Introduction

INTRODUCTION: Why Study Climate Change?       1-24-2014

 I recently signed up for a "MOOC" (Massive Open Online Course) from the  Exeter University on the subject of climate change.  The introductory material suggests that we share our reasons for wanting to take the course.  For me, it was this:

A recent article on the alternative news site, Truthdig, got me thinking even more than I usually do about climate change.  The title was "Are We Falling Off the Climate Precipice?"  Dated 12-13-2013, at this link:

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/are_we_falling_off_the_climate_precipice_20131219/

It is already clear that climate change is underway.  But I have wondered:  Where is the tipping point for unacceptable (or catastrophic, or runaway) climate change? 

 I certainly have previously read alarming arguments in any number of places.  This article and its associated links have brought some of those thoughts into sharp and uncomfortable focus.  Three of them are:  1) The most recent data coming in, including from a purpose-built satellite, shows trends that exceed projections.  2) Even considering the widespread agreement among climate scientists (97% is quoted often these days), scientists tend to want to be conservative and avoid sounding alarmist.  3) If you factor in the lack of political progress on setting and meeting climate-protecting goals, well... 

So there you have it.  Is it time to panic? Despair? Hope?  Even if when the course is done I may agree or disagree with its conclusions, I do seek a stronger foundation of scientific knowledge of climate-change processes.  Hopefully with more and more of us gaining a deeper knowledge of the subject, it will lend us more effectiveness toward whatever measures each of us undertakes toward dealing with the challenge.