The title of the majority Dr Hansen’s public talks will be: “Human-Made Climate Change: A Scientific, Moral and Legal Issue”.

15 March 2011—One of the world’s top climate scientists, Dr James Hansen, will visit New Zealand in May for a speaking tour, his first time in the country.

Dr Hansen is probably best known for bringing the urgency of the climate change issue to the world’s attention when he gave evidence to the US congress in 1988.

He is Adjunct Professor at Colombia University’s Earth Institute and director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York.

His book, “Storms of my Grandchildren” (2009), updates the climate science and tracks a path that could lead us to a stable climate.

Dr Hansen has been invited to New Zealand by group of environmental, social justice and business organisations, academics and committed individuals, as a contribution to the ongoing debate about climate change – and coal (1).

Spokesperson for the group Jeanette Fitzsimons said: “Dr Hansen is one of the best-known climate scientists in the world. We think New Zealanders will be inspired by his explanation of why action is so urgent, and how it can be done. His recipe for how to achieve a stable climate by phasing out coal will be particularly relevant, as some in New Zealand plan to embark on massive new developments using lignite coal.”

Dr Hansen has been an active researcher in planetary atmosphere and climate
science for nearly 40 years, with the last 30 years focused on climate research,
publishing more than 100 scholarly articles on the latter topic.

The title of the majority Dr Hansen’s public talks will be: “Human-Made Climate
Change: A Scientific, Moral and Legal Issue”.

(1) Groups and businesses involved: 350.org, 100% Plan, Organic Systems NZ,
Greenpeace, Oxfam – and a number of interested individuals
(2) He will be in the country 11-21 May. Dates and details of his public talks to be confirmed closer to the tour.