Top Ten Things to Know About Global WarmingNumber Ten•There is a scientific consensus that human activities are very likely to affect global climateNumber Nine•There is some chance that, due to the uncertainties of complex models and the assumptions used to drive them, the consensus is wrong.Number Eight•Ignoring the potential implications of climate change is taking a big risk with a valuable asset.–The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommends that we avoid “dangerous human interference” with global climate systems.Number Seven•In order to avoid dangerous interference, IPCC estimates that we need to hold global emissions about steady.Number Six•Since the developing world would still like to develop, the developed world must make substantial emissions reductions.–IPCC says 70-80 percent of current levels must be reduced by 2040-2050.Important Data0.00E+001.00E+092.00E+093.00E+094.00E+095.00E+096.00E+097.00E+098.00E+09WorldUSAOECDAsiaPopulationTotal Carbon EmissionsMore Important Data0123456WorldUSAOECDAsiaPer Capita Carbon EmissionsNumber Five•The Kyoto Protocol will result in only modest emission reductions–The US has not yet ratified this treatyNumber Four•We have 30-40 years to transform industrialized society–Reducing emissions by 70-80 percent is a substantial challengeUS Greenhouse EmissionsCO283%CH49%N2O6%HFCs, PFCs, SF62%US CO2 EmissionsFossil Fuel97%Everything Else3%US Fossil Fuel CO2 EmissionsElectricity Generation40%Transportation32%Industrial17%Residential7%Commercial4%Number Three•We already have technologies that can help us on the way–Efficiency–Renewable Energy–Coal-gasification with carbon sequestrationNumber Two•The behavioral challenges are much more daunting than the technological ones.Number One•Climate change isn’t likely to affect our generation.•We need to make changes for subsequent generations.