Scientists Update US Senators on Global Warming
Experts Disagree on Best Course of Action on Climate Change
Feb 26, 2009
In testimony, R.K. Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, told EPW that Congress needs to act now. “Delayed emission reductions significantly constrain opportunities to achieve lower stabilization levels and increase the risk of more severe climate change impacts,” he said in the hearing. According to the scientist who holds a doctorate, by 2050, 6.9 billion people would live in stressed river basins. He said about 20 percent to 30 percent of worldwide species would be extinct, and agricultural yields would drop by 50 percent in some African countries.
Pachauri testified that stringent action today would cost about 3 percent of the global gross domestic product in 2030. Action would lead to an increase in economic output and employment with a consequent increase in human welfare. He added that action against carbon dioxide emissions also would lead to health benefits.
Not All Scientists Agree
Despite the benefits touted by Pachauri, not all scientists agree with him. William Happer, a physics professor at the Cyrus Fogg Brackett department at Princeton University, argued that increased carbon dioxide would help mankind, not harm it.
In his testimony, Happer compared the actions of Congress on carbon dioxide to action on Prohibition. Deeply sincere people thought they were saving humanity from the evils of alcohol just as people believe they are saving humanity today from carbon, but Prohibition was a mistake and led to organized crime, he said.
Happer said increased carbon dioxide emissions would be good for the world. He based his statement on evidence collected regarding water vapor and clouds in the atmosphere. Observations suggest that there isn’t positive feedback from water, but a negative one, he added. Water vapor might diminish the small global warming expected from carbon dioxide, not increase it, Happer explained. He followed satellite measurements of infrared radiation escaping from the earth into outer space.
In addition, Happer explained about historical evidence of when the climate on the earth changed several times. Similar and larger warming periods have occurred in the last 10,000 years, and the current warming trend is attributable to natural causes. He noted that in the last 10 years, the world has been in a slight cooling period.
Carbon Dioxide Isn’t Pollutant
Happer testified that carbon dioxide shouldn’t be considered a pollutant like carcinogens or heavy metals. Humans exhale about 4 percent of carbon dioxide or 40,000 parts per million. That is about 100 times what is in the atmosphere, he said. Navy submarines keep carbon dioxide levels to 8,000 parts per million with no ill effects.
Plants need more carbon dioxide. Air enriched with carbon dioxide helps plants by:
- Making them more drought tolerant
- Allowing them to take in less air
- Allowing them to reduce water vapor released
- Decreasing air pores on their leaves
- Making them healthier and providing more food
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) argued that a cap and trade policy to control carbon dioxide emissions and reduce climate change would be ineffective and costly. However, Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said addressing climate change would create jobs, reinvigorate the economy and make the United States more energy independent.
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