Bulletin of the American Physical Society
2016 Fall Meeting of the APS New England Section
Volume 61, Number 11
Friday–Saturday, October 28–29, 2016; North Adams, Massachusetts
Session B1: Poster Session (17:00 - 18:30) |
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Room: Church Street Center Social Hall |
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B1.00001: Precise measurements of hyperfine structure, isotope shifts, and transition amplitudes in thallium, indium, and lead atoms using vapor cell spectroscopy Eli Hoenig, Nathaniel Vilas, Bingyi Wang, P.M. Rupasinghe, P.K. Majumder In recent years, we have completed a series of high-precision atomic structure measurements in thallium and indium in our group. The results from our experiments test state-of-the-art {\em ab initio} atomic structure calculations in these atoms. Most recently, we used two-step, two-color vapor cell spectroscopy to determine hyperfine splittings and isotope shifts in the $8p$ excited states of thallium, and hyperfine constants in the $7p$ excited states of indium. One diode laser, locked to an electric dipole transition from the ground state to an intermediate state, is sent through the oven containing the thallium or indium. We scan a second, spatially-overlapped laser across the relevant hyperfine splitting. This procedure results in a Doppler-free absorption features whose splittings were determined with sub-MHz accuracy. Presently, we are pursuing vapor cell spectroscopy measurements in lead isotopes, to test new atomic theory calculations in this four-valence-electron system. These will include isotope shift and hyperfine structure measurements, as well as relative E2/M1 transition amplitude measurements in the ground state $^{3}P_0 \rightarrow ^{3}P_1$ and $^{3}P_0 \rightarrow ^{3}P_2$ transitions at 1279 nm and 939 nm respectively. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00002: High-precision Stark shift measurements in excited states of indium using an atomic beam Nathaniel Vilas, Benjamin Augenbraun, Allison Carter, P.M. Rupasinghe, P.K. Majumder Recent precise measurements in our group of scalar polarizabilities (Stark shifts) within the 410 nm $5p_{1/2} \rightarrow 6s_{1/2}$ and 1343 nm $6s_{1/2} \rightarrow 6p_{1/2}$ transitions of indium had uncertainties below the 1\% level, and showed excellent agreement with {\em ab initio} atomic theory. We are now working towards a measurement of the polarizability within the $6s_{1/2} \rightarrow 7p_{1/2}$ excited-state transition whose Stark shift is expected to be 30 times larger than in our previous work. In our experiment, two external cavity semiconductor diode lasers interact transversely with a collimated indium atomic beam. We tune the 410 nm laser to the $5p_{1/2} \rightarrow 6s_{1/2}$ transition, keeping the laser locked to the exact Stark-shifted resonance frequency. We overlap a 690 nm red laser to reach the $7p_{1/2}$ state. The very small red absorption in our atomic beam is detected using two-tone FM spectroscopy. Monitoring the two-step excitation signal in a field-free supplemental vapor cell provides frequency reference and calibration. Precisely calibrated electric fields of 1-5 kV/cm produce Stark shifts of order 100 MHz for this excited state. Experimental details and latest results will be discussed. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00003: Does the Boltzmann distribution emerge from a thermal correspondence principle? Samuel Alterman, William Wootters Consider a one-dimensional quantum particle in a box, in thermal equilibrium with a large environment. Even for moderate temperatures, one finds that the probability distribution of the particle's position is remarkably uniform over most of the length of the box. This distribution function is a weighted average of the squares of the energy eigenfunctions, the weights being given by the Boltzmann distribution. We begin by asking whether one can deduce the Boltzmann weights for this system by insisting that the position distribution function be very flat. Numerical evidence suggests that the answer is yes. We then ask to what extent this observation might generalize to other physical systems. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00004: Parallel Implementation of the Dirac Equation Olivia Comeau, Jung-Han Kimn The objective of this research is to acquire an understanding of the numerical components of an effective Dirac equation simulation with hopes that similar procedures can be implemented for other related differential equation models from physical phenomena. The Dirac equation is a relativistic wave equation that describes spin- \textonehalf particles and is related to other equations such as the Klein-Gordon equation, where it is the square root of the Klein-Gordon. Parallel implementations of the Dirac equation and corresponding numerical performances are studied with various numerical options. The C language and the Portable, Extensible Toolkit for Scientific Computation (PETSc) libraries, such as Krylov Subspace Methods (KSP) and Preconditioners (PC) are the main tools used in this research. The effectiveness of our procedure for the parallel execution of the Dirac matrix will be analyzed. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00005: Development of a Quantum Optical Setup for Single Photon Experiments Jason Turner, Seyfollah Maleki Following the work of E. Galvez (Colgate University), we constructed a quantum optical setup to control and detect single photons generated via Type-I spontaneous parametric down conversion using a barium-borate crystal. The photons were detected in coincidence using a Field Programmable Gate Array. The data acquisition and user interfaces to manipulate the photon counts were programmed in LabVIEW. We aligned a beam-splitter into our optical setup to measure the degree of second-order coherence of the Ga-N laser, a quantity used to investigate the existence of the photon. We aligned a Mach-Zhender interferometer into our optical setup to measure single photon interference and to perform the quantum eraser experiment. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00006: Neutrosophic Quantum Computer Florentin Smarandache This paper is a theoretical approach for a potential neutrosophic quantum computer to be built in the future, which is an extension of the classical theoretical quantum computer, into which the indeterminacy is inserted. Neutrosophic quantum communication is facilitated by the neutrosophic polarization that favors the use the neutrosophic superposition and neutrosophic entanglement. The neutrosophic superposition can be linear or non-linear. While into the classical presumptive quantum computers there are employed only the coherent superpositions of two states (\textit{0} and \textit{1}), in the neutrosophic quantum computers one supposes the possibilities of using \textit{coherent superpositions amongst three states} (\textit{0, 1,} and $I \quad =$ indeterminacy) and one explores the possibility of using the \textit{decoherent superpositions} as well. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00007: Advances in Splitting and Detecting of Entangled Electrons in Cooper Pair Boning Yu A Cooper Pair Splitter is a Y-junction device composed of a superconductor stem and two Quantum-Dot-embedded normal conductor arms. It can split Cooper pairs into entangled electrons, which are essential for quantum teleportation and communication. Recent studies reported modifications of the splitter with higher efficiency, including enhancing the crossed Andreev reflection by coupling a Quantum Anomalous Hall Insulator with the superconductor; tuning the conductance levels by thermoelectric effects of the embedded QDs; regulating the voltage difference of the QDs by a bilayer grapheme and placing an Al superconductor strip at the center of an InAs nanowire with two normal metallic drains at both ends. It is still hard to detect the entangled electrons directly, but an alternative way is to measure the photons' polarization entanglement converted from the electrons. Photonic nanocavity and drive lasers are usually used. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00008: Synthesis and Characterization of Iron doped Zinc Oxide Nano-Particles Benjamin Lewis, Aleksey Fylypiv, Peter LeMaire, Rahul Singhal Magnetic nanoparticles are of great interest because of their applications in various fields such as memory storage devices and biomedical imaging. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) of Iron doped Zinc Oxide (Zn$_{\mathrm{1-x}}$Fe$_{\mathrm{x}}$O) with different doping concentration (x $=$ 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.09) were effectively synthesized via the co-precipitation method. The optical properties of the samples were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-visible spectroscopy. The thermal characterizations of the synthesized nanoparticles were carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results obtained will be presented. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00009: Lorentz symmetry breaking: monopole lensing Ben Guan, Michael Seifert If Lorentz symmetry is broken, then the speed of light can be variable throughout space. One way to accomplish this is via a hypothetical Lorentz-violating tensor field, which defines a preferred direction in spacetime. A monopole is a spherically symmetric configuration of this tensor field. As a light ray travels through this tensor field, it will either bend toward or away from the monopole due to the fact that speed of light is different at each point in space. We will present numerical results concerning the relationship between the deflection angle and the impact parameter for such light rays. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00010: Simulating interactions of Lorentz-violating monopoles George Sarkar, Michael Seifert Theories with spontaneously broken symmetry can give rise to a specific class of solutions known as monopoles. In one such theory, being tested in this paper, an antisymmetric two-tensor field that spontaneously breaks Lorentz symmetry can form such monopole solutions. Very little is known about the interactions of these monopoles; as the equations of motion are nonlinear, simulational techniques are required. We present progress towards creating a simulation of these time-dependent monopoles, seeing if monopoles are still in existence today, and estimating their density in the current universe. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00011: The superluminal motion of sources in Lorentz-violating universes Taylor Copeland, Michael Seifert, Leslie Brown Many models of Lorentz symmetry violation can result in a speed of light that is non-isotropic. The phenomenon of “superluminal jets” is dependent both on the direction of travel of relativistic jets emitted from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and the direction of light propagation, and could serve as a sensitive probe of Lorentz symmetry breaking. We designed a simulation of a Universe in which Lorentz symmetry is broken, and investigated the effects of this breaking on the distribution of superluminal jets on the sky. An anisotropic distribution of sources was found in this model Universe, with varying patterns depending on the form of the effective metric for light propagation. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00012: Limited Weak Equivalence Principle Florentin Smarandache The Weak Equivalence Principle is not Quite Equivalent at the Macro level. The weak equivalence principle should be renamed as ``limited weak equivalence principle'' or ``partial weak equivalence principle'' since it is not always valid. It is said that the equivalence weak principle (of gravitation and acceleration) works only on small enough region and only within a certain limited accuracy. But it is too infinitedecimal in order to be (grosso modo) applied at the macrocosmos level. But these restrictions are so strong, that many other principles may work at such small scales. Would the equivalence principle work for quantum gravity? We mean is quantum gravity equivalent to a quantum acceleration? [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00013: Numerical Solution of the Schwarzschild Interior in Loop Quantum Cosmology Alec Yonika, Gaurav Khanna In loop quantum cosmology (LQC), the quantum-scale geometry of spacetime is defined by two-dimensional finite-difference (FD) equations. Serious numerical work on the stability and correctness of these models has, so far, been lacking in the literature. Our project is to numerically analyze a novel equation derived to resolve the singularity problem in the Schwarzschild case. We will see under what conditions the stability of this FD model is guaranteed. And we will test if, when evolved, the model gives appropriate results to both LQC and GR predictions in the correct regime. Many benchmarks in progress for this project have already been completed. We will analyze the two-dimensional model in large to small space and time iterations. But, we have already: analyzed the stability conditions for both two-dimensional and two one-dimensional statements, seen that the result converges to a semi-classical result, and have a two-dimensional program to evolve boundary conditions under our stencil. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00014: Neutron Production Rates in Dark Matter Detector Materials Tia Martineau, Alan Robinson One of the sources of background radiation for direct detection dark matter experiments is neutrons produced by ($\alpha $,n) nuclear reactions in the detector materials. Using the programming language Python, an open-source calculator is being developed to calculate the anisotropic reaction rates from the ($\alpha $,n) reaction process as well as the angles and energies of the outgoing neutrons produced. With these computations, it will be possible to minimize the amount of background radiation present in direct detection dark matter experiments like PICO-2L and SuperCDMS. A stopping power calculation for any given detector material and a differential cross section portion of the code have been written and are used in the energy spectrum and reaction rate calculation. This last portion of the code will determine the final reaction rates, angles and energies of the neutron yields. Further developments of the code will enable a user to work with detector materials containing more than one element and with a greater number of target isotopes. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00015: Exploring Scalar Field Late-Time Power-Law Decay Rates Within A Black Hole Event Horizon Izak Thuestad Computational simulations were performed on the local PS3 cluster at UMass Dartmouth to explore the behavior of late time power law decay rates for scalar fields within a black hole event horizon. This was done utilizing a novel coordinate system that allows for a smooth transition through the radius with the initial aim of expanding the numerical confirmation of Price Law. This law provides a means to calculate the late time behavior of scalar fields for Schwarzschild black holes. The decay rates predicted by Prices Law are independent of the spatial location with respect to the horizon. Initial simulations reveal a region at Radius $=$ 1M (natural units) in which the expected decay rates for odd modes were greater than expected. A new code was developed that provides a deeper exploration for the time evolution of this ring down behavior and results from this code reveal that even-modes undergo a similar transition at key radial locations within the horizon not equal to R $=$ 1M. Currently these numerical methods are being used to search for violations of Prices law outside of the event horizon. Exploring this behavior is necessary in order to develop our understanding of black holes and the fundamental processes that regulate such behavior. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00016: Comparison of Alternative Gravity Models in Dwarf Galaxy Rotation Curves James O'Brien, Justin Harrington, Taylor Saintable Galactic rotation curves have proven to be the testing ground for dark matter bounds in spiral galaxies of all morphologies. Dwarf Galaxies serve as an increasingly interesting testing ground of rotation curve dynamics due to their increased stellar formation and typically rising rotation curve. These galaxies usually are not dominated by typical stellar structure and mostly terminate at small radial distances. This, coupled with the fact that Cold Dark Matter theories such as NFW (ΛCDM) struggle with the universality of galactic rotation curves, allow for exclusive features of alternative gravitational models to be analyzed. Here, we present a thorough application of alternative gravitational models (conformal gravity and MOND) to a 2010 dwarf galaxy sample from Swaters et al. An analysis and discussion of the results of the fitting procedure of the two alternative gravitational models are explored. We posit here that both the Conformal Gravity and MOND can provide an accurate description of the galactic dynamics without the need for copious dark matter. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00017: Efficient Quantum Compiling William Kirby, Frederick Strauch Efficient quantum compiling is a necessary tool for future quantum computers. We have developed an efficient classical algorithm to compile an arbitrary unitary operator into a product of Clifford+T operators, which can be implemented fault-tolerantly on a quantum computer. Runtime and product length for our algorithm are $O(4^NN\log(1/\epsilon))$, where $N$ is the number of qubits and $\epsilon$ is the error (normalized trace distance); these values are equivalent to the current state of the art. A theoretical lower bound for both values is $\Omega(4^N\log(1/\epsilon))$. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00018: Empirical Model to Reduce Thermal-Bias Errors in Returned Laser Scatter Signals Jalal Butt, S. Jake Atkins, Nimmi Sharma Laser radar (also called LIDAR) has proven to be a very effective tool in understanding the earth's atmosphere remotely. The Micro-Pulse Lidar System is a single frequency system that utilizes a coaxial transmitter and receiver. Distinctive oscillations were observed in a Micro-Pulse Lidar System's laser scatter signals and were determined to be majorly influenced by the Micro-Pulse Lidar System's host laboratory's [small] thermal gradients. An empirical model was developed to reduce signal errors induced by thermal fluctuations. Results offer a general method to reduce thermally induced signal oscillations found in Micro-Pulse Lidar-type systems. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00019: Detection of Atmospheric Features using In Situ and Optical Remote Sensing Measurements William Tuxbury, Chris Oville, Jalal Butt, Nimmi Sharma Detection of features in the lower atmosphere is important for enhancing our understanding of atmospheric dynamics and for providing inputs into atmospheric modeling. In situ measurements allow direct sampling of the atmosphere, however they typically provide a limited amount of data due to the challenges in obtaining the data. This study used in situ measurements from radiosondes, small direct sampling instruments which sample the atmosphere at various altitudes as they are borne aloft on large weather balloons. They are typically limited to two launches per day. While useful, such measurements are unable to capture the temporal variations of certain atmospheric features that result from atmospheric dynamics. Laser radar, also known as Lidar (an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging) is an optical remote sensing technique that is capable of providing longer time frame atmospheric measurements. In this study, lower atmospheric feature detection is accomplished using radiosonde data collected from three regional sounding sites in conjunction with remote sensing measurements from a CCD Camera (CLidar) system at Central Connecticut State University. The CLidar is a bi-static, laser and CCD camera imaging lidar which is designed to detect the scattering of light from aerosol particles. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00020: Applying Project Based Teaching and Learning (PBTL) to Undergraduate Physics Courses Dipti Sharma Teaching Physics to Physics minors and class filled with diverse students is always challenging. Several research has been taking place to improve teaching methods for diverse students. The present work focuses project based teaching and learning (PBTL) where a project is assigned to the class as a group of two or three students where they are asked to use and explore the physical concepts learned during the course with real world applications. It came out that students can understand the concepts in much easier way using PBTL and shows improvement in their final grades when compared with midterm grades. Hence, in the present work, we are showing details of an undergraduate project named as ``Determination of running speed of students of the Physics course under various conditions'' that was run in a general Physics course during summer 2016 with its results, outcomes, improvements and application. \textbf{Keywords: }Physics, Project based teaching and learning, PBTL, outcomes, application. Diversity, pedagogy, possibilities. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00021: Biomedical Polymer Scaffolds Formed by Electrospinning and STRAND Technique Daniel O'Brien, Makarand Paranjape Intrinsic biological conditions place specific requirements on the materials used in cell transplants, which vary with changing environments. A biodegradable polymer called poly glycerol-sebacate (PGS) fits many such requirements. PGS microfibers and nanofibers can be fabricated using two techniques, electrospinning and the ``STRAND'' technique (Substrate Translation and Rotation for Aligned Nanofiber Deposition)---each giving fibers with mutable properties. Whereas electrospinning allows for random or generally aligned fiber collection, STRAND allows for highly aligned fiber collection. STRAND also enables multi-directional cross-hatching of fibers and the ability to control fiber morphology, diameter, and spacing to high accuracy. Fibers formed by these techniques are being used for retinal cell implantation and drug-release experiments, to study the effect of different spinning techniques on results. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00022: The IRES Program at MAX-lab: Student Involvement in Experimental Nuclear Physics Grant O'Rielly Since 2010 undergraduate students from several US colleges and universities have had the opportunity to participate in an international collaborative research program at the MAX-lab facility located at Lund University in Sweden through an International Research Experience for Students (IRES) project award. This project has supported up to six undergraduate students each year. The student researchers were involved with all aspects of the experiments performed at the laboratory. They were involved in measurements to investigate the dynamics responsible for the internal structure of the nucleon through the study of pion photoproduction off the nucleon. Along with the US co-PIs, members of the international MAX-Tagg Collaboration contributed to the training and mentoring of the students. This program provides students with an international research experiences that prepare them to operate successfully in a global environment and encourages them to stay in areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that are crucial for our modern, technology-dependent society. The history, goals and outcomes of this program as will be presented as well as a description of the project management required to create a successful and productive undergraduate research program. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00023: Study on Organic Wastewater Contaminants(OWCs) Using Computational Simulation and Chemical Physics Dahyung Kim, Andrew Kyung Amongst the global water crisis, the conservation of fresh water supply on Earth is crucial. Industrialization and the resulting pollution have posed a serious threat to our water sources. Synthetic chemicals used in manufacture and industry are often wrongfully disposed and contaminate the water supply. Some of the synthetic chemicals, categorized as organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs), include pharmaceuticals and hormones. Chemical compounds in such substances can cause various health defects in living organisms, such as cancer, abnormal reproductive function, change in physiological processes, and development of antibiotic resistance. However, the low concentrations of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and personal care products(PPCPs) present in industrial runoffs make it difficult to observe its resulting health defects. In this paper, theoretical and computational calculations, through computational chemistry and program package, used the restricted approximation of the wave functions to calculate the safety and stability of the PPCPs. The Universal Force Field (UFF), a molecular mechanics force field theory was employed to predict the thermodynamic properties of the PPCPs molecules. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00024: Activities of the Chemical Molecules of Vaccines and Bug Repellants: Applications in Computational and Physical Chemistry Richard Kyung, Sangeun Yeom Currently there is no cure or treatment for Zika virus, but researchers are working on potential vaccines, with some ready for human trials. Meanwhile, an important prevention method is to prohibit mosquitoes from maturing into biting adults through application of adulticides, larvicides, and repellents. For this reason, this paper conducted a computational simulations for the activities and stabilities of the chemical molecules used in vaccines and bug repellants. The Zika virus is just one example of a vector-borne disease. Although preventable, vector-borne diseases make up 17percent of infectious diseases and account for more than one million deaths per year (WHO). Ongoing research is crucial to eradicate all vector-borne diseases. This particular paper examines chemical molecules used in vaccines and bug repellants. The research presents the optimum structure of molecules involved in immunization therapies for Zika Virus. Through Avogadro and other computer programs, this research seeks safe and efficient stereo-chemical forms of Deltamethrin, Methoprene, and other molecules. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00025: Under Graduate Researches that show Einstein Incorrect Chung_Yin Lo Einstein's speculation E $=$ mc$^{\mathrm{2}}$ is not generally valid. This can be proven by experiments at the undergraduate level. Einstein claimed that an increment of energy will lead to an increment of weight. A specific example is a piece of heated-up metal. However, experiments show that six kinds of metal all reduced weight after heated-up. The experiment requires a scale of 10$^{\mathrm{-4}}$ g accuracy. The temperature differences is more than a 100 degree C. Another two experiment is to weigh a charged capacitor or a charged metal ball. The reason for such a phenomena is due to the existence of the repulsive gravitation that Einstein, Newton and Galileo over-looked. If one has a torsion balance scale, one can measure the repulsive gravitation in action. It will be found that the heated-up metal ball will have reduced gravitation. [Preview Abstract] |
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B1.00026: Teaching Climate Change to Skeptics Paul H. Carr An effective way of teaching climate change is to balance risk against reward (1). Climate change is already costing us (2). Wildfires, droughts, and refugees are increasing; storms becoming more violent; floods setting record heights; and glaciers melting. If we do nothing, it could cost \$1 trillion/year (2). Climate science tells us the risks. The stable climate for the last 10,000 years helped explode our population from $3x10^6$ to $7x10^9$. Our carbon dioxide emissions are warming the earth via the greenhouse effect. At the present rate of CO2 increase, concentrations will reach 700 ppm by 2100. Millions of year ago, sea levels were 300 feet higher at 700 ppm. James Hansen’s prediction of a sea level rise of 7 feet by 2075 could, depending on the model parameter, range as high 17 feet. Predictions of massive flood losses for the world’s 136 largest coastal cities are US\$60 - \$63 billion per year in 2050 compared to \$6 billion in 2005. Failure to act could lead to global losses upwards of \$1 trillion annually (1).\\ \\REFERENCES: (1) Carmen Nobel, “Teaching Climate Change to Skeptics” Forbes. Sept 9, 2013. (2) H. Paulson, M. Bloomberg. www.riskybusiness.org [Preview Abstract] |
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