APS News

January 2008 (Volume 17, Number 1)

Council Calls for Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions

At its November meeting, APS Council passed a statement on global warming that calls for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The statement also calls for more research to better understand the effects of human activity on the climate. The complete text of the statement follows.

Emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are changing the atmosphere in ways that affect the Earth’s climate. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide as well as methane, nitrous oxide and other gases. They are emitted from fossil fuel combustion and a range of industrial and agricultural processes.

The evidence is incontrovertible: Global warming is occurring. If no mitigating actions are taken, significant disruptions in the Earth’s physical and ecological systems, social systems, security and human health are likely to occur. We must reduce emissions of greenhouse gases beginning now.

Because the complexity of the climate makes accurate prediction difficult, the APS urges an enhanced effort to understand the effects of human activity on the Earth’s climate, and to provide the technological options for meeting the climate challenge in the near and longer terms. The APS also urges governments, universities, national laboratories and its membership to support policies and actions that will reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

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Editor: Alan Chodos
Contributing Editor: Jennifer Ouellette
Staff Writer: Ernie Tretkoff

January 2008 (Volume 17, Number 1)

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Articles in this Issue
APS April Meeting Convenes in St. Louis
APS Launches New Prize for Industrial Applications of Physics
Turning 50, PRL Plans a Banner Year
Panel Hears Pros and Cons of Open Access Publishing
Council Calls for Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Bienenstock Highlights Funding, Education and Journal Viability
ITER, ITER, Everywhere at 2007 DPP Meeting
Workshop Brings Inspiration, Information to New Faculty
Salt Lake City Hosts 2007 DFD Meeting
Meeting Briefs
Council Remembers Wolfgang Panofsky
Members in the Media
This Month in Physics History
Washington Dispatch
International News
Letters
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