Opinions Change on Global Warming
Howard Ris, President of the Union of Concerned Scientists, an Earth Share of Washington member organization, issued a statement last Thursday (October 30, 2003) acknowledging a positive shift in the way the U.S. Senate views global climate change. Referring to a vote on the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act, which the Senate defeated 55-43, Ris points out that similar legislation five years ago was defeated 95-0.
Read this statement by Howard Ris, President, Union of Concerned Scientists regarding this historic vote.
"Today's vote on the Climate Stewardship Act represents a sea change in the political climate on global warming. Although the legislation did not pass, the vote shows that the U.S. Senate is catching up with the scientific consensus that climate change is a serious threat. The senators who supported the legislation understand that to avert global warming's worst impacts, we must begin reducing emissions of heat-trapping gases now. Just as an oil tanker must reverse its engines for many miles to stop, slowing climate change will require a long, sustained effort."