Global Warming...New Report...and it ain't happy news

Mr. Samuelson wrote:

Policies motivated by political gain will inflict public pain. Why should anyone applaud?

This could serve as a blanket condemnation of politicians in general, on the whole gamut of "hot button" topics, not just global warming. Politicians are absolutely necessary to the process of implementing and maintaining the social contract. They are not, however, to be trusted when they feel their public image is in the balance. They bear close watching, constant and vigilant supervision.

The remark about those who "are not hysterical about the global warming panic" was gratuitous and unnecessary--it does nothing to help the debate, and definitely lowers its tone. As for Mr. Samuelson's piece, it is congent in its condemnation of political grandstanding. It is not, however, reliable as scientific review. Although Mr. Samuelson was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1998 as a commentator, there is no reason to assume that his speculations on the topic carry more weight than the opinions of scientists who study the climate for a living.

Europe is the citadel of hypocrisy. Considering Europeans' contempt for the United States and George Bush for not embracing the Kyoto Protocol, you'd expect that they would have made major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions -- the purpose of Kyoto. Well, not exactly. From 1990 (Kyoto's base year for measuring changes) to 2002, global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas, increased 16.4 percent, reports the International Energy Agency. The U.S. increase was 16.7 percent, and most oof Europe hasn't done much better.

Or, could it just be that a bit more research is needed?

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0630/p01s02-usgn.html

Well, personally, I find this man's thinking more palatable than the doom and gloom presented in your Beeb article.

Just my opinion, of course.

Arnie tells Bush to face up to global warming
02/07/2005 - 20:04:36 The Republican governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, today sent a robust message to US President George Bush to face up to the reality of global warming.

The Republican governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, today sent a robust message to US President George Bush to face up to the reality of global warming.

Climate change is at the top of the agenda for next week's G8 summit in Gleneagles, but reports suggest that Mr Bush is blocking a deal on action to tackle it, with some commentators even predicting the other seven nations may agree a statement excluding the US rather than leave Scotland without an accord.

Leaked drafts of the proposed communique on climate change appear to suggest that Washington is unwilling even to sign up to a document which states that global warming is occurring or that human activity is responsible for it.

Without mentioning his president by name, Mr Schwarzenegger used an article in tomorrow's Independent on Sunday to send a clear message of his disagreement with Mr Bush's stance.

"The debate is over," wrote the Governor of the US's largest and most economically powerful state.

"We know the science. We see the threat posed by changes in our climate. And we know the time for action is now."

Schwarzenegger pointedly called on "governments everywhere" to join action to combat climate change.

And he insisted - in contradiction to Mr Bush's stated position - that such action will boost, rather than damage, the US economy.

He added: "Global warming threatens California's water supply, public health, agriculture, coastlines and forests - our entire economy and way of life.

"We have no choice but to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Mr Schwarzenegger highlighted California's development of hydrogen fuel technology and renewable energy sources under his administration, as well as measures to reduce engine emissions and cut electricity use in state facilities.

By 2050, California aims to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels - a target even more ambitious than the 60% goal set by Tony Blair for the UK.

Mr Schwarzenegger wrote: "These steps are great for the environment but great for our economy, too.

"Many people have falsely assumed that you have to choose between protecting the environment and protecting the economy.

"Nothing could be further from the truth. In California, we will do both."

JustWonders wrote:

Well, personally, I find this man's thinking more palatable than the doom and gloom presented in your Beeb article.

Just my opinion, of course.

Finding something palatable is, well, one way of picking who/what to believe.