Two Vanderbilt researchers had key roles in a critical report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that says the evidence for current and future harm created by human-caused greenhouse gases is beyond scientific dispute.
To prepare the report released in September, the committee considered widely available datasets that provide information about greenhouse gas emissions, the climate system, and human health and public welfare; a broad range of peer-reviewed literature and scientific assessments; and more than 200 comments submitted in response to a request for information.
Hussam Mahmoud, director of the Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Energy and Climate (VSEC), was one of the reviewers of the consensus study report that includes findings based on information gathered by the committee on anthropogenic greenhouse gases and U.S. climate: evidence and impact. George M. Hornberger, University Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences, Emeritus, at Vanderbilt is a contributing author on the committee.
“The fact that two people from Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering are part of the NASEM report doesn’t happen very often,” said Mahmoud, Craig E. Philip Endowed Chair in Engineering and professor of civil and environmental engineering. “I’m glad we had an opportunity to be part of such a critical report on our environment.”
The report summarizes evidence gathered by the scientific community on human contribution to greenhouse gas emission and its impact on the environment, health, and infrastructure. In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that greenhouse gas emissions threaten public health and welfare. The EPA recently, however, gave notice of proposed rulemaking indicating their intention to rescind this finding.
According to the report, EPA’s 2009 finding was accurate, has stood the test of time, and is now reinforced by even stronger evidence. Much of the understanding of climate change that was uncertain or tentative in 2009 has now been resolved by scientific research, the report said.
Contact: Lucas Johnson, lucas.l.johnson@vanderbilt.edu