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They're ADMITTING to global warming? Nah...

04:01 / 03.06.02

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash91.htm

Thought this would spark some interest around here.

Less searchable M0rd4nt

07:41 / 03.06.02

Here's the article:

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN JUNE 02, 2002 18:04:09 ET XXXXX

U-TURN: BUSH ADMIN OUTLINES 'GLOBAL WARMING' EFFECTS ON AMERICA; ACKNOWLEDGES DAMAGE

In a stunning U-turn for the Bush administration, the United States has sent a climate report to the United Nations detailing "specific and far-reaching effects" that it says "global warming will inflict" on the American environment.

MORE

Also for the first time -- the White House places "most of the blame for recent global warming on human actions -- mainly the burning of fossil fuels that send heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere," the NEW YORK TIMES is planning to report on Monday Page Ones, according to publishing sources.

The United States will be substantially changed in the next few decades, claims the Bush report. The United States will "very likely" be seeing the "disruption of snow-fed water supplies, more stifling heat waves and the permanent disappearance of Rocky Mountain meadows and coastal marshes."

MORE

"The new report's predictions present a sharp contrast to the administration's previous statements on climate change, in which President Bush always spoke in generalities and stressed the need for much more research to resolve scientific questions."

The move puts a substantial distance between the administration and the energy industry and automakers.

Good grief, that's a turn up for the books. I wonder when the US auto industry is going to start yelling?

Going to have a look at the newspapers now- see if they say anything.

12:39 / 03.06.02

*blinks in disbelief* you mean... someone actually grew a brain about this? wow. At last.

13:25 / 03.06.02

Gee. So, er, what's brought about this dramatic turnaround?
Are they now going to abide by the whatyamacallit treaty that they pulled out of the other year? (precise terminology there revealing my intimate knowledge of political matters)

We're The Great Old Ones Now

13:43 / 03.06.02

No. It's a snow job. From the New York Times (you have to register to access articles, so this is the homepage):

The new document, "U.S. Climate Action Report 2002," strongly concludes that no matter what is done to cut emissions in the future, nothing can be done about the environmental consequences of several decades' worth of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases already in the atmosphere.

Its emphasis on adapting to the inevitable fits in neatly with the climate plan Mr. Bush announced in February. He called for voluntary measures that would allow gas emissions to continue to rise, with the goal of slowing the rate of growth.

And even better:

The report emphasizes that global warming carries potential benefits for the nation, including increased agricultural and forest growth from longer growing seasons, and from more rainfall and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

And for your delectation:

A senior administration official involved in climate policy played down the significance of the report, explaining that policies on emissions or international treaties would not change as a result.

13:44 / 03.06.02

No, the Bush administration is still denying the need for emissions limits, instead calling for voluntary reductions.

May a malaria mosquito visit the Western White House one day soon.

14:14 / 03.06.02

This is fascinating, and - I notice - doesn't mention the specifics of the role of the US in this 'human' action. It's particularly fascinating considering the recent swing in (almost certainly unfounded parts of) popular science towards publishing things that argue that there is nothing to fear from Global Warning.

14:40 / 03.06.02

hmmm...when I was first reading this, part of me was thinking that this was some hoax or embellishment or something. Figures that this would be said when there's pointed support for the continuance of methods that bring gases, etc. What is it now...embrace global warming?

Is there any way that this could info could be potentially used by people to force industry to march back a bit? I guess the upper eschelon figure that even if they could live in bubbles while everyone fries, it still would be the same old miserable existance.

16:36 / 03.06.02

The Wall Street Journal said we could expect two positive effects from global warming: increased crop yields and increasing forest growth. So yes, the spin masters are at work.

12:57 / 04.06.02

So ... this esentially amounts to "hey everybody, we've fucked up. It's far too late to do anything now though, so let's just enjoy the sunshine for a bit and die" then? fu.ck.ing hell...

13:20 / 04.06.02

In my view, the whole issue will not be taken seriously until a couple of US cities are lost or at least threatened due to rising sea levels.

Murray Hamhandler

13:35 / 04.06.02

"Increased crop yields and increasing forest growth," as the flesh smokes and curls back from our bones.

18:40 / 04.06.02

From the Associated Press:

'White House warns of climate change'

President Bush dismissed on Tuesday a report put out by his administration warning that human activities are behind climate change that is having significant effects on the environment.

The report to the United Nations, written by the Environmental Protection Agency, puts most of the blame for recent global warming on the burning of fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the environment.
…

"I read the report put out by the bureaucracy," Bush said dismissively Tuesday when asked about the EPA report, adding that he still opposes the Kyoto treaty.'

But it was his 'bureaucracy'...

19:00 / 04.06.02

Doh.

What are the odds of a US president actually commiting to sorting this shit out?

It's a good job Mars is looking like such a good real estate deal.

20:55 / 04.06.02

In my view, the whole issue will not be taken seriously until a couple of US cities are lost or at least threatened due to rising sea levels.

nah, we'll blame that on Pakistan.

21:51 / 04.06.02

I love that 'Kyoto is wrong because it would hurt the economy', but in the same breath, companies will adopt voluntary reductions, because they're just nice guys who don't [i]really[/i] have any interest in profit. They care about the community! It all makes sense.