National Center for Atmospheric Research
Senior Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research; Member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize
PROFILE
Kevin Trenberth
Guest
FROM Kevin Trenberth
To the Point
Southern Louisiana: Under Water Again... Massive flooding that began last week near Baton Rouge is now being compared to Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005. The Red Cross calls this America’s worst natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey four years ago. This time, there was no advance warning, but the victims are in for long-term suffering—especially low-income people in vulnerable neighborhoods. Along with multiple fires in California after years of drought, it’s one of many signals we’re already living with climate change from global warming.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Consequences of Climate Change and the Cost of Denial July was America’s hottest month since 1895, and the past year was the hottest ever recorded. Temperatures, droughts, ice-sheet meltings and floods are setting records all over the world. Recent polls show renewed concern about climate change among American voters. Even some oil companies have given lip service to the need to develop alternatives to fossil fuels. But, so far, that’s not an issue in this year’s political campaigns. We’ll hear the numbers, sample public attitudes and ask about the chances of action before it’s too late.
To the Point
The Consequences of Climate Change and the Cost of Denial July was America’s hottest month since 1895, and the past year was the hottest ever recorded. Temperatures, droughts, ice-sheet meltings and floods are setting records all over the world. Recent polls show renewed concern about climate change among American voters. Even some oil companies have given lip service to the need to develop alternatives to fossil fuels. But, so far, that’s not an issue in this year’s political campaigns. We’ll hear the numbers, sample public attitudes and ask about the chances of action before it’s too late.
To the Point
Climate Change: Is the US Fiddling while It Burns? Record-high temperatures were recorded in at least 168 US cities yesterday, and today is expected to get even hotter. Over 130 million Americans are living under excessive heat warnings. That crippling heat wave may or may not be attributable to global warming but, in the past month, a series of reports predict global climate change will have profound consequences for people's livelihoods, health and security. What does the latest data tell us? What effects are we experiencing now and what can we expect in the near future? Perhaps, most importantly, how can we deal wisely with the growing threat of climate change in a time of partisan political gridlock and economic distress?
Which Way, L.A.?
Copenhagen, Climate Change and Stolen E-Mails As the Copenhagen conference got under way today, the UN panel on climate change promised to investigate claims that scientists at the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit manipulated data to support the theory that global warming is man-made.
To the Point
Copenhagen, Climate Change and Stolen E-Mails The UN's global warming summit in Copenhagen opened today amidst new attacks on the basic science of Climate Change. Differences over economics, politics and technology already led some 200 nations to abandon hopes for a binding treaty this year. Now, stolen e-mails between climate researchers are being used to cast doubt on the urgency of taking steps to curtail greenhouse gases. Have scientists manipulated information? Are dissenters being silenced? Instead of debating over reducing emissions, would a crash program for alternative sources of energy be a cheaper, faster way to slow global warming?
Recommended
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.