20th- and 21st-Century Climate Change: Computer Modeling, Societal Impacts, and Environmental Justice - sponsored by Juniper Networks & Qwest Communications

The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report has convinced most climate scientists that humankind is changing the earth's climate. A review of recently observed 20th-century climate change will be presented and compared with climate model simulations, which will be described and extended into this century and beyond. If we shift globally from a fossil fuel–based energy strategy to other sources, computer simulations can show future climate change. Finally, scientific uncertainties and societal impacts will be discussed, along with an analysis of policy options including possibly geoengineering the climate system. The issue of environmental justice will also be addressed.