If, however, fossil fuel emissions are not soon abated but instead continue in a range from constant emissions to that increasing by 2 %yr-1, then extraction through technological means required to avert catastrophic climate change will be in the range of ~595 to 1530 PgC, at a cost of $89-535 trillion, or $1.1-6.7 trillion per year if spread over 80 years. For reference, total world military spending in 2016 was 1.7 trillion.7 For the latter scenarios, my colleagues and I were forced to conclude that “rather than the world being able to buy its way out of climate change, continued high emissions would likely force humanity to live with climate change running out of control with all the consequences that would entail.” Id. at 16. Based on the above, I must conclude, again, that it is critically important that fossil fuel emissions be phased out as rapidly as possible, and that the commencement of serious emissions reductions be undertaken without further delay. The carbon majors must be held to account for their historic emissions. But with respect to what should be sought in remedy, I note that, in my expert opinion and for all practical purposes, feasible carbon drawdown efforts can avert catastrophic climate impacts only where such necessary efforts are additional to a rapid phase out of fossil fuel emissions. Accordingly, I urge the Commission to address both prongs of this ultimate problem with courage and determination. Thank you for your consideration. Stockholm International Peace Res. Inst., World Military Expenditures 1988-2016, at www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2017/world-military-spending-increases-usaand-europe. 7 Page 6 of 7