Lecture by Professor Tim Palmer FRS Views about climate change can be very polarised. For some, it spells inevitable catastrophe. For others it is a massive hoax. However, in between these extremes a third “lukewarm” perspective has emerged. In this approach, the basic science of the greenhouse effect is accepted, but it is asserted that this implies only a modest warming of the planet, unimportant compared with other problems facing humanity. Professor Palmer will emphasise the notion of risk and probability, in contrast with certainty and determinism, in scientific studies of climate change. With some emphasis on the lukewarmist perspective, he will explain why none of the three perspectives above is consistent with the risk-based scientific consensus about climate change. In the talk Professor Palmer will discuss why uncertainty about future climate need not itself be a reason for inaction. The lecture was recorded on March 6 2017 at the Royal Society. For more events like this, see our schedule - ow.ly/KhTi306gTN1

Be the first to comment