1. Who’s afraid of climate change? The Norwegian Research & Technology Forum Carnegie Institution, Washington D.C. October 5, 2004 Knut H. Alfsen, Statistics Norway and CICERO, Vice chair NORKLIMA

2. Paleoclimatologists and oceanographers  Rapid climate change  Freshening of the Nordic Seas

3. Engineers and other technologists  Stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations requires large reductions in emissions  The energy challenge: Meeting continuous growth in energy demand while reducing greenhouse gas emissions The challenge

4. Solution: Technology – development and implementation  Social scientists: Robust climate change control policies within long-term and stable conditions are essential

5. NORKLIMA: Norway’s response  Research on the climate system and on the expected effects of climate change in our region  Inter- and multidisciplinary research  Emphasis on international co-operation  15 million $ per year for a ten-year period

6. NORKLIMA: A unified research program on climate change and its impacts in our northern region  Some key issues:  Quantifying and reducing uncertainty  Understanding rapid climate change  Understanding processes in, and impacts of, the ocean  Understanding arctic climate change and its impacts  Impacts and interaction between climate change and other societal driving forces at a local level

7. Conclusion  ”If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there” (George Harrison)  Climate change science is a road sign currently showing: Slow down

8. Thank you for your attention!