[Vision2020] Global warming approaching critical point

[Tbertruss at aol.com]

Dan, Wayne et. al.

See info below at bottom.  Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, a man the Bush 
administration backed to head a panel on climate change, said the world has "already 
reached the level of dangerous concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere." 


There is no doubt the earth is warming and significantly.  There is no doubt 
that human activity is significantly increasing the CO2 levels in the 
atmosphere.  Of course there are uncertainties about the future of these developments. 
 Some climatologists think a quick warming could trigger a new ice age.  But 
the greenhouse effect is proven science.  Investigate the temperature on the 
surface of Venus, for example.  

To not take action to reduce the potential disastrous effects of human 
activity on the planet when there is significant scientific evidence that these 
risks are within the realm of resonable probability is irresponsible.  And to 
claim that the scientists who weigh in on global warming are biased as an argument 
to not take the threat seriously does not fit the facts.  There are numerous 
scientists who have spoken out quite strongly about the risks of global 
warming due to human activity who have done so at potential risk to their personal 
gain.

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Institute for Public Accuracy 
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045 
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa at accuracy.org 
___________________________________________________ 

         PM Monday, January 24, 2005 

         The U.S. and the World: Interviews Available 

        * Global Warming -- Blow to White House Stance 
        * World Social Forum 

The White House is on the defensive about global warming today in the wake of 
statements by Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, head of the official U.N. 
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, who said he now believes the world has "already 
reached the level of dangerous concentrations of carbon dioxide in the 
atmosphere." 

Pachauri's statements -- which included a call for immediate "very deep" cuts 
in pollution as necessary for humanity's survival -- are acutely embarrassing 
to the Bush administration because it strongly backed Pachauri for his 
current post. 

The following analysts are available for interviews: 

ROSS GELBSPAN, ross at TheWorld.com, http://www.heatisonline.org/ 
     Gelbspan is author of the recent book "Boiling Point," which includes a 
set of three policy strategies to propel a very rapid global energy 
transition. He said today: "Dr. Pachauri is echoing the findings of a growing number of 
climate scientists -- many of whom say it may already be too late to avert 
very serious climate impacts.... At the same time, the U.S. has resisted any 
references to climate change at a global conference on disaster preparedness -- 
and has cut funding for more than 100 climate research stations despite 
President Bush's declaration that the issue needs more study. Given the urgent need 
for an immediate, worldwide transition to clean energy, the administration's 
persistent denial of the climate crisis is morphing from an instance of national 
embarrassment into a global nightmare of indefinite duration." 

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V2020 Post by Ted Moffett
    
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