Third Thursday "Meet a Scientist": Climate Change

What Everyone Should

Know About

Climate Change

Don Ellingson

Professor of Meterology

Western Oregon University

Climate hashttp://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/0/8/8/event_213285192.jpeg changed in the past and is changing now - naturally . However, human causes are currently overwhelming the natural causes. The fact that climate warmed significantly in the 20th century is unequivocal. The projections that climate will warm even more in the 21st century are good science and the best forecasts we can make, but as an old weather forecaster, I fully realize our projections are uncertain. We should ask questions:

• What if it only warms half as fast as projected?

• What if if warms twice as fast?

• What if something weird happens that we don't even think of?