Thread by @DrKateMarvel

What I’m going to tell Congress today: a thread

We’ve understood the physics of greenhouse gases since the 1820s, had experimental proof since the 1860s, and known ⬆️ CO2 = ⬆️ temperature since 1896
rsc.org/images/Arrheni…

We know climate is influenced by the sun, volcanoes, Earth’s orbit, and natural variability. None of these can explain the long-term warming trend
bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-…

“The climate’s changed before” doesn’t mean humans aren’t responsible for observed changes. This is like telling a detective on the hunt for a serial killer that “people die of natural causes”
blogs.scientificamerican.com/hot-planet/ope…

The last time CO2 levels were this high, humans didn’t exist and sea levels were up to 75 feet higher
thefosterlab.org/blog/2019/5/14…

How much of global warming are humans causing? ALL OF IT.
carbonbrief.org/analysis-why-s…

Climate change is not just a problem for future generations: it’s already here. Observations from space & ground, of ocean, ice, land, atmos all add up to a consistent picture of change
ipcc.ch/site/assets/up…

We’re already experiencing droughts, downpours, and heat waves linked to climate change
ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams/…

If emissions of greenhouse gases continue to increase, we can expect temperature to rise by up to 10F, global sea levels to rise up to 4’ or more, extreme weather to intensify, damage to property and infrastructure
nca2018.globalchange.gov

The science is clear: there is no status quo. Change is coming one way or another. But the fact we understand what’s causing climate change gives us power. We can choose the change we experience.

We can choose to continue increasing emissions, which the science says will lead to expensive, disruptive, dangerous change. OR...

We can choose to take charge and rapidly cut emissions. We have a precious, wonderful, rare opportunity to create the future we want.