Boulder, CO, USA – At a meeting of the Council held on 17 April 2010, The Geological Society of America approved a consensus statement on climate change science.
"Decades of scientific research have shown that climate can change from both natural and anthropogenic causes. The Geological Society of America (GSA) concurs with assessments by the National Academies of Science (2005), the National Research Council (2006), and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) that global climate has warmed and that human activities (mainly greenhouse-gas emissions) account for most of the warming since the middle 1900s. If current trends continue, the projected increase in global temperature by the end of the twenty-first century will result in large impacts on humans and other species. Addressing the challenges posed by climate change will require a combination of adaptation to the changes that are likely to occur and global reductions of CO2 emissions from anthropogenic sources."
Recommendations in the statement relate to the need for effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, for comprehensive planning to address challenges posed by future climate change, and research to improve understanding of climate change effects.
GSA president Jean Bahr said, "I appreciate the efforts of our volunteer members to develop a clear statement that reflects GSA's commitment to 'supporting the application of geoscience knowledge and insight to human needs, aspirations, and Earth stewardship.' "
Read the entire position statement at http://www.geosociety.org/positions/pos10_climate.pdf.
For assistance or additional contact information, please contact Christa Stratton, GSA Director of Communications, at the address above.
The Geological Society of America, founded in 1888, is a scientific society with more than 22,000 members from academia, government, and industry in more than 95 countries. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of its members and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, GSA encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and supports all levels of earth science education.