Stanford professor at Tahoe: There is a way to stop global warming,

Keynote speaker and Stanford University professor of earth system science Dr. Noah Diffenbaugh presented his latest findings on the connections between the planet’s global warming and extreme weather events today at Operation Sierra Storm, a national weather conference held annual on the South Shore.

"It’s been an extreme year in California, and not only the rest of the U.S. but other parts of the world," said Diffenbaugh. "The warming we are seeing is not consistent with natural forcing alone.”

Diffenbaugh explained based on current research and the trends it is uncovering the country will continue to experience future impacts.

"As I say in my classes, global warming is a measurement," Diffenbaugh explained. "It is not a matter of politics. It is not a matter of belief. If you believe in thermometers you have no choice but to believe in global warming. It’s just what the thermometer is recording."

When asked what could be done to slow down global warming, Diffenbaugh said the reality was the world was going to need to supply a lot more energy in a more equitable manner without fossil fuels.

The weather conference brought weather broadcasters, scientists and media together for three days of meetings and outings. National weather reports were broadcast from the slopes of Heavenly Mountain Resorts during the conference.