2007 EPA Global Warming Report
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 9:05AM | Share Article Bush-era Global Warming Report Released
by Deb Powers
In sum, the Administrator is proposing to find that elevated levels of GHG (greenhouse gas) concentrations may reasonably be anticipated to endanger the public welfare.
Observed Changes to the Environment from Global Warming
These are changes that have already been observed - change that can be directly attributed to global warming.
- Changes in precipitation patterns - more rain in some places, less rain in others, longer rainy seasons, etc
- Coastal sea levels have risen as much as .75 meters
- More extreme high AND low temperatures throughout the U.S.
- Changing growing seasons and regions for many crops
- Increased instances of insect outbreaks that affect crops
- Higher rates of wildfire outbreaks
Projected Changes to the Environment Due to Global Warming
- Increased coastal flooding from storm surges
- An increase in vector-borne diseases
- Increased interior flooding from run-off and increased precipitation
- An increase in heat-related deaths in dry, hot areas
- A possible decrease in cold-related deaths
- More intense weather events like hurricanes
- More severe and longer heat waves
- An increased strain on water resources in vulnerable areas
- Increased precipitation run-off
- Decrease in air quality, particularly in urban areas, with resulting increase in the severity of respiratory diseases among the population
The report is frightening, but the truly disturbing part is the fact that it was suppressed in an effort to cripple policy decisions. Why would someone want to hide the fact that these changes - whether or not one agrees that they are caused by man - endanger this entire country in ways that mot people don't even consider? The answer is simple of course - it's all about money.
Exceprts from this report are being used to support the push for the Climate Change Bill - aka the Cap and Trade Bill. The opposition to that bill focuses largely on how much money it will cost to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gasses on our environment, and to retool our society to operate in ways that decrease the amount of greenhouse gas that we put into the atmosphere. Withholding the report disguises the fact that this issue is not about money. It is not about who caused global warming and whether we should do something about it. It is not even about saving the planet from some far-off doom at our own hands.
It is, pure and simple, about saving lives and defending our country from the ravages of those who only care about the money. And when it comes to saving lives or saving money, I'll take lives every time.
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