In a blog posting by Greenpeace, the story from the U.K. about the controversial nature of Al Gore's movie "An Inconvenient Truth," was represented . The judge in the case finally ruled that the movie can be featured in the school environment, with access to other information concerning the contentious sections of the movie, provided. Representation of differing views is fair, however scientific consensus surrounding global warming has been reached. During a time when the general public may not know what to believe, these contradicting views may have a negative influence on public consensus surrounding this issue. However, not allowing access to such views is not the correct path either. Heightened awareness surrounding global warming must occur.
Some examples of the scientific consensus includes the connection between rise in carbon dioxide levels, in direct coherence with temperature rise overtime. Cynthia Kuo, Craig Lindberg, and David J. Thomson theorized a relationship between carbon dioxide and temperature. Keeling utilized models and measurements taken at the pinnacle of Mauna Loa beginning in 1958. These measurements confirmed the theory of Kuo, Lindberg, and Thomson. Scientific consensus surrounds the unity present between carbon dioxide and temperature, evident in the Keeling Curve.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Emergence of a Bi-Partisan Effort to Combat Climate Change
In a recent article in the NY Times concerning the GOP candidates for the 2008 Presidential Election, differing views surrounding global warming were represented. In the past, Republicans seemed to be labeled as not "believing" in global warming. However, beginning before other Republicans, McCain in 2003, definitely acknowledged global warming. Along with Democratic Senator Lieberman, he put forth a bi-partisan effort to cap and trade emissions of greenhouse gases. This cap and trade concept is exactly the type of system in place in the Kyoto Protocol. In an op-ed article that appeared in the L.A. Times in 2003, McCain stipulated his views on climate change.
The other candidates' views represented in this article all acknowledge that global warming is occurring, however do not possess clear or helpful ideas to remedy the issue. Giuliani and Romney support alternative energy projects, however this alone will not aid the issue of climate change. A cap and trade program coupled with other efforts like the utilization of alternative sources of energy and other technologies, must occur.
This article assets that McCain acknowledged global warming, beginning as early as 2001. He says that he supports entering a cap and trade international environmental treaty, however only if India and China do so as well. In an article from September in the NY Times, China stipulated that if the United States leads the way in a treaty like Kyoto, that they will follow in these footsteps. “China expressed frustration with efforts by the industrialized nations to impose an emissions plan on her country…” If The U.S. enters a treaty like Kyoto in the future, other countries will follow so that this global environmental problem can be met on an equitable plane.
The other candidates' views represented in this article all acknowledge that global warming is occurring, however do not possess clear or helpful ideas to remedy the issue. Giuliani and Romney support alternative energy projects, however this alone will not aid the issue of climate change. A cap and trade program coupled with other efforts like the utilization of alternative sources of energy and other technologies, must occur.
This article assets that McCain acknowledged global warming, beginning as early as 2001. He says that he supports entering a cap and trade international environmental treaty, however only if India and China do so as well. In an article from September in the NY Times, China stipulated that if the United States leads the way in a treaty like Kyoto, that they will follow in these footsteps. “China expressed frustration with efforts by the industrialized nations to impose an emissions plan on her country…” If The U.S. enters a treaty like Kyoto in the future, other countries will follow so that this global environmental problem can be met on an equitable plane.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
New Leadership Needed for Climate Change
In Thomas L. Friedman's recent op-ed post in the New York Times, he highlights Al Gore as championing leadership for climate change and disparages George W. Bush as not taking any action concerning this issue. Gore received very recent recognition for building awareness and acceptance of this issue by jointly receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. (He shares this award with the IPCC or Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.) Friedman quotes David Rothkopf, "Gore lost the election and had to figure out what to do with the rest of his life. He took the initiative to get the country and the world to focus on a common threat — climate change. Bush won the election and for the first year really didn’t know what to do with it. When, on 9/11, we and the world were suddenly faced with a common threat — terrorism and Al Qaeda — the whole world was ready to line up behind him, but time and again he just divided us at home and abroad.”
Rothkopf's quote illustrates the differences in the policy mind sets of W. Bush and Gore. The United States is a world leader and therefore must command this position. In a recent NY Times article entitled "At Its Session on Warming, U.S. Is Seen to Stand Apart," John M. Broder extends this concept further. The world faces the "common threat" as stipulated by Rothkopf, of climate change, however does not take a stand to lead in remedying this issue. In this article, an environmental leader from China voices that, should the United States take steps toward an emissions cutting plan, then China will also pursue legislation in this form. However, the current administration chooses to take a back seat in terms of the current global warming legislation, The Kyoto Protocol.
Instating new leadership is obviously necessary for any successful action in terms of climate change. Friedman states that Democratic Candidates for 2008, lack "real passion" surrounding the issue. However, many candidates platforms conceive positive issue stances in terms of successful global warming legislation. For example, Barack Obama supports a cap and trade international environmental legislation, like Kyoto, as well as domestic environmental measures.
The scientific consensus surrounding global warming is alive. The choice the world faces is to do something about the problem, or to sit back and deal with future consequences. It is up to American voters to elect a candidate who will pursue this issue with utmost perseverance so that the United States possesses the opportunity to take a leadership position to combat global warming, so that the rest of the world follows.
Rothkopf's quote illustrates the differences in the policy mind sets of W. Bush and Gore. The United States is a world leader and therefore must command this position. In a recent NY Times article entitled "At Its Session on Warming, U.S. Is Seen to Stand Apart," John M. Broder extends this concept further. The world faces the "common threat" as stipulated by Rothkopf, of climate change, however does not take a stand to lead in remedying this issue. In this article, an environmental leader from China voices that, should the United States take steps toward an emissions cutting plan, then China will also pursue legislation in this form. However, the current administration chooses to take a back seat in terms of the current global warming legislation, The Kyoto Protocol.
Instating new leadership is obviously necessary for any successful action in terms of climate change. Friedman states that Democratic Candidates for 2008, lack "real passion" surrounding the issue. However, many candidates platforms conceive positive issue stances in terms of successful global warming legislation. For example, Barack Obama supports a cap and trade international environmental legislation, like Kyoto, as well as domestic environmental measures.
The scientific consensus surrounding global warming is alive. The choice the world faces is to do something about the problem, or to sit back and deal with future consequences. It is up to American voters to elect a candidate who will pursue this issue with utmost perseverance so that the United States possesses the opportunity to take a leadership position to combat global warming, so that the rest of the world follows.
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