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Communicating uncertainty in projections/estimates. “ if we were to stop emitting greenhouse gases the average global temperature would still increase by 0.5 degrees” Fahrenheit By when? “…average global temperature is still estimated to increase by….”.
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Communicating uncertainty in projections/estimates • “if we were to stop emitting greenhouse gases the average global temperature would still increase by 0.5 degrees” • Fahrenheit • By when? • “…average global temperature is still estimated to increase by….”
Attribution of changes in average temperature and extreme events • Broadly observed: • Elevated GHG concentrations are causing an increase in global average temperature. • Elevated GHG concentrations are causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather. • Narrowly observed • Elevated GHG concentrations caused the 2011 Texas drought and heat wave. • Elevated GHG concentrations increased the likelihood or odds of an event like the 2011 Texas drought and heat wave. • Also: what was the relevance of 2011 being a La Nina year?
Should we prioritize adaptation or mitigation? • What determines the relative returns to mitigation and adaptation? • Will this depend on the level of U.S. mitigation? • Will this depend on the level of global mitigation?