The Daily Background
| Major report this week to provide clearest evidence yet of climate change
by Arlen Parsa
A major international report on global warming is set to be published on Friday which will predict some of the most dire consequences yet if emissions caps and other pro-active environmental measures are not imposed. NYT:
Scientists involved in writing or reviewing the report say it is nearly certain to conclude that there is at least a 90 percent chance that human-caused emissions are the main factor in warming since 1950. The report is the fourth since 1990 from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which is overseen by the United Nations.
The report, several of the authors said, will describe a growing body of evidence that warming is likely to cause a profound transformation of the planet.
The article continues, noting potential political impact:
Achim Steiner, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, said the findings presented Friday should lead decision makers to accelerate efforts to slash carbon emissions and to help people in vulnerable parts of the world prepare for climate change.
“These findings should strengthen the resolve of governments to act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and put in place the medium- to longer-term strategies necessary to avert dangerous climate change,†Mr. Steiner said.
Later this year, the House will create a special committee, separate from the Committee on the Environment and Public Works, to fight global warming under mandate from Speaker Pelosi. Several states are also looking into following California’s lead in enacting legislation which would impose emissions caps on major polluters.
I’ve heard typical anti-government conservatives get all in a huff about how government regulation is terrible and how there has got to be some other sort of way to reverse global warming (if it is real and caused by humans, they are careful to note).
Anybody who doesn’t believe governmental regulation on this issue clearly doesn’t appreciate the direness of the situation at hand. Not to paraphrase the President or anything… (Democrats don’t appreciate the danger which America is in, etc).
