Past Events
October 16, 2009
Speaker: Mark Merrifield, University of Hawaii. Abstract: ide gauge data are used to estimate trends in global sea level for the period 1955 to 2007. Linear trends over 15-year segments are computed for each tide gauge record, averaged over latitude bands, and combined to form an area-weighted global mean trend. The uncertainty of the global trend is specified as a sampling error plus a random vertical land motion component, but land motion corrections do not change the results.
October 14, 2009
Speaker: Marko Scholze, University of Bristol. Abstract: Atmospheric inversion studies have become an important tool for identifying terrestrial sources and sinks of CO2 at the interannual time scale. Such traditional top-down studies have so far delivered important insights into the atmosphere-biosphere and atmosphere-ocean CO2 exchanges fluxes. However, they suffer from the inverse problem being seriously under determined and they do not have any prognostic power, i.e. they cannot predict the evolution of future CO2 fluxes.
October 11, 2009
Joint Program scientists will demonstrate the Greenhouse Gamble and answer questions about global climate change during an interactive presentation where visitors will get a chance to spin the wheel. News headlines about climate change often mention the predictions of climate models. Where do these models come from, and what are their strengths and weaknesses? How do current climate trends compare with climate events throughout Earth's geologic history? And, how will climate change affect us?
October 07, 2009
Speaker: Dr. Sandeep Verma, Principal Research Scientist, Schlumberger Doll Research. Abstract: It is generally well accepted that increase in emission of anthropogenic carbon dioxide is a leading cause of global warming. Generation of electrical power is responsible for a roughly 40% of these emissions. In order to significantly reduce emission of anthropogenic CO2, a first order solution is to capture it from stationary power plants and inject it into geologic formations several thousand feet under the earth's surface — a process termed sequestration.
October 07, 2009
Speaker: Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Abstract: Current science tells us that we must act now in order to prevent the worst impacts of global warming. The international community, meanwhile, is meeting this December in Copenhagen to negotiate a new climate regime. Is the United States moving fast enough to meet these deadlines? Will we pass a clean energy and climate law in time to emerge as a leader at the international talks?
October 07, 2009
Speaker: Professor Xu Kuangdi, President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, former mayor of Shanghai City (1995-2001), and former vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The MIT China Forum is part of a broader MIT effort to look at new ways of fostering ties with China. The Forum was created by the MIT-Greater China Strategy Group, which is charged with identifying new initiatives and collaborations with China over the next 20 years.