In this presentation, I will attempt to answer four questions:

　　Is global warming happening?

　　What is a major threat from global warming?

　　What does "business as usual" mean for global warming?

　　Can we avert dangerous climate change?

　　I suggest that no one strategy is likely to be the full answer to this problem, but the choice to do nothing is unacceptable. I will present a case that coal-fired power plants are likely to continue to be an important means for generating electricity, but we must work to develop the means to sequester carbon emissions from such plants. I will also argue that reliance on liquid fossil fuels for automotive transportation must be tempered by the increased use of battery-power cars, especially, the possibility of using plug-in hybrid electrical vehicles. I believe we have sufficient knowledge presently to start to take wise actions to mitigate global climate change, but I also believe that it is unclear whether we have the will to do that. 　　

　　在本讲题中，本人将回答四个问题：

　　全球在变暖吗？

　　全球变暖的主要威胁是什么？

　　一切正常"对全球变暖意味着什么？

　　人类能改变危险气候的变化吗？

　　本人认为，没有单一策略可完全回答这些问题，但是，选择无所作为是无法接受的。举个例子，燃煤发电厂很可能仍然是一个主要发电方法，但是，我们应设法减少燃煤发电厂的碳排放。汽车对液体化石燃料的依赖，应通过增加电池动力车的使用来减轻，尤其是应通过使用混合电动力车来实现。人类现有足够的知识来采取明智的措施，减缓全球气候的不利变化，但是，人类是否会采取相应的措施则不得而知。