2008 Woodie Awards
Global warming, a chilly report
Sheeraz Hyder
Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: Opinion
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With the release of the 21-page report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change entitled "Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis and Summary for Policymakers" comes a flurry of editorials and news stories both fervently in support of and heatedly against its main point. The point that is causing so much controversy is the report's cold conclusion that humans are undeniably responsible for ninety percent of the global warming crisis that we are faced with today.
To arrive at that chilly conclusion, the report "describes progress in understanding of the human and natural drivers of climate change1, observed climate change, climate processes and attribution, and estimates of projected future climate change." Now the race is on to see which side can come up with the most scientifically sound and politically applicable solution to a problem that if not solved will create a far more different planet in 100 years then the one we inhabit today.
Former Vice President of the United States Al Gore and Virgin Group chairman Sir Richard Branson have offered $25 million to the first scientist who comes up with a way of extracting greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Branson stated that "Man created the problem, therefore Man should solve the problem." Oscar Nominee for his documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" and Nobel Peace Prize nominee for his work in bringing the Global Warming crisis to the forefront, Gore, since leaving the White House in 2001, has been outspoken in criticizing developed nations in general and the US in particular about extravagant CO2 emissions.
During his vice presidency, Gore pushed for extensive adoption of the Kyoto Protocols (which President Bush promptly threw out the window upon inauguration) and since leaving the White House he has actively campaigned with "An Inconvenient Truth" to bring the knowledge of global warming's horrific effect to the huddled masses. As an Oscar nominee, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Gore is uniquely in a position to make an effect on the world. With 11 of the past 12 years ranked among the 12 warmest years in the record since 1850, it is obvious that our planet is changing and not for the better.
To arrive at that chilly conclusion, the report "describes progress in understanding of the human and natural drivers of climate change1, observed climate change, climate processes and attribution, and estimates of projected future climate change." Now the race is on to see which side can come up with the most scientifically sound and politically applicable solution to a problem that if not solved will create a far more different planet in 100 years then the one we inhabit today.
Former Vice President of the United States Al Gore and Virgin Group chairman Sir Richard Branson have offered $25 million to the first scientist who comes up with a way of extracting greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Branson stated that "Man created the problem, therefore Man should solve the problem." Oscar Nominee for his documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" and Nobel Peace Prize nominee for his work in bringing the Global Warming crisis to the forefront, Gore, since leaving the White House in 2001, has been outspoken in criticizing developed nations in general and the US in particular about extravagant CO2 emissions.
During his vice presidency, Gore pushed for extensive adoption of the Kyoto Protocols (which President Bush promptly threw out the window upon inauguration) and since leaving the White House he has actively campaigned with "An Inconvenient Truth" to bring the knowledge of global warming's horrific effect to the huddled masses. As an Oscar nominee, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Gore is uniquely in a position to make an effect on the world. With 11 of the past 12 years ranked among the 12 warmest years in the record since 1850, it is obvious that our planet is changing and not for the better.
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