Americans and Climate Change: Closing the Gap Between Science and Action

Daniel R. Abbasi

Language: English

Published: Feb 14, 2006

Description:

From the Back Cover

"The Conference brought together the best and the brightest from key sectors to listen, learn and work together. Most importantly, it gave us an opportunity to come up with clear and specific action for taking on one of the biggest challenges of our time." James E. Rogers, Chairman and CEO, Cinergy Corp.

"A major recommendation to emerge from the breakthrough dialogue described here is that global warming must now be viewed fundamentally as a moral and spiritual issue. This will change the nature of the debate, and draw in believers of all faiths, particularly evangelical Christians, who have heretofore regarded it as an "environmental" matter only. The 86 leaders who recently signed the "Evangelical Climate Initiative" agree with this basic assumption. That some religious leaders disagree only makes this report more significant. If one reads and studies these pages, the inescapable conclusion is that we must all come together as Americans to act in responsible ways to solve this crisis." Reverend Richard Cizik, Vice President of Government Affairs, National Association of Evangelicals

"This conference, unlike most, was able to combine both the clarification of a macro challenge and the key action steps needed to help resolve that challenge with its complex overlay of political, scientific, and attitudinal dimensions. One thing stands out: the stakes on climate change are simply too high for us to continue approaching it as a partisan issue. Republicans and Democrats need to get together on this as Americans above all. Read this insightful report and let’s get started." Richard B. Wirthlin, Chief Strategist to President Ronald Reagan; Founder, Wirthlin Worldwide

"The world desperately needs to know what we scientists are learning from our research endeavors. We can no longer afford to talk principally to each other, in a language understandable only to us. This illuminating report arose from a path-breaking conference and outlines concrete steps that will help scientists better explain the real-life implications of our research on climate change to decision-makers and the public so that needed action can be taken — and not a moment too soon." Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Valley Professor of Marine Biology and Distinguished Professor of Zoology, Oregan State University; Former President, American Association for the Advancement of Science

"This report makes clear that the science is now in: global warming is for real. Climate change cannot be understood or responsibly dealt with if either science or environmental concerns are politicized." Congressman James A. Leach (R-IA), U.S. House of Representatives

"Addressing the global threat of climate change requires more than just scientific consensus. This conference allowed the time and resources for exactly the type of meeting of industry, government, and civil society leaders that is needed if we are to move past talking about this growing threat, and start taking action. Quite frankly, the future of our economy and our way of life depend on it." Mindy S. Lubber, President, Ceres

"This important contribution reflects a unique coalition-building effort. What emerged was a wide recognition of the opportunities that would result for the United States and the world if only our government would lead and recognize the reality of global climate change." Timothy E. Wirth, President, United Nations Foundation and Better World Fund, Former U.S. Senator (D-CO)

"A fresh approach to the complex and often-controversial issue of global climate change — a collaborative effort, united by a simple, straightforward goal, namely to get things done. Daniel Abbasi does a skillful job of weaving together divergent views — those of science, business, government, and the media — so that a framework for change begins to take shape. A wonderfully put together book." Eileen Claussen, President, Pew Center on Global Climate Change

Product description

Abbasi, Daniel R., Americans And Climate Change: Closing The Gap Between Science And

About the Author

Daniel R. Abbasi, Director of the 2005 Yale F&ES Conference on Climate Change, is an Associate Dean at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and Director of the Environmental Attitudes and Behavior project at the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. He is also an advisor to MSM Capital Partners, which invests in business platforms and low-carbon technologies to mitigate climate change. Prior to Yale, Mr. Abbasi was an executive in the for-profit education sector with the Kaplan, Inc. unit of the Washington Post Company and a strategy and M&A professional at Time Warner. He served as Senior Adviser in the Office of Policy at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 1993-1996, working on climate change, trade, public/private environmental technology partnerships, sustainable development, regulatory innovation, and public communications. Mr. Abbasi has experience as an environmental issues specialist on a winning presidential campaign, as an international correspondent for the Earth Times newspaper, and managing a project on corporate accounting for environmental costs and risks at the World Resources Institute. He has also been a dispute resolution specialist for the American Arbitration Association and was Associate Director of the Stanford Center on Conflict and Negotiation at Stanford University. He holds a BA, magna cum laude, from Harvard College, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and an MA in Political Science from Stanford University.