Anybody who has been seriously engaged in scientific work of any kind realizes that over the entrance to the gates of the temple of science are written the words: 'Ye must have faith.'
Max PlanckRead
The paleoclimate record shouts to us that, far from being self-stabilizing, the Earth's climate system is an ornery beast which overreacts even to small nudges.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Earth's climate is sensitive and can change drastically from small influences.
Wallace Smith Broecker's observation highlights the complex and responsive nature of the Earth's climate system. Rather than being stable and predictable, the climate is depicted as a 'beast' that can react strongly to minor changes, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing these fluctuations to address climate change effectively.
Themes
ClimateClimate ChangePaleoclimateEnvironmentEarth
In practice
Example use cases
During a climate conference as a reminder of the urgency of addressing climate instability.
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