The Earth has warmed by almost two degrees Fahrenheit since 1880. This seemingly small increase in global warming explains why much of the land ice on the planet is starting to melt, the oceans are rising at an accelerating pace, and weather extremes are becoming common. Climate researchers have vetted the overwhelming science-based evidence and conclude that human activities associated with the release of greenhouse gases are the primary culprit. If emissions continue unchecked, global warming will exceed eight degrees Fahrenheit. This would significantly transform the planet as we know it today and undermine its capacity to support a large human population. This presentation will focus on the science-based evidence of climate disruption and lay out the options available to us to secure a sustainable future.

Seth B. Darling, Ph.D., is a Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory and a Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago. After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in physical chemistry, he joined Argonne as the Glenn Seaborg Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow in the Materials Science Division. Following his postdoc, Dr. Darling joined the Center for Nanoscale Materials at Argonne as a staff scientist. His group’s research is motivated by humankind’s grand challenges and centers around molecular engineering with a particular emphasis on solar energy and water treatment. Dr. Darling has published over 100 papers and a popular book on climate change, holds several patents, and lectures widely on topics related to energy, climate, and water.

This program is supported by the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund.