a very old house in the city and is that anybody
house in the city and is that anybody
house in the city and is that anybody knows when you purchase a house you sign
knows when you purchase a house you sign
knows when you purchase a house you sign a lot of documents and one of the
a lot of documents and one of the
a lot of documents and one of the documents you go ahead and you sign
documents you go ahead and you sign
documents you go ahead and you sign deals with lead paint and the lead paint
deals with lead paint and the lead paint
deals with lead paint and the lead paint thats around many houses in the US and
thats around many houses in the US and
thats around many houses in the US and we signed those documents we both
we signed those documents we both
we signed those documents we both renovated houses didn’t think much about
renovated houses didn’t think much about
renovated houses didn’t think much about it during that renovation there’s a
it during that renovation there’s a
it during that renovation there’s a number of precautions we took but there
number of precautions we took but there
number of precautions we took but there was a lot of blood paint chips that were
was a lot of blood paint chips that were
was a lot of blood paint chips that were throughout the house there’s a lot of
throughout the house there’s a lot of
throughout the house there’s a lot of lead paint dust generated and shortly
lead paint dust generated and shortly
lead paint dust generated and shortly after we moved in my daughter was born
after we moved in my daughter was born
after we moved in my daughter was born and during the course of her one-year
and during the course of her one-year
and during the course of her one-year checkup we came to find out that she had
checkup we came to find out that she had
checkup we came to find out that she had an elevated lead level something that we
an elevated lead level something that we
an elevated lead level something that we didn’t expect and we were very surprised
didn’t expect and we were very surprised
didn’t expect and we were very surprised because we thought we had taken the
because we thought we had taken the
because we thought we had taken the right precautions which took me to
right precautions which took me to
right precautions which took me to re-examine some of the work that I had
re-examine some of the work that I had
re-examine some of the work that I had done and some of the challenges that we
done and some of the challenges that we
done and some of the challenges that we were going to face with her health and
were going to face with her health and
were going to face with her health and some of the challenges I faced try to
some of the challenges I faced try to
some of the challenges I faced try to communicate scientific information Ohio
communicate scientific information Ohio
communicate scientific information Ohio State every day in democracy and
State every day in democracy and
State every day in democracy and capitalism there’s two boxes that are
capitalism there’s two boxes that are
capitalism there’s two boxes that are critically important to making decisions
critically important to making decisions
critically important to making decisions and one of those is the ballot box and
and one of those is the ballot box and
and one of those is the ballot box and where we vote for individuals and
where we vote for individuals and
where we vote for individuals and initiatives the second is where we make
initiatives the second is where we make
initiatives the second is where we make decisions every day and that’s the cash
decisions every day and that’s the cash
decisions every day and that’s the cash box places we spend our dollars and we
box places we spend our dollars and we
box places we spend our dollars and we make those decisions we need accurate
make those decisions we need accurate
make those decisions we need accurate information to make those decisions and
information to make those decisions and
information to make those decisions and there’s a number of vehicles we have to
there’s a number of vehicles we have to
there’s a number of vehicles we have to help us make informed decisions one of
help us make informed decisions one of
help us make informed decisions one of those is investigative journalism that
those is investigative journalism that
those is investigative journalism that should give us information about how our
should give us information about how our
should give us information about how our public discourse is operating things
public discourse is operating things
public discourse is operating things that are happening in science business
that are happening in science business
that are happening in science business government the public arena and the
government the public arena and the
government the public arena and the second is science how we go to better
second is science how we go to better
second is science how we go to better understand our natural world and
understand our natural world and
understand our natural world and hopefully use that information to make
hopefully use that information to make
hopefully use that information to make informed decisions about what we’re
informed decisions about what we’re
informed decisions about what we’re doing day to day I’d like to speak a bit
doing day to day I’d like to speak a bit
doing day to day I’d like to speak a bit about science today and how science
about science today and how science
about science today and how science operates for many people you don’t
operates for many people you don’t
operates for many people you don’t realize how much science is impacting
realize how much science is impacting
realize how much science is impacting your everyday life
your everyday life
your everyday life I think there’s an appreciation now for
I think there’s an appreciation now for
I think there’s an appreciation now for the devices we have in our pockets and
the devices we have in our pockets and
the devices we have in our pockets and and how those would have been considered
and how those would have been considered
and how those would have been considered supercomputers three decades ago but we
supercomputers three decades ago but we
supercomputers three decades ago but we also interact with science and a lot of
also interact with science and a lot of
also interact with science and a lot of superficial levels everyday and we don’t
superficial levels everyday and we don’t
superficial levels everyday and we don’t understand the complexity happening
understand the complexity happening
understand the complexity happening below the surface and one of those is
below the surface and one of those is
below the surface and one of those is our weather forecast
our weather forecast
our weather forecast most people when you look at a weather
most people when you look at a weather
most people when you look at a weather forecast on the newspaper TV or radio
forecast on the newspaper TV or radio
forecast on the newspaper TV or radio will think that that forecast is coming
will think that that forecast is coming
will think that that forecast is coming from the agency where you’re watching it
from the agency where you’re watching it
from the agency where you’re watching it the news the newspaper or the online
the news the newspaper or the online
the news the newspaper or the online feed but really they’re just reimaging
feed but really they’re just reimaging
feed but really they’re just reimaging and making data accessible that was
and making data accessible that was
and making data accessible that was created by a government agency and a
created by a government agency and a
created by a government agency and a much bigger scientific community and
much bigger scientific community and
much bigger scientific community and that much bigger scientific community is
that much bigger scientific community is
that much bigger scientific community is the National Weather Service so every
the National Weather Service so every
the National Weather Service so every day there are weather balloons deployed
day there are weather balloons deployed
day there are weather balloons deployed throughout the US we have very complex
throughout the US we have very complex
throughout the US we have very complex satellites that collect data there’s a
satellites that collect data there’s a
satellites that collect data there’s a research community’s going ahead and
research community’s going ahead and
research community’s going ahead and improving the modeling techniques that
improving the modeling techniques that
improving the modeling techniques that we have available and the National
we have available and the National
we have available and the National Weather Service and NOAA provide us with
Weather Service and NOAA provide us with
Weather Service and NOAA provide us with the forecasts that then our news media
the forecasts that then our news media
the forecasts that then our news media goes ahead and provides in a format
goes ahead and provides in a format
goes ahead and provides in a format that’s easier for us to understand but
that’s easier for us to understand but
that’s easier for us to understand but there’s a lot of science below the
there’s a lot of science below the
there’s a lot of science below the surface that we don’t maybe appreciate
surface that we don’t maybe appreciate
surface that we don’t maybe appreciate how those tax dollars are put to work if
how those tax dollars are put to work if
how those tax dollars are put to work if you ask the average student and you ask
you ask the average student and you ask
you ask the average student and you ask them to draw a picture of a scientist
them to draw a picture of a scientist
them to draw a picture of a scientist typically the picture you’ll get is a
typically the picture you’ll get is a
typically the picture you’ll get is a disheveled person in a lab coat maybe
disheveled person in a lab coat maybe
disheveled person in a lab coat maybe some beakers in the background
some beakers in the background
some beakers in the background typically a white male and this is quite
typically a white male and this is quite
typically a white male and this is quite a bit of research in this arena
a bit of research in this arena
a bit of research in this arena if you probe and prod a bit more maybe
if you probe and prod a bit more maybe
if you probe and prod a bit more maybe ask young adults or adults they’ll say
ask young adults or adults they’ll say
ask young adults or adults they’ll say it’s a collection of facts textbooks
it’s a collection of facts textbooks
it’s a collection of facts textbooks things that they learned in school they
things that they learned in school they
things that they learned in school they may even can point to the textbook they
may even can point to the textbook they
may even can point to the textbook they used and if you poke and prod a bit more
used and if you poke and prod a bit more
used and if you poke and prod a bit more you’ll get answers as though it’s it’s
you’ll get answers as though it’s it’s
you’ll get answers as though it’s it’s crazy apparatus it’s an experiment an
crazy apparatus it’s an experiment an
crazy apparatus it’s an experiment an explosion something happening with
explosion something happening with
explosion something happening with flames and if you keep prodding you’ll
flames and if you keep prodding you’ll
flames and if you keep prodding you’ll typically get a reference to the
typically get a reference to the
typically get a reference to the scientific method chapter one of most
scientific method chapter one of most
scientific method chapter one of most high school ninth grade textbooks you
high school ninth grade textbooks you
high school ninth grade textbooks you know a method that most scientists that
know a method that most scientists that
know a method that most scientists that work in the arena would argue nobody
work in the arena would argue nobody
work in the arena would argue nobody follows verbatim some people test
follows verbatim some people test
follows verbatim some people test hypotheses many people I work with don’t
hypotheses many people I work with don’t
hypotheses many people I work with don’t everybody does something in this process
everybody does something in this process
everybody does something in this process and there’s a philosophical underpinning
and there’s a philosophical underpinning
and there’s a philosophical underpinning but nobody actually follows this step
but nobody actually follows this step
but nobody actually follows this step this process lockstep this is a more
this process lockstep this is a more
this process lockstep this is a more accurate portrayal the science I deal
accurate portrayal the science I deal
accurate portrayal the science I deal with every day it’s largely based on
with every day it’s largely based on
with every day it’s largely based on communication we have to get together as
communication we have to get together as
communication we have to get together as a team write a proposal find funding
a team write a proposal find funding
a team write a proposal find funding that funding has to be used to fund the
that funding has to be used to fund the
that funding has to be used to fund the science and pay for the work that’s
science and pay for the work that’s
science and pay for the work that’s being done we have to get together in
being done we have to get together in
being done we have to get together in meetings and figure out how to approach
meetings and figure out how to approach
meetings and figure out how to approach an experiment how to collect data how to
an experiment how to collect data how to
an experiment how to collect data how to share information what are the conclude
share information what are the conclude
share information what are the conclude mean are there any assumptions we
mean are there any assumptions we
mean are there any assumptions we haven’t thought about you create posters
haven’t thought about you create posters
haven’t thought about you create posters and set seminar talks you share that
and set seminar talks you share that
and set seminar talks you share that information more you write manuscripts
information more you write manuscripts
information more you write manuscripts you publish but also there’s data this
you publish but also there’s data this
you publish but also there’s data this all has to be based on and that data is
all has to be based on and that data is
all has to be based on and that data is collected for us in the field and also
collected for us in the field and also
collected for us in the field and also in the laboratory now this process is
in the laboratory now this process is
in the laboratory now this process is quite old and motiva because most people
quite old and motiva because most people
quite old and motiva because most people don’t realize how how long the
don’t realize how how long the
don’t realize how how long the scientific process has been around the
scientific process has been around the
scientific process has been around the formal process we follow today it was
formal process we follow today it was
formal process we follow today it was natural philosophy it largely stems from
natural philosophy it largely stems from
natural philosophy it largely stems from Sir Francis Bacon in the 15 and 1602 who
Sir Francis Bacon in the 15 and 1602 who
Sir Francis Bacon in the 15 and 1602 who said that we couldn’t just base our
said that we couldn’t just base our
said that we couldn’t just base our scientific conclusions on philosophy we
scientific conclusions on philosophy we
scientific conclusions on philosophy we had to have observable facts we had to
had to have observable facts we had to
had to have observable facts we had to use our five senses and those five
use our five senses and those five
use our five senses and those five senses had to inform what we were doing
senses had to inform what we were doing
senses had to inform what we were doing we had to be able to refute the
we had to be able to refute the
we had to be able to refute the information we are coming up with we had
information we are coming up with we had
information we are coming up with we had to be able to share it out and at the
to be able to share it out and at the
to be able to share it out and at the same time the Royal Society in England
same time the Royal Society in England
same time the Royal Society in England was created for people doing research to
was created for people doing research to
was created for people doing research to share out their results with the
share out their results with the
share out their results with the community and with themselves to push
community and with themselves to push
community and with themselves to push themselves ahead to publish their
themselves ahead to publish their
themselves ahead to publish their results now realize these people were
results now realize these people were
results now realize these people were largely aristocrats or people they’re
largely aristocrats or people they’re
largely aristocrats or people they’re able to find favor with wealthy
able to find favor with wealthy
able to find favor with wealthy individuals or royalty but it’s at the
individuals or royalty but it’s at the
individuals or royalty but it’s at the stage for the scientific community we
stage for the scientific community we
stage for the scientific community we see currently and then we saw some
see currently and then we saw some
see currently and then we saw some advancements in our own country and one
advancements in our own country and one
advancements in our own country and one that surprises most people is the
that surprises most people is the
that surprises most people is the development of the National Academies of
development of the National Academies of
development of the National Academies of science which is still present in the
science which is still present in the
science which is still present in the u.s. today the National Academies was
u.s. today the National Academies was
u.s. today the National Academies was started by Abraham Lincoln and Abraham
started by Abraham Lincoln and Abraham
started by Abraham Lincoln and Abraham Lincoln was challenged with a difficult
Lincoln was challenged with a difficult
Lincoln was challenged with a difficult scientific problem which is to develop a
scientific problem which is to develop a
scientific problem which is to develop a magnetic compass to work in an iron
magnetic compass to work in an iron
magnetic compass to work in an iron sighted ship a place that would normally
sighted ship a place that would normally
sighted ship a place that would normally interfere with the compass that was
interfere with the compass that was
interfere with the compass that was developed and they were having problems
developed and they were having problems
developed and they were having problems they couldn’t find a company or
they couldn’t find a company or
they couldn’t find a company or individual to develop this device so he
individual to develop this device so he
individual to develop this device so he went to the scientific community
went to the scientific community
went to the scientific community he created an all-volunteer group that
he created an all-volunteer group that
he created an all-volunteer group that would elect the next generation of
would elect the next generation of
would elect the next generation of researchers but the intent was to make
researchers but the intent was to make
researchers but the intent was to make sure that nobody was biased was nobody
sure that nobody was biased was nobody
sure that nobody was biased was nobody was there to get money off the system
was there to get money off the system
was there to get money off the system they were there to develop the best
they were there to develop the best
they were there to develop the best understanding with the current signs we
understanding with the current signs we
understanding with the current signs we had and the National Academy still
had and the National Academy still
had and the National Academy still exists today and any time the US
exists today and any time the US
exists today and any time the US government has a challenging problem
government has a challenging problem
government has a challenging problem that we can’t find an answer to we turn
that we can’t find an answer to we turn
that we can’t find an answer to we turn to the National Academies to distill
to the National Academies to distill
to the National Academies to distill down the best science that’s out there
following World War two we saw the
following World War two we saw the opening of science in the US there’s
opening of science in the US there’s
opening of science in the US there’s been so much that have been done
been so much that have been done
been so much that have been done preceding World War two and so much
preceding World War two and so much
preceding World War two and so much investment in science that the US had
investment in science that the US had
investment in science that the US had had they decided they need to open up
had they decided they need to open up
had they decided they need to open up funding for researchers that are outside
funding for researchers that are outside
funding for researchers that are outside the typical method
the typical method
the typical method most research as I mentioned have been
most research as I mentioned have been
most research as I mentioned have been funded by wealthy aristocrats royalty
funded by wealthy aristocrats royalty
funded by wealthy aristocrats royalty philanthropists at this point the US
philanthropists at this point the US
philanthropists at this point the US government invested a lot more money and
government invested a lot more money and
government invested a lot more money and we saw research centers like my so the
we saw research centers like my so the
we saw research centers like my so the current one at work at an Ohio State
current one at work at an Ohio State
current one at work at an Ohio State able to go ahead and have their own
able to go ahead and have their own
able to go ahead and have their own projects and research initiatives but
projects and research initiatives but
projects and research initiatives but still we have this misconception every
still we have this misconception every
still we have this misconception every day that science is this linear progress
day that science is this linear progress
day that science is this linear progress process if we look in a textbook we’ll
process if we look in a textbook we’ll
process if we look in a textbook we’ll see this time line the advancement of
see this time line the advancement of
see this time line the advancement of science a few things to consider the
science a few things to consider the
science a few things to consider the process we see has false starts has dead
process we see has false starts has dead
process we see has false starts has dead ends
ends
ends sometimes disciplines fold back in on
sometimes disciplines fold back in on
sometimes disciplines fold back in on themselves the process never ends so the
themselves the process never ends so the
themselves the process never ends so the the timeline that we see shows an ending
the timeline that we see shows an ending
the timeline that we see shows an ending but it never reaches an end we keep
but it never reaches an end we keep
but it never reaches an end we keep advancing our knowledge even with that
advancing our knowledge even with that
advancing our knowledge even with that advancement of knowledge we have to make
advancement of knowledge we have to make
advancement of knowledge we have to make decisions with the best information we
decisions with the best information we
decisions with the best information we have today be at best it’s the best we
have today be at best it’s the best we
have today be at best it’s the best we have even if it’s not final now I’d be
have even if it’s not final now I’d be
have even if it’s not final now I’d be remiss to say that science isn’t perfect
remiss to say that science isn’t perfect
remiss to say that science isn’t perfect we have seen charlatans we have seen
we have seen charlatans we have seen
we have seen charlatans we have seen individuals published information was
individuals published information was
individuals published information was fraudulent the data was shown to be
fraudulent the data was shown to be
fraudulent the data was shown to be invalidated such as the idea that
invalidated such as the idea that
invalidated such as the idea that vaccines would contribute to autism
vaccines would contribute to autism
vaccines would contribute to autism we’ve had individuals steal scientific
we’ve had individuals steal scientific
we’ve had individuals steal scientific data to discern the structure of DNA
data to discern the structure of DNA
data to discern the structure of DNA egos coming in the way of scientific
egos coming in the way of scientific
egos coming in the way of scientific work and ends justifying the means
work and ends justifying the means
work and ends justifying the means nonetheless science is a human process
nonetheless science is a human process
nonetheless science is a human process and we eventually get to truth
and we eventually get to truth
and we eventually get to truth fraudulent data bad information is
fraudulent data bad information is
fraudulent data bad information is eventually found out and as I worked at
eventually found out and as I worked at
eventually found out and as I worked at our Center I’ve learned the complexity
our Center I’ve learned the complexity
our Center I’ve learned the complexity of information the role that science has
of information the role that science has
of information the role that science has had in our policymaking arena I’ll start
had in our policymaking arena I’ll start
had in our policymaking arena I’ll start out with lead paint his lead paints
out with lead paint his lead paints
out with lead paint his lead paints what’s most affected my family recently
what’s most affected my family recently
what’s most affected my family recently and he’ll be started to try to figure
and he’ll be started to try to figure
and he’ll be started to try to figure out was it LED paint dust was it toys
out was it LED paint dust was it toys
out was it LED paint dust was it toys that were painted with lead paint that
that were painted with lead paint that
that were painted with lead paint that were brought in over from overseas was
were brought in over from overseas was
were brought in over from overseas was it lead pipes that were leading into our
it lead pipes that were leading into our
it lead pipes that were leading into our houses we found out that there’s
houses we found out that there’s
houses we found out that there’s actually a very complex history to lead
actually a very complex history to lead
actually a very complex history to lead that’s well understood and that a lot of
that’s well understood and that a lot of
that’s well understood and that a lot of decisions and science hadn’t been taken
decisions and science hadn’t been taken
decisions and science hadn’t been taken into account our first understanding of
into account our first understanding of
into account our first understanding of lead and lead paints is from the
lead and lead paints is from the
lead and lead paints is from the eighteen and 1900s early 1900s and that
eighteen and 1900s early 1900s and that
eighteen and 1900s early 1900s and that information and European countries led
information and European countries led
information and European countries led to the banning of lead paint whitening
to the banning of lead paint whitening
to the banning of lead paint whitening agents that were led based most paints
agents that were led based most paints
agents that were led based most paints by the 1920s now my house was built in
by the 1920s now my house was built in
by the 1920s now my house was built in 1908 so it’s very likely if these had
1908 so it’s very likely if these had
1908 so it’s very likely if these had also been banned in the u.s. my house
also been banned in the u.s. my house
also been banned in the u.s. my house would have never been painted white the
would have never been painted white the
would have never been painted white the insides the wood trim and we would have
insides the wood trim and we would have
insides the wood trim and we would have no paint let pain issue but come to find
no paint let pain issue but come to find
no paint let pain issue but come to find out in our own country
out in our own country
out in our own country didn’t decide to adopt a man until the
didn’t decide to adopt a man until the
didn’t decide to adopt a man until the early 70s and that abandoned go into
early 70s and that abandoned go into
early 70s and that abandoned go into effect into the late 70s dramatically
effect into the late 70s dramatically
effect into the late 70s dramatically affecting my family’s life
affecting my family’s life
affecting my family’s life also realizing that in Columbus there
also realizing that in Columbus there
also realizing that in Columbus there are many houses and many large cities
are many houses and many large cities
are many houses and many large cities throughout the u.s. that have a similar
throughout the u.s. that have a similar
throughout the u.s. that have a similar problem
problem
problem what about CFCs growing up as a child I
what about CFCs growing up as a child I
what about CFCs growing up as a child I remember seeing this in my textbooks all
remember seeing this in my textbooks all
remember seeing this in my textbooks all the time there’s information about
the time there’s information about
the time there’s information about statues that were being discolored or
statues that were being discolored or
statues that were being discolored or disintegrating in large cities we saw a
disintegrating in large cities we saw a
disintegrating in large cities we saw a lot of places out in the eastern US that
lot of places out in the eastern US that
lot of places out in the eastern US that had contaminated watersheds we knew
had contaminated watersheds we knew
had contaminated watersheds we knew about CFCs in the 70s and the scientific
about CFCs in the 70s and the scientific
about CFCs in the 70s and the scientific consensus was pretty clear and we had
consensus was pretty clear and we had
consensus was pretty clear and we had adopted a public policy to deal with
adopted a public policy to deal with
adopted a public policy to deal with this by the late 80s now it’s kind of
this by the late 80s now it’s kind of
this by the late 80s now it’s kind of fallen on a vote today we don’t hear too
fallen on a vote today we don’t hear too
fallen on a vote today we don’t hear too much about it that hole hasn’t
much about it that hole hasn’t
much about it that hole hasn’t disappeared it’s still there and it will
disappeared it’s still there and it will
disappeared it’s still there and it will eventually close we had a success story
eventually close we had a success story
eventually close we had a success story led by the United States acid rain
led by the United States acid rain
led by the United States acid rain another example in this case there was
another example in this case there was
another example in this case there was data that came in from the early 60s and
data that came in from the early 60s and
data that came in from the early 60s and by the nineteen 1995 we had happen trade
by the nineteen 1995 we had happen trade
by the nineteen 1995 we had happen trade system that allowed us to go ahead and
system that allowed us to go ahead and
system that allowed us to go ahead and deal with the the acid rain situation
deal with the the acid rain situation
deal with the the acid rain situation smoking something that a lot of
smoking something that a lot of
smoking something that a lot of consensus has been reached and by early
consensus has been reached and by early
consensus has been reached and by early 60s the Surgeon General had created a
60s the Surgeon General had created a
60s the Surgeon General had created a document that summarized all of our
document that summarized all of our
document that summarized all of our findings about cigarette smoke the
findings about cigarette smoke the
findings about cigarette smoke the contribution to things like lung cancer
contribution to things like lung cancer
contribution to things like lung cancer and by 1998 there was a settlement but
and by 1998 there was a settlement but
and by 1998 there was a settlement but in that settlement we found something
in that settlement we found something
in that settlement we found something out about the process that a lot of
out about the process that a lot of
out about the process that a lot of industries invested int’rested used in
industries invested int’rested used in
industries invested int’rested used in the u.s. to try to debunk the science we
the u.s. to try to debunk the science we
the u.s. to try to debunk the science we found out there was a very clear
found out there was a very clear
found out there was a very clear understanding of the contribution
understanding of the contribution
understanding of the contribution between smoking and lung cancer and
between smoking and lung cancer and
between smoking and lung cancer and other health issues but that information
other health issues but that information
other health issues but that information was buried there was an active vehicle
was buried there was an active vehicle
was buried there was an active vehicle of communication that had been used to
of communication that had been used to
of communication that had been used to try to make the science unclear to
try to make the science unclear to
try to make the science unclear to attack with scientific research done in
attack with scientific research done in
attack with scientific research done in the universities around the u.s. and in
the universities around the u.s. and in
the universities around the u.s. and in some cases to attack individuals which
some cases to attack individuals which
some cases to attack individuals which takes us to the place that I operate day
takes us to the place that I operate day
takes us to the place that I operate day to day climate change still a very
to day climate change still a very
to day climate change still a very contentious issue in United States but
contentious issue in United States but
contentious issue in United States but unique to the United States and that no
unique to the United States and that no
unique to the United States and that no other country is currently having the
other country is currently having the
other country is currently having the same discussion we are now I could show
same discussion we are now I could show
same discussion we are now I could show lots and lots and lots of information on
lots and lots and lots of information on
lots and lots and lots of information on this but the summary is to look at the
this but the summary is to look at the
this but the summary is to look at the past and say our scientific
past and say our scientific
past and say our scientific understanding of climate change is quite
understanding of climate change is quite
understanding of climate change is quite clear and quite old as early as the
clear and quite old as early as the
clear and quite old as early as the 1700s we had an understanding of the
1700s we had an understanding of the
1700s we had an understanding of the greenhouse effect we understood and
greenhouse effect we understood and
greenhouse effect we understood and Sarge calculate how much the warming
Sarge calculate how much the warming
Sarge calculate how much the warming could be we started to go ahead and
could be we started to go ahead and
could be we started to go ahead and monitor co2 and how much mana there was
monitor co2 and how much mana there was
monitor co2 and how much mana there was in the atmosphere
in the atmosphere
in the atmosphere and that consensus would become clear
and that consensus would become clear
and that consensus would become clear enough that by the 1980s the modeling
enough that by the 1980s the modeling
enough that by the 1980s the modeling community and the atmospheric sciences
community and the atmospheric sciences
community and the atmospheric sciences started to understand what we expected
started to understand what we expected
started to understand what we expected the warming to be and started publishing
the warming to be and started publishing
the warming to be and started publishing papers on this currently many of the
papers on this currently many of the
papers on this currently many of the people that led those initiatives have
people that led those initiatives have
people that led those initiatives have since passed away the science is so old
since passed away the science is so old
since passed away the science is so old this is almost three decades ago that
this is almost three decades ago that
this is almost three decades ago that we’ve had consensus on climate change
we’ve had consensus on climate change
we’ve had consensus on climate change additional information came from other
additional information came from other
additional information came from other disciplines by the 90s in the early 90s
disciplines by the 90s in the early 90s
disciplines by the 90s in the early 90s we saw the Kyoto Protocol go into place
we saw the Kyoto Protocol go into place
we saw the Kyoto Protocol go into place unfortunately this initial international
unfortunately this initial international
unfortunately this initial international effort had some countries including the
effort had some countries including the
effort had some countries including the United States not sign up and so those
United States not sign up and so those
United States not sign up and so those mandatory effects never took place which
mandatory effects never took place which
mandatory effects never took place which led us to last December actually
led us to last December actually
led us to last December actually December 1996 when we had the Paris
December 1996 when we had the Paris
December 1996 when we had the Paris agreement and the Paris agreement was
agreement and the Paris agreement was
agreement and the Paris agreement was designed to be a step voluntary step in
designed to be a step voluntary step in
designed to be a step voluntary step in the right direction in the arena where I
the right direction in the arena where I
the right direction in the arena where I sit there are questions of whether this
sit there are questions of whether this
sit there are questions of whether this will get us where we want to be and we
will get us where we want to be and we
will get us where we want to be and we as all countries have agreed to have
as all countries have agreed to have
as all countries have agreed to have warming no greater than two degrees
warming no greater than two degrees
warming no greater than two degrees Celsius it will be difficult to reach
Celsius it will be difficult to reach
Celsius it will be difficult to reach that target so I’d like to show you an
that target so I’d like to show you an
that target so I’d like to show you an image of what changes we’ve seen on the
image of what changes we’ve seen on the
image of what changes we’ve seen on the earth already one thing we can look at
earth already one thing we can look at
earth already one thing we can look at is temperature changes and in the
is temperature changes and in the
is temperature changes and in the observable period since the 1880s we’ve
observable period since the 1880s we’ve
observable period since the 1880s we’ve seen a change in the planet you’ll see
seen a change in the planet you’ll see
seen a change in the planet you’ll see this become most pronounced in the 1960s
this become most pronounced in the 1960s
this become most pronounced in the 1960s areas that are orange are warmer than
areas that are orange are warmer than
areas that are orange are warmer than average areas that are blue are colder
average areas that are blue are colder
average areas that are blue are colder than average you see a dramatic impact
than average you see a dramatic impact
than average you see a dramatic impact especially in the Arctic and this is
especially in the Arctic and this is
especially in the Arctic and this is just one measure the changes we’ve
just one measure the changes we’ve
just one measure the changes we’ve already experienced changes that the
already experienced changes that the
already experienced changes that the scientific community has a very strong
scientific community has a very strong
scientific community has a very strong sense of I could show you other pictures
sense of I could show you other pictures
sense of I could show you other pictures of ice I could show you changes in
of ice I could show you changes in
of ice I could show you changes in precipitation patterns crow bleaching
precipitation patterns crow bleaching
precipitation patterns crow bleaching you can read about in the paper this
you can read about in the paper this
you can read about in the paper this week but that’s just one example which
week but that’s just one example which
week but that’s just one example which leads us to look below the surface if
leads us to look below the surface if
leads us to look below the surface if that’s what our temperature says we are
that’s what our temperature says we are
that’s what our temperature says we are what’s the checkup what other
what’s the checkup what other
what’s the checkup what other information if we start to poke and prod
information if we start to poke and prod
information if we start to poke and prod below the surface and the teams where I
below the surface and the teams where I
below the surface and the teams where I work look at ice and as you look at that
work look at ice and as you look at that
work look at ice and as you look at that ice back 800,000 years we’ve seen that
ice back 800,000 years we’ve seen that
ice back 800,000 years we’ve seen that temperature and co2 levels follow very
temperature and co2 levels follow very
temperature and co2 levels follow very closely in tandem with one another if we
closely in tandem with one another if we
closely in tandem with one another if we look into where we are today right now
look into where we are today right now
look into where we are today right now we’re at 400 parts per million we’ve
we’re at 400 parts per million we’ve
we’re at 400 parts per million we’ve never been at that level in the last
never been at that level in the last
never been at that level in the last three million years it’s a very
three million years it’s a very
three million years it’s a very different system we’re entering than we
different system we’re entering than we
different system we’re entering than we used to be but as a good doctor
used to be but as a good doctor
used to be but as a good doctor you also want to ask what is the
you also want to ask what is the
you also want to ask what is the prognosis of your patient where are you
prognosis of your patient where are you
prognosis of your patient where are you headed and that prognosis at this point
headed and that prognosis at this point
headed and that prognosis at this point looks somewhat tenuous we could be
looks somewhat tenuous we could be
looks somewhat tenuous we could be heading into a realm of 900 to 1100
heading into a realm of 900 to 1100
heading into a realm of 900 to 1100 parts per million which day is very
parts per million which day is very
parts per million which day is very difficult for the atmospheric sciences
difficult for the atmospheric sciences
difficult for the atmospheric sciences community to understand what that would
community to understand what that would
community to understand what that would look like and how dramatically different
look like and how dramatically different
look like and how dramatically different our system would be with that many much
our system would be with that many much
our system would be with that many much co2 in the atmosphere so a much
co2 in the atmosphere so a much
co2 in the atmosphere so a much different system how should we respond
different system how should we respond
different system how should we respond what should we as individuals agencies
what should we as individuals agencies
what should we as individuals agencies communities do so I go back to the two
communities do so I go back to the two
communities do so I go back to the two different boxes that dictate things and
different boxes that dictate things and
different boxes that dictate things and democracy in capitals and places we make
democracy in capitals and places we make
democracy in capitals and places we make decisions on what we should do we all
decisions on what we should do we all
decisions on what we should do we all have to look out for our children and
have to look out for our children and
have to look out for our children and with climate change it’s not so much
with climate change it’s not so much
with climate change it’s not so much looking out for ourselves as the next
looking out for ourselves as the next
looking out for ourselves as the next generation because inevitably our youth
generation because inevitably our youth
generation because inevitably our youth will end up inheriting the problems we
will end up inheriting the problems we
will end up inheriting the problems we create these are problems that don’t go
create these are problems that don’t go
create these are problems that don’t go back in the box
back in the box
back in the box co2 less than the atmosphere for
co2 less than the atmosphere for
co2 less than the atmosphere for centuries to millennia so there’s no way
centuries to millennia so there’s no way
centuries to millennia so there’s no way to Superfund site your way out of this
to Superfund site your way out of this
to Superfund site your way out of this the problem will be there be very
the problem will be there be very
the problem will be there be very difficult to deal with
difficult to deal with
difficult to deal with there’s also inertia in the system it
there’s also inertia in the system it
there’s also inertia in the system it takes 30 years for the warming to be
takes 30 years for the warming to be
takes 30 years for the warming to be fully fell so we are feeling the last
fully fell so we are feeling the last
fully fell so we are feeling the last effects of emissions for the 1980s
effects of emissions for the 1980s
effects of emissions for the 1980s so what will my daughter inherit what
so what will my daughter inherit what
so what will my daughter inherit what does the world look like for her we also
does the world look like for her we also
does the world look like for her we also have to realize there are a lot of
have to realize there are a lot of
have to realize there are a lot of people in the world that are much more
people in the world that are much more
people in the world that are much more vulnerable people that live in the
vulnerable people that live in the
vulnerable people that live in the United States and elsewhere working in
United States and elsewhere working in
United States and elsewhere working in Mumbai that some of them at live at sea
Mumbai that some of them at live at sea
Mumbai that some of them at live at sea level or the live in inland areas whose
level or the live in inland areas whose
level or the live in inland areas whose water tables being brought down each of
water tables being brought down each of
water tables being brought down each of them hope for a bright future for their
them hope for a bright future for their
them hope for a bright future for their children each of them aren’t a statistic
children each of them aren’t a statistic
children each of them aren’t a statistic on a table or a number on a graph but
on a table or a number on a graph but
on a table or a number on a graph but they all want bright futures and those
they all want bright futures and those
they all want bright futures and those bright futures are put in peril by
bright futures are put in peril by
bright futures are put in peril by decisions many of us are making halfway
decisions many of us are making halfway
decisions many of us are making halfway around the world so I wanted to close
around the world so I wanted to close
around the world so I wanted to close with a quote close quote by Isaac Asimov
with a quote close quote by Isaac Asimov
with a quote close quote by Isaac Asimov a quote that’s by somebody who’s a
a quote that’s by somebody who’s a
a quote that’s by somebody who’s a biochemist he happened to be a very
biochemist he happened to be a very
biochemist he happened to be a very famous science fiction writer the
famous science fiction writer the
famous science fiction writer the saddest aspect of life right now is that
saddest aspect of life right now is that
saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than
science gathers knowledge faster than
science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom and my hope is by
society gathers wisdom and my hope is by
society gathers wisdom and my hope is by sharing this information that many
sharing this information that many
sharing this information that many people in this room can take action in
people in this room can take action in
people in this room can take action in order to relegate this quote to the
order to relegate this quote to the
order to relegate this quote to the dustbin of history thank
”
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