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The Politics of Global Warming
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Location: Blogs The Green Zone an environmental blog |
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| Posted by: Dave Rhea |
2/4/2007 8:27 PM |
Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) must feel like a lonely guy these days. Many who follow environmental issues know that Inhofe has been a vehement denier of climate change. Just recently, the former chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee under Republican leadership claimed that, in the face of a near consensus among the world’s scientific community, that there is "no convincing scientific evidence.” In fact, he said that global warming is “the biggest hoax ever perpetrated on mankind” – and picked quite a unique bogeyman to blame when he said, “"We all know the Weather Channel would like to have people afraid all the time." Really? The Weather Channel? Go figure.
But stray holdout politicians aside, the rest of the world is realizing that something horrible has been happening – not just in the sky, but also in Washington D.C. This week, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, held hearings concerning allegations that the Bush Administration has been misleading the public about the threat of global warming. He claims that they have routinely edited out global warming information in scientific studies. Waxman alleged specifically that Philip Cooney, Bush’s former head of the Council on Environmental Quality, who now works as a lobbyist for ExxonMobil, had often imposed his own views on the reports of climate change scientists.
Waxman said, “We know that the White House possesses documents that contain evidence of an attempt by senior Administration officials to mislead the public by injecting doubt into the science of global warming and minimizing the potential dangers. I believe Congress is entitled to these documents.”
Beyond White House shenanigans, tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 2), people who are concerned about a radical shift in our climate will have a big wake-up call. A report by 2,500 scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will publish a report that says it is “very likely” that humans burning increasing amounts of fossil fuels has been the main cause of warming in the past 50 years.
From Reuters: “A U.N. panel on climate change is set to give its strongest warning yet that human use of fossil fuels is stoking global warming, informed sources said… World governments should take heed of the most wide-ranging scientific assessment so far of a human link to global warming and agree on prompt action to slow the trend, the chairman of a U.N. climate report said on Monday.”
From USA Today: “The IPCC panel reports that rising sea levels would threaten low-lying Pacific islands, coasts from Bangladesh to Florida and cities from Shanghai to Buenos Aires.
USA Today also said the report is “the most complete overview of climate change science…projects more droughts, rains, shrinking Arctic ice and glaciers and rising sea levels to 2100 and cautions that the effects of a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will last far longer.”
So what happens now? Do we hold factories responsible for the stuff they pump out of their smokestacks? Do we force automakers into stricter efficiency standard for automobiles? Do we invest heavily on renewable and clean sources of energy? Something’s got to give, one way or another.
The politics of global warming is a hot topic right now. Politicians and many in the public are bracing for the release of information and series of committee hearings that will force a national conversation on climate change to the forefront. Some of the events in the next days and weeks will likely bring the debate to a boil as more Americans – no matter where they fall on the political spectrum – will be paying prolonged attention to this global menace.
Next week, I am going to compile a list of ways you, at home in your everyday life, can separate yourself from being part of the problem. Your practical and simple actions can make a difference, according to a Who’s Who list of local leaders and experts. Check back here to see who’s saying what… |
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Comments (7)
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Re: The Politics of Global Warming |
By Weather Watcher on
2/1/2007 9:20 PM |
| I think the Senator has a valid argument for The Weather Channel. I'm sick of Ted Turner scaring the hell out of everyone with the station's hit show, "It could happen tomorrow." Can the world's climate really change as fast as Turner's mood can swing? I doubt it. |
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Re: The Politics of Global Warming |
By Dave Rhea on
2/2/2007 8:38 AM |
I understand the tendancy to blame the media when you find information coming at you that doesn't line up with current tradition, or contradicts the guys on talk radio. May I suggest a good book on that subject: "Attack the Messenger - How Politicians Turn You Against The Media," by Craig Crawford.
Personally, I find climate disaster much scarier than Ted Turner.
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Re: The Politics of Global Warming |
By Jessi on
2/2/2007 11:23 AM |
| Yes, yes and yes in regards to holding factories responsible, having stricter regulations, and investing in alternative sources of energy. We have clearly been forging the wrong path and it's time to steer ourselves in the right direction - no matter what it takes! I truly believe that we are creative and resourceful people who can heal our planet. We've been through worse - the depression, wars that affected how we live in the homeland - we even came over here and built this country, spilling blood along the way. We've done a lot of hard things, we can do this. |
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Re: The Politics of Global Warming |
By Truth_Vigil on
3/9/2007 10:57 PM |
| The problem is, we need to turn it around immediately, as of yesterday... the coastal flooding and scorching climates are going to happen sooner than we've planned, as it seems the studies keep accelerating the timeline. But people keep denying it, stalling... What is the most convincing way to get this message across? And where do we start? |
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Re: The Politics of Global Warming |
By dr on
3/14/2007 9:07 AM |
Your all as nutty as a fruitcake. I'll tell you a real disaster that has already occurred; this blog.
If you want to put your faith in the drivel spewed forth by the U.N., there is little hope for you. I think you should pack your bags and immediately begin your search for higher ground. It's only a matter of time before Florida is submerged. I implore you to act now before it's to late. Please sign over your soon to be worthless real estate holdings to me on your way out of the state. It's the least I can do.
Of course, if you take stock in these whack jobs, when you get to higher ground the next problem will greet you. The earth will burst into flames.
Lord help us from your ilk.................. |
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Re: The Politics of Global Warming |
By Dave Rhea on
3/14/2007 11:04 AM |
Nice job... name calling helps differentiate you from the "whackjobs."
Thanks to you, I have changed my mind. Well, maybe not.
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Re: The Politics of Global Warming |
By dr on
3/15/2007 7:20 AM |
| Sometimes the truth hurts. For the record, I would not expect to change the mind of anyone who wears blinders and only looks at one side of the story. Have a nice panic-driven, stress-filled life. |
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