Sea level rise of 5 meters in one century? Even if most scientists will not say so publicly, that catastrophe is a real possibility according to the director of NASA’s Goddard Institute Of Space Studies.

It may seem like I single Hansen out for recommended reading. But that’s only because he

• is the nation’s top climatologist
• writes prolifically
• speaks with unusual bluntness for a scientist
• has been more right than just about any climate scientist

He has written a terrific piece for the open-access Environmental Research Letters on “Scientific Reticence and Sea Level Rise“:

I suggest that a “scientific reticence” is inhibiting the communication of a threat of a potentially large sea level rise. Delay is dangerous because of system inertias that could create a situation with future sea level changes out of our control. I argue for calling together a panel of scientific leaders to hear evidence and issue a prompt plain-written report on current understanding of the sea level change issue.

I could not agree more. In researching my book, Hell and High Water, many leading climate scientists spoke to me candidly off the record that they share Hansen’s fear. Fortunately, more and more are speaking out.

Hansen is especially concerned that sea level rise is nonlinear:

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Crafting Biofuel Rules With Eye on Environment – Reuters. “In March, European Union leaders agreed to set a binding target for biofuels to make up at least 10 percent of petrol and diesel used by vehicles by 2020.” And the law contains specific provisions to ensure the biofuels were “sustainable” and to promote “second generation” biofuels, so-called “cellulosic ethanol” from non-corn sources. Our response: “From the US perspective, we think some of the sustainability criteria — you’re tying yourself in knots over [it] …. I think it’s going to be enormously difficult to figure that out.” Well, yes, being unsustainabile is easy, but self-destructive.

Costa Rice Aims to Win “Carbon Neutral” Nation Race – Reuters. “The country generates 78 percent of its energy with hydroelectric power and another 18 percent by wind or geothermally. It now plans to cut emissions from transport, farming and industry.” Yet another country the U.S. could learn a thing or two from.

China ready to take global warming step — The Times Online. “The Chinese Government is close to dropping tariffs [some up to 16%] on technologies that increase energy efficiency and decrease pollution in what would be the country’s biggest move towards tackling global warming.” Some day there will be a story reporting the U.S.’s big move toward tackling climate change, but that will probably have to wait two years.

There are but a few true experts on turkey crap and its potential as an alternative energy source. Climate Progress, however, works hard to keep current on all potential climate solutions (it is a dirty job). Indeed, we have previously blogged on the subject.

So when the Associated Press needs a quote on a new 55-megawatt poop-to-energy plant in Minnesota, they know who to call:

Joseph Romm, a former top Energy Department official under Clinton and author of the global warming book “Hell and High Water,” agreed, saying the plant would be considered greenhouse-gas neutral.

“Obviously there aren’t enough turkeys to generate enough poop to power a nation,” Romm said. “On the scale of things, it’s not a game-changer. … It’s certainly more good than bad.“

So the next time some global warming Denier tells you Climate Progress doesn’t know sh*t, give them this link.