Science Pub Series #13 – Assessing Climate Change
Join us for a lecture by Dr. Donald Rapp, who will discuss how accurately we can predict the extent and future impact of global climate change. Dr. Rapp spent over 30 years at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as Chief Technologist of the Mechanical and Chemical Systems Division.
Dr. Rapp will use a balanced approach to present a range of possible future scenarios for climate change. Climate data are typically sparse and noisy, and models are thereby unable to accurately predict future outcomes and impacts. CO2 concentrations keep rising as we emit more CO2. Global warming has occurred as a consequence over the past ~ 120 years. Many of the claims of droughts, floods, storms etc. are as of yet not based on solid evidence. Nevertheless we understand enough to know that there is a potential threat from further undiminished emissions of CO2, and it is necessary for the world to take significant steps to reduce future emissions, in order to assure that worst case scenarios do not become reality. It remains to be seen how quickly the world can reduce emissions via renewables, nuclear power, and energy efficiency.
Donald Rapp received his M. S. from Princeton and Ph. D. from Berkeley. He has half a century of experience as a professor, scientist and engineer. He was a full professor at the University of Texas and spent over 30 years at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as Chief Technologist of the Mechanical and Chemical Systems Division. In his early career he worked in chemical physics, producing two citation classics with over 500 citations, and textbooks on quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. Later, he worked on spacecraft technology leading to his book "Human Missions to Mars" and several others. Since about 2006 he has worked mainly on climate change, holding a sometimes critical approach to mainstream climate science.
Please join us and register as soon as possible as seating is limited.
Where: Dupar's Restaurant and Bakery, 214 S. Lake Ave, Pasadena
When: Sunday, April 22, 2018 @ 2:30-5:00pm
Cost: $30 member and $35 non-member, includes late lunch and non-alcoholic beverage
[Choice of turkey, fish & chips or chicken (please provide selection after ticket purchase). Free parking in the back of the restaurant.]
Contact: Ethel Laczko, etheledu@gmail.com or German Enciso, enciso@uci.edu
Refund Policy: We do not provide refunds for any of our events.