What are climate change ‘feedback loops’?
About the video: ‘What are climate change ‘feedback loops’?’
Climate change is a non-linear event, meaning that certain temperatures or weather patterns can trigger abrupt change. Surface temperatures could therefore accelerate or recede quite suddenly. Sir Crispin talks about some of these mechanisms or ‘feedback loops.’ These include the possible switching off of the North Atlantic Conveyor, or Gulf Stream, and the ‘global dimming’ phenomenon.
Total views: 1,861
Filmed: London, UK on 9 March 2005
Credits: Interviewer - Marcus Morrell Camera and Editor - Marcus Morrell
Copyright © 2005 Big Picture TV
About Sir Crispin Tickell
Sir Crispin Tickell is a career diplomat whose posts include British Ambassador to Mexico (1981-83), Permanent Secretary of the Overseas Development Administration (1984-87) and British Permanent Representative to the United Nations (1987-90). He is also Chairman of the UK Government Panel on Sustainable Development, Chairman of the Climate Institute of Washington DC and is a senior visiting fellow at the Harvard University Center for the Environment.
Other videos with Sir Crispin Tickell
Sir Crispin Tickell
What causes climate change?
In recent decades climate scientists have noted an increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These cause global warming and are thought to have been generated…
Recorded: 9 March 2005
Sir Crispin Tickell
How can humanity cope with climate change?
Sir Crispin notes that global warming and other changes in the environment can and must be treated in a more holistic manner. There is an urgent need for everyone to recognize the…
Recorded: 9 March 2005
Sir Crispin Tickell
Can china grow its economy sustainably?
Since the mid-1990s, Sir Crispin has served as Chairman of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED). He describes how the Chinese…
Recorded: 9 March 2005
Related videos
David Wasdell
What are ‘climate feedbacks’?
David Wasdell explains how the future of our climate will be affected by feedback mechanisms that may amplify global warming. Of the 20 feedback mechanisms that have been identified,…
Recorded: 20 February 2007
Hans Joachim Schellnhuber
What will happen in the long term if we do nothing about climate change?
Professor Schellnhuber expresses caution when discussing possible runaway climate change. He does, however, believe that we are at a tipping point where human activity could tip…
Recorded: 11 December 2006
David Wasdell
How does climate change happen? (Part 1)
There are around 20 feedback mechanisms that could potentially accelerate climate change. In this two-part series David Wasdell examines three main categories of feedback. The best…
Recorded: 20 February 2007
David Wasdell
How does climate change happen? (Part 2)
There are around 20 feedback mechanisms that could potentially accelerate climate change. In this two-part series David Wasdell examines three main categories of feedback. The best…
Recorded: 20 February 2007
Richard Douthwaite
What impact will oil depletion have on the economy?
Economist Richard Douthwaite explores the economics driving climate change. He looks at how the current economic model requires sustained growth in order to survive and examines…
Recorded: 4 March 2005
Richard Heinberg
how can humanity best cope with increasing oil scarcity? (Part 2)
Given its finite nature, oil has rapidly become a vital strategic resource. Wars have already been fought over it and we are likely to see more as the years pass. Conflict over…
Recorded: 19 October 2005





