Date
|
Item
|
Notes
|
| Nov 07 | www.apollo-gaia.org |
Launch of Apollo-Gaia project, with web-site
containing the Background and Development of the Project, and
links to pages containing access to part of 'Planet Earth We Have A Problem'. |
BigPicture.TV Lecture Series
This BigPicture.TV set of video recordings covers the key aspects of Climate Dynamics.
It was originally recorded in February 2007. The illustrated text can also be accessed as html presentation and
pdf. |
| July 07 | Presentation 1: Climate Feedback |
This video presentation explains how the future of our climate will be affected by
feedback mechanisms that may amplify global warming. Of the 20 feedback mechanisms that have
been identified, this describes the most significant - the Albedo Effect (or the way in which ice
reflects solar radiation back into the atmosphere); water (for instance how water vapour
amplifies the greenhouse effect); and why the acidification of the world's oceans can hamper
the absorption of carbon dioxide. |
| July 07 | Presentation 2: Climate Uncovered
Part 1
Part 2 |
This two part-series examines the components of our climate system. The carbon
cycle, relating to the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, is of fundamental importance, but there are
other critical factors driving climate change, including the roles that the oceans and vegetation play. |
| July 07 | Presentation 3: Feedback Dynamics
Part 1
Part 2 |
There are around 20 feedback mechanisms that could potentially accelerate climate change.
This two-part series examines three main categories of feedback. The best known of these is the
the carbon cycle feedback, driving an atmospheric increase in CO2. Hybrid
feedbacks constitute a second category and are driven by a combination of increased
CO2 levels and higher temperatures. The third feedback category is purely temperature-driven. |
| July 07 | Presentation 4: Tipping Points and Critical Thresholds |
The climate cycle fluctuates between alternating ice and warm ages. However, unprecedented levels
of greenhouse gas concentrations now threaten to distort historic patterns. Amplifying feedbacks
may trigger a tipping point that accelerates global warming, threatening an era of climate chaos.
Beyond such a point our efforts to stem the tide of climate change may prove ineffectual. | |
| June 07 |
Climate Stabilisation |
Positive feedbacks are now accelerating global warming and threatening to send it out of
control. Stabilisation of the Climate in this complex system with long time delays now
requires a strategic intervention that turns off the heat before it is too late (i.e. reduces
"radiative forcing" to zero). This paper highlights the scale of the task ahead. |
| June 07 |
Address to the Club of Rome, October 2005 |
This paper, delivered in October 2005, outlines the current context of climate change and introduces the
work on Feedback Dynamics. The imperative of mobilising effective action changes the
role of science from pure information provision to applied change agency. Recognition of the
"State of Global Emergency" leads into an outline agenda of the scientific
response. This section, the origins of the "Apollo-Gaia Project", also raises
the critical question concerning an appropriate institutional locus. The address
concludes with a brief reflection on the psycho-dynamics of social change.
|
| Mar 07 | The Climate Escalator
(YouTube mini-presentation) |
A vivid parabolic illustration of feedback dynamics and the acceleration of climate
change.
|
| Mar 07 | Critique of IPCC Report &
Introduction to Apollo-Gaia
(YouTube mini-presentation) |
Introduces evidence of the 'dumbing down' of the text of the Summary for Policy Makers of
the current IPCC Report, followed by an outline of the need for
a global response (the Apollo-Gaia Project). |
| Mar 07 |
Political Corruption of the IPCC Report? |
Analysis of changes in the Final Text of the "Summary for Policy Makers"
of the Fourth Assessment Report, WG1: The Physical Science Basis, throws light on the
direction in which political and economic interests have influenced the presented scientific
material.
|
| Mar 07 |
Feedback Dynamics and the Acceleration of Climate Change |
A condensed update of current scientific analysis.
|
| Feb 07 | Climate Sensitivity: A
Whole-Earth Dynamic Approach |
This brief working paper moves away from the world of computer modelling to examine the Vostok
ice-core data for information that could throw new light on the issue of
climate sensitivity. If the sensitivity figures indicated in this study of
the Vostok data can be trusted, we face an urgent and radical re-evaluation of
the current strategic response to global warming.
|
| Dec 06 | Response to Dr. Malte Meinshausen
whose work is currently being used as a foundation for the European response to climate change. |
The task faced by the global community is now
the avoidance of catastrophic climate change, let alone dangerous climate
change. Meinshausen severs the
relationship between the goal of relating to the fundamental realities of the
global climate and what he describes as "policy-goals" - determined by
political, economic and other vested interests - without recourse to the
fundamental science. Even within the
terms of reference of the attempt to achieve "policy-goals" Meinshausen's
approach is fatally flawed. The
realistic problems we face in the mitigation of dangerous and catastrophic
climate change are far too important to allow this kind of work to be used as a
basis for policy formulation and strategic action, whether at national,
European, G8 or global levels.
|
| Dec 06 | Update to David Wasdell bio-note |
|
| Nov 06 | Apollo-Gaia Project |
Outline of the Apollo-Gaia Project. Its target is the stabilisation of the climate of "Gaia", the
whole-earth system. Presented at the Washington Summit on Climate Stabilisation and subsequently as
part of the Aurelio Peccei lecture to the European Chapter of the Club of Rome in Brussels.
|
| Nov 06 | Climate Change navigation page |
New navigation page giving access to Beyond the Tipping Point, The Feedback Crisis in Climate Change,
Global Warning, Feedback Dynamics Model, and the
Apollo-Gaia Project pages
|
| Oct 06 | Beyond the
Tipping Point: Towards the Anthropocene Extinction Event |
Positive Feedback and the Acceleration of Climate Change:
further revision in preparation for the Washington Summit on Climate Stabilisation.
|
| July 06 | Beyond the
Tipping Point: Towards the Anthropocene Extinction Event |
Positive Feedback and the Acceleration of Climate Change presentation made to
The Foundation for the Future, Humanity 3000 Workshop, Seattle, April 2006, updated and
revised and presented to the Campaign Against Climate Change, June 2006, and the
UBS Seminar on land usage, July 2006.
|
| Apr. 06 | Feedback Dynamics Project |
Details of the Project convened in order to establish a global analysis and modelling
capacity, to test the conceptual climate feedback model, to quantify the complex feedback
system and to determine the time-frame of its behaviour. Replaced by the Apollo-Gaia Project - see above.
|
| Mar. 06 | Feedback Model |
Addition of html version of the underlying conceptual model behind 'The Feedback
Crisis in Climate Change', accessible from various pages within the 'Feedback Crisis' paper.
|
| Jan. 06 | Of Clarity and Climate Change |
This review of James Lovelock's new book "The Revenge of Gaia" highlights the
fundamental scientific analysis of the dynamics of climate change that lies at
the heart of the book. Lovelock's weakness in
the field of social science is identified as the source of his inappropriate
despair and the book is hailed as a clarion call to effective collective
action.
|
| Jan. 06 | Feedback Model |
Addition of PowerPoint Presentation of the underlying conceptual model behind 'The Feedback
Crisis in Climate Change', accessible from various pages within the 'Feedback Crisis' paper.
|
| Jan. 06 | Active Membership |
Revised information on the three levels of involvement in the Meridian Programme.
|
| Jan. 06 | Associate Membership of the Meridian Programme |
Revised information on the role of an Associate.
|
| Jan. 06 | Become an Associate
|
Major revision and simplification of facilities for Associate Registration.
|
| Jan. 06 | Support Meridian |
Added to home page of the site, allowing easy access for new Associates and potential donors.
|
| Jan. 06 | What's New (this feature) |
Added to home page of the site.
|
| Dec. 05 | The Feedback Crisis in
Climate Change |
Meridian Report on positive feedback mechanisms threatening runaway climate
change. Current revision complete with computer graphics and appendices
dealing with future research agenda and strategic implications.
|
| June 05 | Global Warning |
Three waves of change threaten global civilisation. Presented at a
seminar in University College, London |