Canadian Tar Sands

Local impacts

Large-scale toxic pollution, impacting people, wild lands and wildlife

Global climate impact

Dirtiest form of crude oil, would accelerate global CO2 emissions instead of reducing them

“Do the Math” Summaryby

Evan Hughes

Climate Change (also the oceans)• Science Not in Question• Happening Faster than Anticipated:– Significant impacts in the next 20-30 years– Severe impacts by the end of the century

• Fairness Issue:– U.S. largest contributor to the problem– Most impacted will be those in the poorest countries.

• The Way Forward:– There are concrete solutions that will not destroy the

economy– Major issues are not technical, but political, and driven by

entrenched interests (“. . . the enemy . . . is Shell.”)

Why 350?

350 ppm is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

390

For all of human history until 300 years ago our atmosphere contained 275 parts per million (ppm) carbon dioxide (CO2). This level of CO2 provided a stable atmosphere that allowed humans to flourish, develop agriculture and expand our societies.

275The ppm CO2 in the atmosphere for the last 10,000 years

The ppm CO2 in the atmosphere TODAY

The SAFE ppm CO2 level for our atmosphere

“If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and on-going climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced to at most 350 ppm.” - Dr. James Hansen, NASA

Do the Math

The total proven reserves of fossil fuel companies is five times the amount we can release to maintain 2°C of warming. In order to stay below 2°C warming we need to keep 80% of reserves IN THE GROUND.

565 Gigatons

Almost every government has agreed that warming above a 2°C (3.6°F) rise is unsafe. We have already raised the temperature 0.8°C, and caused far more damage than most scientists expected. A third of summer sea ice in the Arctic is gone, the oceans are 30% more acidic, and since warm air holds more water vapor than cold, the dice are loaded for devastating floods, droughts and storms.

2°C Global Consensus on Upper Limit of Warming

The MAX amount of additional CO2 we can ADD

Proven Coal, Oil & Gas Reserves TODAY

Scientists estimate that humans can pour roughly 565 more gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and still have some reasonable hope of staying below two degrees. Computer models calculate that even if we stopped increasing CO2 levels now, the temperature would still rise another 0.8°C above the 0.8 we’ve already warmed, which means that we’re already 3/4s of the way to the 2°C target.

2,795 Gigatons

My Math (not 350.org)• Not much more carbon can be moved from the rocks to the

atmosphere:– ~10,000 years prior to ~1750 the atmosphere contained

~3000 Gt CO2 for about 280 ppm: “just right deg C”– 1950: ~3700 Gt and ~330 ppm– 1980: ~4300 Gt and ~380 ppm– 2010: ~4500 Gt and ~395 ppm– 2025: ~5100 Gt and 450 ppm the 2 deg C point!– 2050: ~6500 Gt and 580 ppm perhaps the 3 deg C point– Therefore, significant impacts in the next 20-30 years, and

severe impacts by the end of the century• The Way Forward: STOP THE FREE DUMPING OF CO2!

My Message (350.org too?)• The Way Forward:– There are concrete solutions that will not destroy the

economy: We can pay each other to do different things, some new and some not, and even help the economy with new growth.

– Major issues are not technical, but political, and driven by entrenched interests: How best move the politics and give new directions to “entrenched” assets, skills and expertise?

– What role and objective for the divestment effort? How best educate about “no more moving C from rocks to sky” and living well without the free dumping of CO2?

About Mission:

Reduce dangerous carbon emissions by building a global grassroots movement of citizens working

to solve the climate crisis and organizing to transform our local communities.

Global, Strategic, Focused Organization Thousands of Events in over 180 countries since

2007 Largest Grassroots Effort in History

Organizing ManifestoHighlights:• We strive to build an inclusive

and empowering movement.

• We are committed to real action, not just talk.

• Any movement that isn't fun isn't worth being a part of.

• While science is important, stories make our movement powerful, and human.

Silicon Valley

Mission: Build a strong grassroots effort in the South Bay/Peninsula

region focused on taking action on climate change and having an impact on the local, national and global level in conjunction with 350.org

Organize our effort to be inclusive, accessible, welcoming and empowering to all who want to join in and take action on climate change

Coordinate and connect with other groups with a common purpose in the region

Silicon Valley – Projects

• Stop Keystone XL Pipeline• Divest from Fossil Fuels• Pass Carbon Tax/Cap and Trade &

End Fossil Fuel Subsidies• Outreach & Local Action Projects to

Lower Carbon Footprint