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F R O M T H E E D I T O R M A R C H 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E 8 6 | N O 3 Publisher Graeme Gourlay Editor Geordie Torr Staff Writer Olivia Edward Art Editor Angela Finnegan Sub-editor Charlie Furniss Equipment Editor Paul Deegan Cartographer John Plumer Operations Director Simon Simmons Accounts Ramesh Parshotam Advertising Manager Nada Vulic Editorial Advisory Board Chris Bonington, Ron Cooke, Nicholas Crane, Rita Gardner, Robin Hanbury-Tenison, Annabel Huxley, Vanessa Lawrence, Nick Middleton, David Rhind, Anthony Sattin, Nigel de N Winser Address Geographical, Suite 3.20, QWest, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0GP Telephone: 020 8332 8434 Fax: 020 8332 8438 Email: magazine@geographical.co.uk Advertising Department Telephone: 020 8332 8445 Fax: 020 8332 8438 Email: nada@geographical.co.uk Subscriptions Geographical, Freepost (SCE 12967), Thatcham RG19 4BR Telephone: 01635 588 496 Fax: 01635 868 594 Email: geographical@circdata.com Annual subscription rates UK: £54, EUROPE: £67, USA: £76, REST OF THE WORLD: £77 Newsstand sales and marketing Imagine, London Telephone: 0845 612 0092 Email: anything@imaginemag.net Newsstand distribution Fastmag, Circulation Department Telephone: 01582 475 333 Email: comments@fastmagltd.co.uk © Geographical Magazine Ltd Registered No. 07457559 Printed by Polestar, Colchester, Essex CO4 4HT Submissions Editorial proposals are only required from established writers and photojournalists. Please send them to proposals@geographical.co.uk. Contributors’ guidelines can be found on our website or email magazine@geographical.co.uk. Please do not send unsolicited photographic material. Geographical © is the magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), and was founded by Michael Huxley in 1935. The publishers of Geographical pay a licence fee to the RGS IBG. This fee is assigned to a fund for the advancement of exploration and research and the promotion of geographical knowledge.The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers or the Society. The publishers cannot be held responsible for loss of, or damage to, or the return of unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Published monthly. The paper in this magazine originates from timber grown in sustainable forests, responsibly managed to strict environmental, social and economic standards. For every tree that we use to make Geographical, three more are planted. Geographical ISSN: 0016 741X 04 | March 2014 Gathering evidence When I irst became editor of Geographical, I resisted running stories about global warming and climate change. At the time, I rather foolishly assumed that the debate was over, that everyone was in agreement that anthropogenic climate change was a reality and that the only remaining question was how we could best avoid its worst consequences. Now, almost a decade on, the ‘debate’ still rages. Climate change denial is rife. My country of origin, Australia, has a new prime minister by the name of Tony Abbott, who has been quoted in the past as saying that: ‘The argument [behind climate change] is absolute crap.’ Here in the UK, several Tory MPs have expressed doubts (and worse) about the science of climate change and it’s far from clear whether the government sees the issue as worthy of more than passing attention. But it’s obvious that time is running out. The science is telling us that there’s a limit to the amount of carbon dioxide that we can pump into the atmosphere if we’re to avoid ‘catastrophic’ climate change and we’re set to reach that limit soon. And yet it seems as though climate change is generally considered to be something that we’ll have to worry about in the future. Where’s the sense of urgency? In this special issue of Geographical, we’ve gathered together evidence from all over the world that climate change is already a reality. Some of the evidence is, perhaps, ambiguous, some it may well prove controversial, some of the systems involved are complex and their responses to the addition of heat are di icult to nail down, but I hope that taken together, the material herein will serve as a warning of what’s to come. C O N T R I B U T O R S Regular contributor Mark Rowe, who covers several areas in this issue (pages eight, 14, 24 and 52), says he’s frustrated that climate change deniers still have ‘such a disproportionate voice in the media’. ‘I expected my interviewees to couch some points in nuanced terms, to hedge their bets,’ he says. ‘But it was striking that the people best qualified to talk about climate change are no longer prepared to qualify their views – to them, it’s utterly unambiguous’ Psychologist Professor Stephan Lewandowsky writes about why denial of anthropogenic climate change is still a popular position, despite the supporting data (page 64). He says that his research into denial has made him more skeptical about his own thought processes. ‘I constantly check whether my opinions are unduly influenced by my world views, and whether I’m overlooking inconvenient data,’ he says ‘Working on this feature made me think again about my own consumption,’ says Hazel Southam, who writes about the effect of climate change on agriculture (page 58). ‘The more I’ve learnt about climate change, the more I’ve changed how I live. I absolutely believe that we can – and must – make a difference as individuals. I’ve reported on four G8 summits and seen that although politicians drag their feet on this issue, they are swayed by public pressure’ On the cover: Hurricane Sandy (NASA); melting icebergs, Greenland (Henk Meijer/Alamy); flooding in a Belarus village (Viktor Drachev/ AFP/Getty Images); cracked earth, Namibia (Shutterstock) March 2014 | UK£4.50 Geographical www.geographical.co.uk MAGAZINE OF THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY (WITH I BG) Climate change Here... Now... Cover.indd 1 04/02/2014 15:48
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Participate in a CONSERVATION SAFARI & help the survival of Ethiopian Wolves & Painted Dogs A truly unique wildlife encounter & more meaningful experience for you…. ■ Hosted by leading conservation biologists ■ You’ll see research programmes in action in the bush ■ You’ll engage with local field staff ■ Learn about the physiology of species ■ Witness extraordinary social behaviour ■ Learn about realistic and practical solutions helping to reduce human/animal conflict ■ Your participation will help the survival prospects of endangered species AFRICAN WILD DOG SAFARI in association with Painted Dog Conservation Hosts - Dr Greg Rasmussen, canid specialist & Steve Leonard, wildlife vet Hosts Dr Greg Rasmussen canid specialist 7–18 June 2014 5–10 guests A rare chance to spend time with Painted dogs and observe hands-on research in Mana Pools with Dr Greg Rasmussen, and to watch Steve Leonard (wildlife & TV vet) start a crucial vaccination programme in Hwange National Park. Visit PDC’s rehabilitation centre, vet lab and bush school with director Peter Blinston and enjoy Zimbabwe’s abundant wildlife and the Victoria Falls. WOLF WATCHING in association with Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme Host - Prof Claudio Sillero, Director EWCP, Head of Conservation Born Free H a r r i n g to n A L 5–15 November 2014 4–7 guests A truly unique experience in to the world of the Ethiopian wolf and a rare opportunity to traverse the spectacular Bale Mountains with Director Claudio Sillero and his team of wolf monitors. Help collect vital data on individual wolves, pups and packs. Observe wolves foraging and den activity on foot, horseback and in 4x4 vehicles. Learn about EWCP’s education programme. safari @spencerscott.co.uk +44 (0)1825 714310 www.spencerscotttravel.com T R A V E L E X P E R I E N C E D FACE TO FACE WITH THE FAR EAST The arc of countries covered by the Cox & Kings Far East programme runs from Japan through North & South Korea, Mongolia, China, Taiwan, Burma and the lush tropical lands of south-east Asia to the jungles of Borneo and Indonesia, offering an astonishing blend of bold modernity, majestic history and natural beauty. • Small Groups & Tailor-Made Tours • Highest Quality Services • Unrivalled Experience • Exceptional Value • Expert Planning 11 DAY CHINA TOURS FROM ONLY £2,245 www.coxandkings.co.uk/china To speak to an expert or request a brochure, please call 020 7873 5000 quoting ref: GEO ATOL 2815 ABTA V2999 Geographical HP F2F Far East 273x91 (FEB14).indd 1 24/01/2014 10:31

F R O M T H E E D I T O R

M A R C H 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E 8 6 | N O 3 Publisher Graeme Gourlay Editor Geordie Torr Staff Writer Olivia Edward Art Editor Angela Finnegan Sub-editor Charlie Furniss Equipment Editor Paul Deegan Cartographer John Plumer Operations Director Simon Simmons Accounts Ramesh Parshotam Advertising Manager Nada Vulic Editorial Advisory Board Chris Bonington, Ron Cooke, Nicholas Crane, Rita Gardner, Robin Hanbury-Tenison, Annabel Huxley, Vanessa Lawrence, Nick Middleton, David Rhind, Anthony Sattin, Nigel de N Winser Address Geographical, Suite 3.20, QWest, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0GP Telephone: 020 8332 8434 Fax: 020 8332 8438 Email: magazine@geographical.co.uk Advertising Department Telephone: 020 8332 8445 Fax: 020 8332 8438 Email: nada@geographical.co.uk Subscriptions Geographical, Freepost (SCE 12967), Thatcham RG19 4BR Telephone: 01635 588 496 Fax: 01635 868 594 Email: geographical@circdata.com Annual subscription rates UK: £54, EUROPE: £67, USA: £76, REST OF THE WORLD: £77 Newsstand sales and marketing Imagine, London Telephone: 0845 612 0092 Email: anything@imaginemag.net Newsstand distribution Fastmag, Circulation Department Telephone: 01582 475 333 Email: comments@fastmagltd.co.uk © Geographical Magazine Ltd Registered No. 07457559 Printed by Polestar, Colchester, Essex CO4 4HT

Submissions Editorial proposals are only required from established writers and photojournalists. Please send them to proposals@geographical.co.uk. Contributors’ guidelines can be found on our website or email magazine@geographical.co.uk. Please do not send unsolicited photographic material.

Geographical © is the magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), and was founded by Michael Huxley in 1935. The publishers of Geographical pay a licence fee to the RGS IBG. This fee is assigned to a fund for the advancement of exploration and research and the promotion of geographical knowledge.The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers or the Society. The publishers cannot be held responsible for loss of, or damage to, or the return of unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Published monthly.

The paper in this magazine originates from timber grown in sustainable forests, responsibly managed to strict environmental, social and economic standards. For every tree that we use to make Geographical, three more are planted.

Geographical

ISSN: 0016 741X

04 | March 2014

Gathering evidence

When I irst became editor of Geographical, I resisted running stories about global warming and climate change. At the time, I rather foolishly assumed that the debate was over, that everyone was in agreement that anthropogenic climate change was a reality and that the only remaining question was how we could best avoid its worst consequences.

Now, almost a decade on, the ‘debate’ still rages. Climate change denial is rife. My country of origin, Australia, has a new prime minister by the name of Tony Abbott, who has been quoted in the past as saying that: ‘The argument [behind climate change] is absolute crap.’ Here in the UK, several Tory MPs have expressed doubts (and worse) about the science of climate change and it’s far from clear whether the government sees the issue as worthy of more than passing attention.

But it’s obvious that time is running out. The science is telling us that there’s a limit to the amount of carbon dioxide that we can pump into the atmosphere if we’re to avoid ‘catastrophic’ climate change and we’re set to reach that limit soon.

And yet it seems as though climate change is generally considered to be something that we’ll have to worry about in the future. Where’s the sense of urgency?

In this special issue of Geographical, we’ve gathered together evidence from all over the world that climate change is already a reality. Some of the evidence is, perhaps, ambiguous, some it may well prove controversial, some of the systems involved are complex and their responses to the addition of heat are di icult to nail down, but I hope that taken together, the material herein will serve as a warning of what’s to come.

C O N T R I B U T O R S

Regular contributor Mark Rowe, who covers several areas in this issue (pages eight, 14, 24 and 52), says he’s frustrated that climate change deniers still have ‘such a disproportionate voice in the media’. ‘I expected my interviewees to couch some points in nuanced terms, to hedge their bets,’ he says. ‘But it was striking that the people best qualified to talk about climate change are no longer prepared to qualify their views – to them, it’s utterly unambiguous’

Psychologist Professor Stephan Lewandowsky writes about why denial of anthropogenic climate change is still a popular position, despite the supporting data (page 64). He says that his research into denial has made him more skeptical about his own thought processes. ‘I constantly check whether my opinions are unduly influenced by my world views, and whether I’m overlooking inconvenient data,’ he says

‘Working on this feature made me think again about my own consumption,’ says Hazel Southam, who writes about the effect of climate change on agriculture (page 58). ‘The more I’ve learnt about climate change, the more I’ve changed how I live. I absolutely believe that we can – and must – make a difference as individuals. I’ve reported on four G8 summits and seen that although politicians drag their feet on this issue, they are swayed by public pressure’

On the cover: Hurricane Sandy (NASA); melting icebergs, Greenland (Henk Meijer/Alamy); flooding in a Belarus village (Viktor Drachev/ AFP/Getty Images); cracked earth, Namibia (Shutterstock)

March 2014 | UK£4.50

Geographical www.geographical.co.uk

MAGAZINE OF THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY (WITH I BG)

Climate change Here... Now...

Cover.indd 1

04/02/2014 15:48

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