Professor Jim Hansen, one of the most acclaimed NASA expert on climate change, says that preventing the most harmful consequences of climate change caused by man is “a huge moral issue”, as important as the abolition of slavery.
Hansen claims to bequeath future generations devastating and expensive consequences of climate change is an act of injustice to future generations.
Next week, Professor Hansen will be awarded the prestigious Edinburgh Medal in recognition of his merits in advancing science. Hansen will argue in his acceptance speech for the taxation of global carbon emissions.
“With our current behavior make it possible for future generations to inherit a climate that can spiral out of control mankind. It is an emergency situation: we can see what is on the horizon, effects on ecosystems over decades, the ocean level and the rate of species extinction, “said Hansen. The researcher says that mankind will face repeatedly with natural disasters affecting large areas of the planet.
Hansen argues that current generations have a moral duty to their children and grandchildren and that should be taken quickly. “Our parents did not know they are a source of problems for future generations, but we no longer afford to pretend that we do not know. Science is crystal clear. Understand the carbon cycle, we know that carbon dioxide it emits into the air will remain at the surface for millennia. Earth History tells us that there is a limit carbon emissions, once exceeded, bring devastating consequences for future generations. We can not pretend that we know that, “Hansen argues.
The researcher explains that its proposal to implement a global tax on carbon emissions is based on the most recent analyzes of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and the effects of this gas on global temperatures and climate. In a paper signed by 17 other experts, Hansen describes the urgent needs an immediate reduction of CO2 emissions by 6% and a massive increase forest cover to avoid catastrophic climate change by the end of this century.
“This problem can be solved by individual changes, we need increased cost of carbon emissions worldwide. We can not just say “climate change is a problem” and then let it be borne by politicians. It is obvious that they are under influence of the fossil fuel industry and the solutions they present are not really solutions. This is the truth, “Hansen concluded.
Source: The Guardian
