He is associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Department of Geography at UCLA, the University of California, Los Angeles and will be delivering a lecture, 'Climate Change: Evidence, Impact, and Innovation', at a forum in Palma on June 10.
The ever-increasing attention paid to the likes of record temperatures and droughts, he suggests, is the consequence of a combination of factors. "We have technology that allows us to examine meteorology, the atmosphere, and the ocean with a magnifying glass. We're capturing phenomena we couldn't see before. We measure with more precision and can better quantify the changes taking place, and the data are compelling.
"Evidence of climate change is simply measurement. We measure, compare, and see how the climate has changed. Climatologists use 30-year periods as a reference. Before, we were told: 'You're using data from 1970 to 2000.' Now, we also include data from this century, current data that no longer raise so many doubts. For some, the evidence is still debatable. A wave of denialism has emerged. I don't understand why there's so much impetus to deny. I see huge scientific gaps in their arguments. And science is what should prevail, above all else."
In dealing with deniers on social media, he says he has always been polite. "Networks are very different. The one I use most is LinkedIn, where I publish, debate and can speak. On others, I've received death threats. If someone insults, they should be removed. But if it's someone who intends to debate, I share links to articles that explain the point in question. Not all of us are experts in everything, and that's why it's essential to refer to experts."
Deniers in politics are gaining greater prominence, none more so than Donald Trump. "Decisions like those Trump has made in the US are a big problem; it's one of the most polluting countries and the one with the greatest capacity to set an example. The problem is that those who can make a difference don't consider it important enough. We can't wait four to eight years in the current situation. Decisions must be made now, and they must be brave.
"There are two keywords: mitigation and adaptation. The key right now is adaptation, because mitigation isn't happening at the necessary pace. We're already experiencing the impact. The storm and floods in Valencia, for example, and these situations can be repeated. Humans will adapt to extreme heat waves, floods, more powerful hurricanes, but we can try to prevent them from happening so frequently.
"Regarding energy, we need alternatives. Society increasingly wants more, and it's difficult to tell someone: 'It's not your turn.' It's the same old issue, but now it's an urgent need. It requires a major social and energy transformation. If we continue at this rate, the next 20 to 30 years will be very difficult: we won't have the necessary adaptation, but we will have the consequences.
"Spain is a particularly vulnerable country, and the Mediterranean region even more so. You've noticed it in Mallorca: increasingly torrid and tropical summers. There's been rainfall like Valencia or Mallorca seven years ago. We are a country moving towards desertification with soil degradation. The Mediterranean is the sea that is warming the most in the world. Heat is already one of the main causes of death related to extreme weather, and it will become increasingly common. This is also very serious for Spain because the economy depends heavily on tourism. There are months that could be lost from the calendar. We are vulnerable, and the impact on agriculture will also be enormous.
"There are solutions. We know the most tangible one: energy transformation. Despite the 'blackout' debate, renewable energy can be a fundamental solution. Anything that reduces emissions is key. Then there are alternatives that seem like science fiction: geoengineering, capturing CO2 from the atmosphere. These will grow in the coming decades. Even nuclear energy is beginning to have alternatives, such as thorium instead of uranium. We also have to look for alternatives to renewables that don't take 15 years to implement or aren't so expensive."
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WildwoodI don't know about the only band that mattered but they were one of the best.
Every time you drive the Tramuntana from Andratx to Pollença you are looking at over 4 trillion tonnes of limestone which is 45% CO2, and that used to be, 200 million years ago, guess where? In the atmosphere and dissolved in the oceans. To put that in perspective, there are only 3½ trillion tonnes in the entire atmosphere today.
BTW, I just remembered, scientist experts agreed that The Clash were the only band that mattered. You see, in some cases, they get it right!
So then, we can surmise that you are leading the charge to save the planet, only eating raw food, the wife doesnt use petro-chemical base cosmetics but natural ones like mud and bear grease, ride a bicycle to work, dont have any cheap chinese plastic crap in your home, read by candlelight, power tools are driven by systems of pulleys and magnets, air-condition your home in sweltering summer the natural way - by sweating, and so on? Excellent. Scientist experts agreed that giving thalidomide to pregnant women was a good idea - until it wasnt. Scientist experts agreed that electrons orbit the atomic nucleus of the atom - until they didnt. Scientist experts agree that dark matter exists - because if it doesnt then their math dont work. There a far more incorrect hypothesis about how the World/Universe works than there are correct ones. "It can be proved that most claimed research findings are false..." Ioannidis/Stanford. To be fair, scientists are not often wrong because they are clumsy, dishonest, or lazy, but because the questions they ask are difficult ones, and truth is rare and elusive. Although, we can find a multitude of examples of those less than desirable traits cited throughout modern science.
I tend to hibernate during the very hot periods. Only going out in the cooler periods for meals and supply's. The Tourists like to fry on the Beach, like sausages on a Plancha. If it rains the Tourists fill up the over loaded Buses. Go to Palma, Caves of Drach, Manacor, Markets etc.
Who needs scientists, experts and facts when you can watch some unqualified nut job on YouTube (usually financed by the oil industry) who'll tell you that global warming has nothing to do with fossil fuels, the meat industry etc