By Glen Meakem
Published in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review
July 5, 2009

Four hundred years ago, astronomer Galileo Galilei and philosopher Francis Bacon changed the scientific process forever. Before them, science was about interpreting nature in light of the works of Aristotle and the Bible to maintain an orthodox ideology of how the universe works.

Galileo argued indirectly (he was under house arrest for his views) and Bacon argued directly that although religious texts and traditions offered lasting insight on ethics and salvation, scientific theories had to be proven by observed facts.

These theories would necessarily change as new facts became apparent. This modern scientific process worked, leading to discoveries, technological innovations and economic growth beyond anything conceivable in the 17th century.

In recent years, Democratic Party leaders including Barack Obama have stated that they favor basing public policy on science, not ideology. In April, Obama said “the days of science taking a back seat to ideology are over. … To undermine scientific integrity is to undermine our democracy.”

But President Obama and the Democrats have little interest in scientific integrity regarding man-made global warming. The Democrats’ leadership last month rammed a 1,500-page “cap-and-trade” bill through the House. Democrats claim it will serve to reduce emissions of “greenhouse gases” — especially carbon dioxide (CO2) — which is said to cause global warming.

The Senate will consider the legislation this fall, where its future is not certain. But, if passed, it would cap and then reduce the overall amount of CO2 emitted by the American economy, requiring a 17 percent cut in emissions by 2020 and an 83 percent reduction by 2050.

Unfortunately, the proposed legislation is terrible for our economy. It justifies vast increases in government regulation and imposes a giant new tax on businesses that will be passed on to consumers through higher prices. President Obama himself said that every American’s energy bills would “necessarily skyrocket” if his plan becomes law. Studies estimate that the average American family would pay approximately $3,000 more each year for energy. The National Association of Manufacturers estimates the new law will eliminate 4 million American jobs.

If “cap and trade” becomes law, all of this economic pain will result in no environmental gain. Hard data don’t support the man-made global warming theory. Yes, real data from planet Earth indicates that global average temperatures have been falling since 1998. These data directly refute all of the “official” forecasts and computer models.

The real facts indicate that the Earth’s climate is and always has been changing regardless of CO2 levels and that, since 1998, it has returned to a cooling phase after a 25-year warming phase.

The most recent scientific work on climate indicates that solar activity beyond human control is and has always been a key driver of Earth’s climate; 700 scientists now publicly support this view. Recognizing the new facts, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are all taking steps to stop their efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.

It is time for President Obama and other Democrat leaders to be true to their words and put science ahead of ideology. The stakes are just too high to do otherwise. The “cap-and-trade” bill would cause severe damage to the American economy, hurting average American families.

Severe economic pain for no environmental gain makes no sense. Obama should draw inspiration from Galileo and Bacon and muster the personal courage to end the ideology-motivated nonsense.

Some background materials on this topic

“Carbongate”

“The Climate Change Climate Change”

“Sen. Inhofe Calls for Inquiry Into ‘Suppressed’ Climate Change Report”

“EPA May Have Suppressed Report Skeptical of Global Warming”
NOTE:  This article includes links to the suppressed report as well as the email exchange between Al Carlin (author of the suppressed report) and Al McGartland (Director of the National Center of Environmental Economics)

Here is the link to the U.S. Senate Minority Report: 700 (Previously 650) International Scientists Dissent Over Man-Made Global Warming Claims.

Please find additional materials and information at the Heartland Institute.