Broecker: 'What we need are tougher measures against clima...( U.S. researcher Wallace S. Broecker ...)

U.S. researcher Wallace S. Broecker (Chicago, 1931), winner of the first edition of the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards in the Climate Change category, published an article in Science back in 1975 with the title "Climate Change: Are We on the Brink of a Pronounced Global Warming?" He thus became the first person to use the term "global warming" and to predict that by the early 21st century temperatures would be climbing as a result of human-induced CO₂ emissions. A prediction that has proved all too true.

The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards are intended to recognize and promote research of excellence. The breadth of disciplines addressed and their monetary amount a combined purse of 3.2 million euros spread over eight prize categories place them among the world's foremost award schemes.

The presentation ceremony will take place on June 18 in the BBVA Foundation's Madrid headquarters under the presidency of the Minister of Science and Innovation, Cristina Garmendia, and the BBVA Foundation President, Francisco Gonzlez. The event will welcome eminent members of the international scientific community and high-level government institutions alongside personalities from the worlds of business and the arts.

In the paragraphs that follow, Wallace S. Broecker analyzes the current state of play, champions options like carbon sequestering, and ventures some new predictions for the future.

"We are going to need to take tougher measures against climate change in the next few years", he contends. "It has taken a lot of time to convince citizens that we confront a grave global problem. But the last five years have witnessed a sea change. People have finally accepted that warming exists and that if CO₂ emissions go on rising the planet will heat up even more".

Broecker dismisses as "coincidence" his prophetic use of the term "global
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