[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 61 (Monday, May 7, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4413-S4414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE NEED FOR CONTROL OF GREENHOUSE GASES

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss an issue that is 
very important to a large number of Americans. It is the issue of 
global climate change and the control of greenhouse gases.
  One of the most profound challenges we face in the 21st century is 
the problem of global climate change. Global climate change has the 
potential to cause widespread damage to large parts of our planet. An 
increasing body of scientific evidence indicates that human activities 
are altering the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the 
buildup of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and 
nitrous oxide. The heat trapping property of these greenhouse gases is 
undisputed. Scientists and public policy experts are convinced that we 
need to address this problem.
  We cannot wait longer for even more scientific proof of when and how 
climate change will begin. One Pacific leader summarized our dilemma 
best when he said ``We do not have the luxury of waiting for conclusive 
proof of global warming. The proof, we fear, will kill us.''
  Prudence dictates that we start addressing this issue immediately. 
Solutions may not be easy, quick, or cheap;

[[Page S4414]]

however, if we do not address this problem soon, the costs will be much 
higher.
  President Bush's reversal of his carbon dioxide pledge is a serious 
blow to the efforts to control greenhouse gases. The Administration's 
position on the Kyoto Protocol diminishes the role of the United States 
in developing a suitable framework to deal with the challenge of global 
climate change in a cooperative manner with other countries. The United 
States has the scientific and technical prowess and industrial might to 
play a leading role in controlling the emissions of greenhouse gases. 
As the source of over a quarter of the planet's carbon dioxide 
emissions, we have a responsibility to act decisively. If we abandon 
our leadership role, not only will history judge us harshly, but we 
will also pay a dear price for our shortsightedness.
  I represent the state where debate over global warming began. The 
Mauna Loa Climate Observatory in Hawaii was the first to document a 
steady increase in the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels more than 30 
years ago. Since then many authoritative studies have been conducted 
that document increased levels of greenhouse gases. It is now widely 
accepted by the scientific community that human activities such as 
burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and certain land-use practices 
are increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other 
greenhouse gases. Careful measurement of those gases in the atmosphere, 
and analyses of ancient ice cores in Greenland and Antarctica, leave no 
doubt that their global concentrations are increasing.
  Modeling studies show that emissions of greenhouse gases due to human 
activities are affecting the atmosphere in a predictable manner. 
Confidence in the ability of complex models to project future climatic 
conditions has increased. There is new and stronger evidence that most 
of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human 
activities.

  Temperatures have risen during the past four decades in the lowest 8 
kilometers of the atmosphere. Snow cover and ice extent have decreased. 
There has been widespread retreat of glaciers in the non-polar regions 
during the 20th century. Average global sea level has risen and ocean 
heat content has increased.
  The effects of major global climate change on the U.S. and the rest 
of the world will be devastating. I would like to describe the possible 
effects of climate change on Hawaii. As an island state with limited 
land mass, we are very sensitive to global climate changes. The 
worldwide problem of greenhouse gases threatens Hawaii. Honolulu's 
average temperature has increased by 4.4 degrees over the last century. 
By 2100, average temperatures in Hawaii could increase by three to five 
degrees Fahrenheit in all seasons and slightly more in the fall. 
Rainfall has decreased by about 20 percent over the past 90 years. 
Estimates for future rainfall are highly uncertain because reliable 
projections of El Nino do not exist. It is possible that large 
precipitation increases could occur in the summer and fall. The 
intensity of hurricanes may be affected. Expansion of the habitat of 
disease-carrying insects could increase the potential for diseases such 
as malaria and dengue fever.
  In Honolulu, Nawiliwili, and Hilo, our major harbors, sea level has 
increased six to fourteen inches in the last century and is likely to 
rise another 17 to 24 inches by 2100. The expected rise in the sea 
level could cause flooding of low lying property, loss of coastal 
wetlands, beach erosion, saltwater contamination of drinking water, and 
damage to coastal roads and bridges. The shorelines of the Hawaiian 
Islands contain some of the world's most famous white-sand beaches. The 
effects of an accelerated sea level rise on the coral reef ecosystem 
which protects our islands are poorly understood. Higher temperatures 
could cause coral bleaching and the death of coral reefs. Hawaii's 
economy could also be hurt if the combination of higher temperatures, 
changes in weather, and the effects of sea level rise on beaches make 
Hawaii less attractive to visitors.
  Hawaii's diverse environment and geographic isolation have resulted 
in a great variety of native species found only in Hawaii. However, 70 
percent of U.S. extinctions of species have occurred in Hawaii, and 
many species are endangered. Climate change would add another threat.
  People around the world are beginning to take this problem seriously. 
To reduce carbon dioxide output, Mexico is planning to double its 
geothermal power generation, placing it third behind the United States 
and the Philippines in the use of geothermal power. China, with 11 
percent of the world's carbon dioxide output, second to the U.S., has 
reduced its greenhouse gas output by 17 percent between 1997 and 1999.
  In the U.S., municipal governments are working to reduce carbon 
dioxide emissions. In 1993, Portland, Oregon, became the first U.S. 
city to implement its own CO2 reduction plan. Portland has 
been joined by Denver and Minneapolis.

  In recent years, more and more multinational corporations have taken 
positive steps to address the problem of greenhouse gases. British 
Petroleum set the goal of cutting carbon dioxide output 10 percent 
below its 1990 level. Four years later it is halfway there. Last 
October, Alcan, DuPont, and others pledged to reduce their greenhouse 
emissions to levels meeting or exceeding the Kyoto requirements. 
Polaroid, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, and others are also committed to 
reducing corporate greenhouse gas emissions. Fuel cells are on the 
verge of providing big breakthroughs in the use of clean energy. All 
major automobile companies are committeed to this new, clean 
technology.
  We cannot wait for further scientific proof to materialize. If we do 
not begin to control greenhouse gases in a reasonable time frame, we 
may reach the point where it may be exceedingly difficult to avoid the 
drastic effects of global warming. It will not take extremes of warming 
to lead to major impacts.
  We need to address the problem of global climate change, and the 
sooner we start on this the better off we will be. No one wants our 
efforts to combat carbon dioxide emissions to become an economic 
nightmare.
  An effective program to fight climate change need not involve huge 
increases in energy prices or draconian rules that choke industries and 
damage our economic well-being. We need to employ creative approaches 
and let American ingenuity loose. We must invest in the development of 
new technologies that will provide new and environmentally friendly 
sources of energy, newer and environmentally friendly technologies that 
allow use of conventional and non-conventional energy sources. We must 
work with other nations in a cooperative manner. A well-crafted 
strategy can address global climate change and maintain our preeminent 
economic position in the world.
  I urge President Bush to reconsider his position on the control of 
carbon dioxide. I urge the Administration to work with other countries 
in developing suitable and equitable approaches in solving this shared 
problem of control of greenhouse gases. Our positive leadership is 
necessary if we are to avoid the catastrophic effects of global climate 
change. Our world cannot afford widespread disruption of ecosystems and 
weather patterns that may result from unmitigated emissions of 
greenhouse gases.

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