A river winding through a red rock canyon below a dam
Four Degrees

About

About Four Degrees

Four Degrees explores issues in environmental geoscience published in the scientific literature, discussed in the political chamber and found in the media, and examines policy themes from an inter-disciplinary perspective. We discuss four degrees of geoscience: environmental geochemistry, climate change, policy and sustainability; and bring together ideas and concepts from these fields at the interface between science and society. In November 2012, the World Bank published a report outlining the risks of a four degrees warmer world. The report, based on a review of the recent scientific literature, summarised the likely devastating impacts on the world, and particularly on developing nations, of such a warming. With the international community pledging to keep average warming below 2°C, the more extreme scenarios could yet be avoided if appropriate action is taken.

About the writers

Flo is a Policy Assistant at The Geological Society with experience and interests in Water Geochemistry and Environmental Geoscience. She helps to promote the Environment Network and interdisciplinary approaches to geological problems and policy issues. Tweets as @flo_dem.

Marion is a postdoctoral researcher at Imperial College London, embarking on a science communication career and about to start an MSc in Science Communication. She holds a PhD in Paleoclimatology and Environmental Geochemistry and has worked in China as a climate modeller. She is particularly interested in climate change research and environmental policy. Tweets as @mle_marion.

The opinions expressed in the Four Degrees blog are those of the authors, whose views may differ from those of the European Geosciences Union.

About EGU

The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is the leading organisation for Earth, planetary and space science research in Europe. With our partner organisations worldwide, we foster fundamental geoscience research, alongside applied research that addresses key societal and environmental challenges. Our vision is to realise a sustainable and just future for humanity and for the planet.

It is a non-profit international union of scientists with about 23,500 members from all over the world. Membership is open to individuals who are professionally engaged in or associated with geosciences and planetary and space sciences and related studies, including students and retired seniors.

The EGU publishes a number of diverse scientific journals, which use an innovative open access format, and organises topical meetings, and education and outreach activities. It also honours scientists with a number of awards and medals. The annual EGU General Assembly is the largest and most prominent European geosciences event, attracting over 22,000 scientists from all over the world in the year 2026. The meeting’s sessions cover a wide range of topics, including volcanology, planetary exploration, the Earth’s internal structure and atmosphere, climate, as well as energy and resources.

The EGU was established in September 2002 as a merger of the European Geophysical Society (EGS) and the European Union of Geosciences (EUG), and has headquarters in Munich, Germany.