On 2 January one of the world's top climate scientists wrote a personal new year appeal to Barack and Michelle Obama warning of the "profound disconnect" between public policy on climate change and the magnitude of the problem.
Professor Jim Hansen, who heads Nasa's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, praised Obama's campaign rhetoric about a "planet in peril", but says that how the new president acts in office will be crucial.
Hansen lambastes the current international approach of setting targets through "cap and trade" schemes as not up to the task. "This approach is ineffectual and not commensurate with the climate threat. It could waste another decade, locking in disastrous consequences for our planet and humanity."
I suppose the key test will be whether or not the President will get the support of the public when he proposes measures that will restrict the "American way of life". I wonder what the US Churches will say ~ I wonder what the UK Churches will say when measures have similar effects here?
Professor Jim Hansen, who heads Nasa's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, praised Obama's campaign rhetoric about a "planet in peril", but says that how the new president acts in office will be crucial.
Hansen lambastes the current international approach of setting targets through "cap and trade" schemes as not up to the task. "This approach is ineffectual and not commensurate with the climate threat. It could waste another decade, locking in disastrous consequences for our planet and humanity."
I suppose the key test will be whether or not the President will get the support of the public when he proposes measures that will restrict the "American way of life". I wonder what the US Churches will say ~ I wonder what the UK Churches will say when measures have similar effects here?
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