Wednesday, December 22, 2010

A Scientist, His Work and a Climate Reckoning - NYTimes.com

The concluding paragraphs from an extensive update about the world’s most important data analysis domain

On Dec. 11, another round of international climate negotiations, sponsored by the United Nations, concluded in Cancún. As they have for 18 years running, the gathered nations pledged renewed efforts. But they failed to agree on any binding emission targets.

Late at night, as the delegates were wrapping up in Mexico, the machines atop the volcano in the middle of the Pacific Ocean issued their own silent verdict on the world’s efforts.

At midnight Mauna Loa time, the carbon dioxide level hit 390 — and rising.

A Scientist, His Work and a Climate Reckoning - NYTimes.com

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