James Hansen

James Hansen

James E. Hansen (born March 29, 1941) PhD, Columbia University Earth Institute, New York, NY (USA)

James Hansen has headed the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City, a part of the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, Earth Sciences Division since 1981. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University.

Scientists Push for Solar Geoengineering

Solar geoengineering is refers to a process in which dust is sprayed into the atmosphere in order to "reflect solar radiation back to space" with the intent to dim the sun and therefore, avert global warming. Bill Gates and the Biden administration have supported study into Solar geoengineering.,

A letter pushing for Solar geoengineering dated February 27, 2023 signed by scientists affirm "support for research on atmospheric aerosols and their potential to increase the reflection of sunlight from the atmosphere to address climate risk":

From the introduction:

Given the severity of climate change, scientists and scientific bodies have recommended research on potential approaches to increasing the reflection of sunlight (or release of long wave radiation) from the atmosphere, referred to as “solar radiation modification” (SRM), to slow climate warming and reduce climate impacts. In particular, this research is important for understanding their potential for responding to climate change rapidly, in order to reduce the dangers to people and ecosystems of the climate warming that is projected to occur over the next few decades while society reduces greenhouse gas emissions and concentrations in the atmosphere.

James Hansen signed the letter.

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Hansen was listed as a member of the Science and Security Board for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists as at March 4, 2010.

Embracing the Chinese Political System

According to Wesley Pruden writing in the Washington Times on Jan. 20, 2011, James Hansen thinks the West should abandon its "fossil-money democracy" and copy the Chinese way of regulating debate.

He compared the Chinese and U.S. political systems,

"I have the impression that Chinese leadership takes a long view, perhaps because of the long history of their culture, in contrast with the West with its short election cycle. At the same time, China has the capacity to implement policy decisions rapidly. The leaders seem to seek the best technical information and do not brand as hoax that which is inconvenient."

He has also proposed in Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, that because Congress won't enact a law to make coal prohibitively expensive, China should lead a boycott of the U.S. economy. He concluded his comments:

"The United States then would be forced to make a choice. It could either address its fossil-fuel addiction … or accept continual descent into second-rate and third-rate economic well-being."