Elizabeth Kolbert was looking to break into the global warming issue back in 2001. When she approached The New Yorker editors with the idea for the piece, all they told her was if she was going to do it, make sure "to do it big."
A three-part article series and one book on climate change later, it's safe to say she followed their advice.
Kolbert published the articles in 2005 after extensive research on climate change, and the book that stemmed from the articles was published this past March. She traveled to Alaska and Greenland, areas that are already reeling from the effects of global warming, as well as speaking to leading scientists in the field.
In a phone interview this past week, Kolbert spoke about the issue in calm, knowledgeable tones, but it was hard to miss the urgent note in her voice, especially when talking about how the Administration was handling the situation:
You draw an analogy in your book comparing global warming to "rocking the boat," and how one day, the boat's going to tip. How much time is left till we pay for all that rocking?
I can't really tell you when, I can't give you a date. Climate models are not good at predicting when it's going to happen … but [when] the climate changes … it's not going to be a gradual change … No one knows [when it's going to happen] … We're talking about uncharted territory here.
So what exactly is going to happen when the boat tips?
Well, we know that sea levels are going to rise, and [looking at the United States] this is going to affect areas like lower Manhattan, southern Florida. Look around the world to places at or below sea level, and it's obvious these places are going to be affected [too]. If the Greenland and the west Antarctic ice sheets melt, we could see a 30 foot rise in sea level … and once this is set in motion, it cannot be stopped.
You mention the significant but unknown time delay between putting greenhouse gases into the air and us reaping the consequences. That seems to be a big reason why laypeople aren't concerned - how do you get college students involved?
Honestly, I'm surprised by the lack of urgent action on campuses. The future of today's college student depends on action on this issue … People seem to think "Oh, when things get bad, then we'll deal with it," but by then it'll be too late … As far as how to get college students active politically, I don't know.
Tell me your thoughts about A Day After Tomorrow. Do you think that opened people's eyes at all?
People in the field had mixed reactions. The beginning of the movie, where a piece of the Antarctic falls off, well, that actually happened, you know? But then as far as the rest … it was just this big Hollywood production. I don't know how much awareness it actually brought about.
In the beginning of the book, you say Hurricane Katrina and Rita are examples of the effects of global warming. Do you think their devastating effects are enough to get people to act?
Well, first of all, to be clear, models suggest stronger hurricanes, not necessarily more frequent ones. And it was certainly a wake up call, but does everyone listen to a wake-up call? Nope.
What about getting the Administration to act?
The Administration's attitude is "there's a problem, but we don't have to do anything about it." The government does not believe in mandatory cutting of [CO2] emissions. The Clear Skies act was just another way to get around the issue … it does nothing about CO2 levels. Now, [because of the Clear Skies act] people are not asking Bush questions about what he's doing about global warming, which was its purpose.
After everything you've seen, what goes through your head when the Administration takes that kind of stance?
It makes me pretty depressed. The political system has really failed us on this issue. They just continued to pretend [the issue] doesn't exist. It's going to be a political test: are we capable of dealing with this major test? In Europe, there is no scientific debate. Global warming is real, it's happening. You won't hear people say that it may be due to natural fluctuations in the climate like you do in the states.
Kolbert pointed out a quote from Tony Blair that she felt summed up the issue: "The threat posed by climate change may be greater than previously thought, and global warming is advancing at an unsustainable rate …"
Before hanging up, she added, "Now, get out there, and make sure … to get the word out to those college kids," followed by a nervous laugh. It was forced, but that came to no surprise. After all, the situation doesn't leave too much to laugh about.
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