Crazy Weather, Kooky Climate, Carbon Dioxide: What is Going on? By Dr Maureen Raymo

The Earth is running a fever.  The ongoing pollution of our atmosphere with the invisible, odorless gases carbon dioxide and methane are trapping heat at the Earth’s surface and causing temperatures to rise.  The polar regions are warming fastest of all, and melting ice sheets are causing sea levels to rise around the globe.  In this talk, I will review evidence for climate change, discuss how climate affects extreme weather events, and share thoughts on how the collective actions of individuals, families, communities, and governments will shape our quality of life in the 21^st century.

Maureen Raymo, a Lyme resident, is a scientist who studies how Earth’s climate and sea level have changed over millions of years. Her research has helped put today’s climate change in perspective—and shows why understanding the past matters for decisions we make now.  She is committed to bridging the gap between science and everyday life through public education; she is a founding dean of the Columbia University Climate School and was the founding Director of the Lamont-Doherty Hudson River Field Station, a community education center on the Hudson River in Piermont NY.  Through her work, Raymo helps connect scientific research with the communities, voters, and decision-makers shaping our climate and our children’s future.