Sometimes the laws of nature can be violated, but not to the detriment of the laws…
Usually that’s the case.
For example:
Have you tried falling off a tree lately?
Did you go upwards?
Hope not.
Then why do we have Presidential and Congressional candidates – boneheaded enough – like all the GOP candidates and even the speaker of the House, John Boehner wanting us to do just that?
Yesterday, the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, the country’s pre-eminent institution chartered to provide scientific advice to the US lawmakers of both sides of the ideological divide and subsequently to the citizens, to the public and the voters — had this to say: ”Climate change is occurring, is very likely caused by human activities, and poses significant risks for a broad range of human and natural systems.”
In the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, report titled “America’s Climate Choices,” a panel of scientific and policy experts also concludes that the risks of inaction far outweigh the risks or disadvantages of action. And the most sensible and urgently needed action, the panel says, is to put a rising price on carbon emissions, by means of a tax or cap-and-trade system. That would encourage innovation, research and a gradual shift away from the use of fossil carbon energy sources (oil, gas and coal) that are endangering the world.
None of this should come as a surprise. None of this is news. But it is only newsworthy, because the Republican Party, and the GOP leadership as well as the rank and file representatives, have moved so far from reality and responsibility in their approach to climate change that they are now on the fringes of the flat earth society.
And unfortunately they have hijacked the country and the US government to their place of no return…
Seizing on inevitable points of uncertainty in something as complex as climate science, and on misreported pseudo-scandals among a few scientists, Republican members of Congress, GOP Senators, the conservative Presidential candidates and other leaders pretend that climate change is a hoax, the insecurity it brings and incoming dangers are hypothetical, and the causes of it, maybe unproven and uncertain.
But here comes the National Research Council that says otherwise: “Although the scientific process is always open to new ideas and results, the fundamental causes and consequences of climate change have been established by many years of scientific research, are supported by many different lines of evidence, and have stood firm in the face of careful examination, repeated testing, and the rigorous evaluation of alternative theories and explanation.”
Climate-change deniers, in other words, are willfully ignorant, lost in wishful thinking, cynical or some combination of the three. And the report makes clear, that their recalcitrance is dangerous –
because the longer the US awaits to find consensus towards logic, according to the facts and the laws of nature, in order to eventually respond to climate change — the more insecurities we will experience, from a far catastrophic climate change and warming atmosphere. By avoiding action now, we ensure a deadly greenhouse gas effect in the near term, and major human loss of Life as well as planetary damage which is likely to be far more drastic.
The needed response will also surely be a whole lot cheaper and economically affordable today, than in a distant or near future. Certainly, after a time — to pass soonest — whatever we do will matter nought…
So please wake up and unfetter the peoples of these United States and their government to do something.
Anything…
Please let them act…
We need a responsible government acting in accord with the laws of nature.
We seek a proper response: And that response – the panel concluded – ought to include not only a strong policy to begin reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also a plan to begin adapting to climate change.
Adapting and mitigating towards the inexorable warming and catastrophic climate change, some of which is already inevitable and felt by anyone with a pulse. No more frivolous requests for more studies and questioning the laws of nature and science. No more demands for sceptic of Newtonian physics research please….
Yet we need and welcome more specific research. We need more disciplined research and applications, into climate & atmospheric science, alternative energies, earth science policy, active engagement in international efforts and international involvement in public policy in order to rein in and control climate change.
Surely the US leaders understand that given the global nature of the problem, the report says, U.S. action alone, cannot be sufficient, but “strong U.S. emission efforts will enhance our ability to influence other countries to do the same.”
Thank You.
Yours,
Pano
PS:
But here is what happens when Congress asks a question and gets an answer it doesn’t like.
The response came right away, from Texas Rep. Joe Barton, senior Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, provides a clue. “I see nothing substantive in this report that adds to the knowledge base necessary to make an informed decision about what steps — if any — should be taken to address climate change,” Barton told The New York Times.
In a perversely cynical way – if living inside a cuckoo’s nest or maybe inside a glass menagerie – he’s right. Because there is essentially nothing new, in the report, and that’s the main point. Every logical person, each single candidate for political office in the next cycle, including for the highest office – that of the president – should be versed with the laws of nature.
PS2:
And lest we get another lunatic fringe sceptic oil man and his sidekick – as in Cheney’s bush – in the White House, all the candidates must take a ”driving test.” A simple ”driving test” to see if they would be willing to drive off the cliff with all of us n the back seat.
We should see if they deny the laws of gravity and the simple science laws that say, that if they would drive off the cliff, chances are they’ll get their head bashed in and their brain pan will explode and be completely useless thereafter. They should be asked this and be given the opportunity to drive off. First Question: If and whether they agree or disagree with the fact that – usually – gravity takes over once you drive off the cliff and they lose traction with the ground. If the candidates for office believe that they will be soaring up like a hot air gas-bag balloon, instead of falling like a sack of rocks, – please – let them drive on…
Because if they fail this gravity denying test, well…. there is no need to worry anymore about them driving anyone
Because a scientific consensus of America’s premier scientific advisory group, as reflected in this report is science and laws of nature based, we should ask the questions. And if by some abstract sceptic basis they disagree, let them drive off.
Yet even the sane ones we should ask what they propose to do about the rising seas, spreading deserts and intensifying storms that, absent an immediate change in policy, loom as catastrophes on America’s horizon… and also take centre stage on the world’s hearts and minds.
Because if America wants to win anyone over they need to first obey the laws of nature and science.
Just the facts mum.
Just the damn facts – please.
PS3:
And maybe the Joe Bartons and the John Boehners of this world – oiled and feathered with oil money – want to drive you off the cliff, but we surely don’t.
To that end I offer an invitation to come participate in my speech tomorrow in Washington DC.
The speech title is: ”Energy Security for a New Millennium”
It will take place at the Marshal Fund building on R street in Dupont Circle and You are invited.
Please – Be there – sharp at 9am.
The Marshall Fund of the United States
1744 R Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
United States
See you there at 9am, Saturday morning, 21st of May 2011.
And it is telling that we speak at the Marshall Fund, because we now need another Marshal Fund style push to rescue our habitat, our home and allow us to survive. Because without engaging in this giant and winnable effort and financing it with Green renewable energy, we shall surely perish.
Simple as that.
Just the facts…
