People will shake their heads in disbelief, in future years, that anyone could have questioned this scientific reality, just as we laugh now at anyone who continues to think the Earth is flat. But the emergence of full-throated, know-nothing opposition to doing anything about global warming by the extreme right in this country, combined with timidity and lack of imagination in the center and fuzzy liberals, has for now paralyzed any near-term action to block global warming by the United States.
And it is precisely near-term action that we need if we are to avoid this oncoming disaster at any reasonable cost. The sooner we start turning around the global increase in greenhouse gas emissions, the safer we will be and the less it will cost.
What the problem requires today is action now by China and the United States. They are the two largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. But neither has yet taken significant national action. China is wrestling with what to do. There will probably be no serious decision until the new paramount leader takes office next year. Read the full report here.
Source: by Peter Goldmark, Trib Live.com.
