I think that Bill McKibben has constructed a well-crafted article supported with sound scientific evidence to back up his claims. As the title of the article implies, McKibben dives deep into three horrific numbers that prove severe climate change is just around the corner and somewhat impossible to stop now. The first number he discusses from the Copenhagen Accord is 2 C which is the agreed temperature that global warming should be below. But, as he describes in latter paragraphs, such a dramatic temperature increase would be much more devastating. The second number he talks about, 565 gigatons, describes the estimated amount of carbon monoxide that humans will release into the atmosphere and still has a chance at the average temperature still
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First, he references the work of The Carbon Tracker Initiative, a highly respected and credible non-profit think tank lead by James Leaton that advises companies on investmentments based on the reality of climate change. Their numbers come directly from governmental agencies and company reports, so while their estimated data of 2,795 gigatons is not perfectly accurate, it is very close. Secondly, in reference to the first number of 2 C, he quotes the NASA scientist, James Hansen, “‘The target that has been talked about in international negotiations for two degrees of warming is actually a prescription for long - term disaster.’” James Hansen if one of the world’s most renowned climate scientist who works for a world respected agency, NASA. Though the opinion of Hansen in itself is not scientific, the expertise of Hansen is not debated so we must take his personal opinions regarding the issue after years of studying climate with some weight. Furthermore, this quote adds to the ethos of McKibben's argument. Finally, to cement his claims with scientific proof, he cites the finding of the International Energy Agency that CO2 emissions rose 31.6 gigatons, up 3.2 percent from the prior
First, he references the work of The Carbon Tracker Initiative, a highly respected and credible non-profit think tank lead by James Leaton that advises companies on investmentments based on the reality of climate change. Their numbers come directly from governmental agencies and company reports, so while their estimated data of 2,795 gigatons is not perfectly accurate, it is very close. Secondly, in reference to the first number of 2 C, he quotes the NASA scientist, James Hansen, “‘The target that has been talked about in international negotiations for two degrees of warming is actually a prescription for long - term disaster.’” James Hansen if one of the world’s most renowned climate scientist who works for a world respected agency, NASA. Though the opinion of Hansen in itself is not scientific, the expertise of Hansen is not debated so we must take his personal opinions regarding the issue after years of studying climate with some weight. Furthermore, this quote adds to the ethos of McKibben's argument. Finally, to cement his claims with scientific proof, he cites the finding of the International Energy Agency that CO2 emissions rose 31.6 gigatons, up 3.2 percent from the prior