The Challenge: Propose an integrated global solution to the rapid rise in atmospheric CO2 that will stabilize concentrations at an economically viable and internationally acceptable level.
Background: As atmospheric CO2 increases global temperatures and sea-level will rise, patterns of precipitation and crop yields will shift, ocean chemistry and circulation patterns will be changed, and these will in turn effect billions of people. It is clear that we are at a cross roads and that our continued prosperity hinges on stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations. With human population exceeding 6.7 billion and projections of 10 billion by the end of the century, fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions will continue to increase and the problem is here to stay.