NASA Says Global Warming "Not a Problem" as New Study Predicts "Disastrous Effects" Within Decade

Global warming is heating up. As Rod 2.0 reported last week, Washington will reject a G8 proposal with mandatory emissions targets. Instead, President George W. Bush has advanced greenhouse gas reductions that, according to critics, "does not include any specific targets to be met or penalties for failing to reduce emissions." Video at Media Matters.

Bush delivered his proposal on a day when major debate over global warming erupted at NASA, of all places, which is responsible for producing much of the satellite imagery and data we have on the trend. In a startling admission, Administrator Michael Griffin told NPR he had "no doubt that a trend of global warming exists" but was "not sure that it is fair to say that it is a problem we must wrestle with."

James Hansen, NASA's top climatologist, rejected Griffin's revisionism: "It was a shocking statement because of the level of ignorance it." Hansen was disturbed because NASA just released reported dramatic new data which suggests even "moderate additional" greenhouse emissions are likely to cause "dangerous consequences for the planet" especially at the polar ice caps.

With just 10 more years of "business as usual" emissions from the burning of coal, oil and gas, says the NASA/Columbia paper, "it becomes impractical" to avoid "disastrous effects."

NASA: Global Warming Not a Problem [Alalam]
ABC News Reported Bush Proposal [Media Matters]
Danger Point Closer Than Thought [ABC News]

Some Background ....

Administration Will Reject Climate Change Deal [R20]
NYC's Yellow Cabs Go Green [R20]
Warming Emissions Increase [R20]
Only 13 Percent of GOP Believe Warming [R20]
Cheney on Global Warming [R20]
Environment: Pharrell Concert, Exxon [R20]
Warming "Very Likely" Caused By Humans [R20]
White House Pressures Scientists [R20]

Comments

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