“Global atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have increased markedly as a result of human activities since 1750 and now far exceed pre-industrial values determined from ice cores spanning many thousands of years. The global increases in carbon dioxide concentration are due primarily to fossil fuel use and land-use change. … Carbon dioxide is the most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas. … Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations.” – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 4th Assessment Report, Climate Change 2007, Summary for Policy Makers, Friday, Feb. 2. The report was written for the United Nations by 600 leading researchers from 40 countries, using peer-reviewed data collected by 2,500 researchers in 120 countries. The term “very likely” (IPCC’s own italics) here means more than 90% probability.
“I feel that it is inappropriate for the state to regulate carbon-dioxide emissions due to the highly speculative arguments that it may contribute to global warming. As the Star-Telegram correctly noted, I think the global warming theory is bad science.” – State Rep. Phil King, press release, Jan. 25. King is chair of the Regulated Industries committee and has a leading role in creating energy industry emissions standards.
This article appears in February 2 • 2007.
