In 2008 Jim Hansen one of the world's leading climatologists said that we had but four years to act on climate change. Pretty heavy stuff especially from a leading world scientist. Where's the caveats, the objectivity?
A clue is that, according to Robin McKie (Observer science editor),on Hansen's office wall which is devoid of any other personal matter are ten A4 size pictures of his grandchildren, Sophie, Connor and Jake.
Over the past couple of years doubts have been cast on computer predictivity regarding the rapidity of global warming and its effects. Computer modelling is of course not an exact science. The response to this is that the uncertainties make things really scary. (Take a look at BBC's Richard Blake's blog) We could be underestimating. So it partially comes down to how cautious should we be - how far do we go?
It was interesting looking at the public inquiry report on the second mersey crossing in this respect. Climate change as an issue in its own right as the inspectors report suggests currently is not a consideration in major infrastructure projects. This is obviously partly related to the inexactness of climate science in relation to global warming. This is on the surface a reasonable response but we are dealing with a not so straight forward phenomenon.
The comment from Jim Hansen back in 2008 was,"We have only four years left to act on climate change - America has to lead". One year left then - with Obamas problems and the lack of significant progress at the Cancun talks - a pretty tall order.
For the sake of our Sophies, Connors and Jakes we mustn't put this issue on the backburner.
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