Elections matter and this one will be no exception. While agreeing that any reduction of air pollution is desirable, the massive economic changes demanded by many in the global warming debate might cause more problems than they solve.
We should obviously act on the generally-agreed upon perception that the climate is warming, but not yet on the still widely-debated fact that it is primarily a result of human activity.
Editorial: Clearing trend
Published 12:00 am PST Sunday, January 21, 2007
Until Democrats took control of Congress, President Bush was able to freeze any legislative efforts to fight global warming. Now the ice dam has melted, and a gusher of bills could soon be moving to the president's desk.
In the Senate, likely presidential candidate Barack Obama of Illinois has joined fellow contender John McCain of Arizona and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut on a bill to reduce greenhouse gases. California's Dianne Feinstein is backing a version backed by PG&E and other power industries, and Barbara Boxer is co-sponsoring another proposal written by Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced a new Select Committee on Global Warming. That puts pressure on House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell, a staunch Michigan ally of Detroit automakers, to agree to emissions rules he has previously opposed.
