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York College chemistry professors Keith Peterman and Greg Foy follow the science and global politics of the evolving climate change story.-
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Author Archives: Keith Peterman
Regan’s Button: One generation’s failure transfers responsibility to youth
The course I taught in my York College classroom today is called Chemistry and Society—meaning that we investigate chemistry concepts as they relate to our global society. The students in this course are pursuing fields of study that span the entire … Continue reading
Posted in climate change, COP17, international relations, politics, science
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Lyme disease, skunks, and climate change
April brings new life. I love watching trees slowly awaken from their winter dormancy—the early color of redbuds followed by the increasing intensity of green hue painting roadside forests. But, everything seems to have happened much earlier this year. It’s … Continue reading
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Extreme Climate and Weather Disasters: managing the risks
I’ve been in San Diego for the past five days attending the national meeting of the American Chemical Society. I sure didn’t pack right for this week in southern California. San Diego is normally blessed with a warm, sunny climate, … Continue reading
Posted in climate change, climate disaster, economics, extreme weather, science
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COP17 and the Durban Platform; outcomes
The massive steam-powered locomotive chugs down the track full-speed towing carloads of passengers behind. The stoker in the engine shovels scoop after scoop of coal into the boiler. It is hard anthracite coal – the finest fuel that can be … Continue reading
Closing plenary suspended; outcomes of COP17 unknown
We waited in the plenary hall last evening until 10 p.m. waiting for the outcome of COP17. Some official procedural business took place. It was then announced that the closing plenary session was suspended until further notice. Negotiators worked late … Continue reading
Posted in climate change, COP17, politics
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I Love KP
As I walked toward the entrance of the conference center this morning, I was greeted by a group of young people caroling, but this was no holiday carol. It was a pleading carol, one asking for our political leaders – … Continue reading
Analysis of COP17 negotiations to date
Here is where we stand as we near the finality of this critical climate conference. On mitigation, the science says that we need to reduce our emissions – there is no time-reserve, i.e. pushing it off to some future date … Continue reading
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Civil society leaders critical of U.S.
At a COP17 press conference earlier today in Durban, South Africa, top leaders of NGO’s made some powerful, unflattering statements about U.S. obstuctionism. Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director, Greenpeace International, said: “On Saturday, in Durban, the US eviscerated draft language on mitigation … Continue reading
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Zulu music
I awoke at 5:00am this morning to the brightness of day leaking around the curtains in our room. We are less than three weeks from the longest day of the year here in the southern hemisphere – Durban’s December 4 … Continue reading
There’s an Elephant in the Room: time for climate action is now
African proverb: “A man who is trampled to death by an elephant is a man who is blind and deaf.” Here in Africa, there is a giant bull elephant in the room trumpeting loudly – global carbon dioxide emissions must … Continue reading
