[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 83 (Thursday, June 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1324-E1325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          GLOBAL WARMING PETITION SIGNED BY 31,478 SCIENTISTS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 2009

  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, before voting on the ``cap-and-trade'' 
legislation, my colleagues should consider the views expressed in the 
following petition that has been signed by 31,478 American scientists:
  ``We urge the United States government to reject the global warming 
agreement that was written in Kyoto, Japan in December, 1997, and any 
other similar proposals. The proposed limits on greenhouse gases would 
harm the environment, hinder the advance of science and technology, and 
damage the health and welfare of mankind.
  There is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of 
carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gases is causing or will, 
in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth's 
atmosphere and disruption of the Earth's climate. Moreover, there is 
substantial scientific evidence that increases in atmospheric carbon 
dioxide produce many beneficial effects upon the natural plant and 
animal environments of the Earth.''
  Circulated through the mail by a distinguished group of American 
physical scientists and supported by a definitive review of the peer-
reviewed scientific literature, this may be the strongest and most 
widely supported statement on this subject that has been made by the 
scientific community. A state-by-state listing of the signers, which 
include 9,029 men and women with PhD degrees, a listing of their 
academic specialties, and a peer-reviewed summary of the science on 
this subject are available at www.petitionproiect.org.
 The peer-reviewed summary, ``Environmental Effects of Increased 
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide'' by A. B. Robinson, N. E. Robinson, and W. 
Soon includes 132 references to the scientific literature and was 
circulated with the petition.
  Signers of this petition include 3,803 with specific training in 
atmospheric, earth, and environmental sciences. All 31,478 of the 
signers have the necessary training in physics, chemistry, and 
mathematics to understand and evaluate the scientific data relevant to 
the human-caused global warming hypothesis and to the effects of human 
activities upon environmental quality.
  In a letter circulated with this petition, Frederick Seitz--past 
President of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, President Emeritus 
of Rockefeller University, and recipient of honorary doctorate degrees 
from 32 universities throughout the world--wrote:
  ``The United States is very close to adopting an international 
agreement that would ration the use of energy and of technologies that 
depend upon coal, oil, and natural gas and some other organic 
compounds.
  This treaty is, in our opinion, based upon flawed ideas. Research 
data on climate change do not show that human use of hydrocarbons is 
harmful. To the contrary, there is good evidence that increased 
atmospheric carbon dioxide is environmentally helpful.
  The proposed agreement we have very negative effects upon the 
technology of nations throughout the world; especially those that are 
currently attempting to lift from poverty and provide opportunities to 
the over 4 billion people in technologically underdeveloped countries.
  It is especially important for America to hear from its citizens who 
have the training necessary to evaluate the relevant data and offer 
sound advice.''
  We urge you to sign and return the enclosed petition card. If you 
would like more cards for use by your colleagues, these will be sent.''
  Madam Speaker, at a time when our nation is faced with a severe 
shortage of domestically produced energy and a serious economic 
contraction; we should be reducing the taxation and regulation that 
plagues our energy-producing industries.
  Yet, we will soon be considering so-called ``cap and trade'' 
legislation that would increase the taxation and regulation of our 
energy industries. ``Cap and-trade'' will do at least as much, if not 
more, damage to the economy as the treaty referred by Professor Seitz! 
This legislation is being supported by the claims of ``global warming'' 
and ``climate change'' advocates--claims that, as demonstrated by the 
31,477 signatures to Professor Seitz' petition, many American 
scientists believe is disproved by extensive experimental and 
observational work.
  It is time that we look beyond those few who seek increased taxation 
and increased

[[Page E1325]]

regulation and control of the American people. Our energy policies must 
be based upon scientific truth--not fictional movies or self-interested 
international agendas. They should be based upon the accomplishments of 
technological free enterprise that have provided our modern 
civilization, including our energy industries. That free enterprise 
must not be hindered by bogus claims about imaginary disasters.
  Above all, we must never forget our contract with the American 
people--the Constitution that provides the sole source of legitimacy of 
our government. That Constitution requires that we preserve the basic 
human rights of our people--including the right to freely manufacture, 
use, and sell energy produced by any means they devise--including 
nuclear, hydrocarbon, solar, wind, or even bicycle generators.
  While it is evident that the human right to produce and use energy 
does not extend to activities that actually endanger the climate of the 
Earth upon which we all depend, bogus claims about climate dangers 
should not be used as a justification to further limit the American 
people's freedom.
  In conclusion, I once again urge my colleagues to carefully consider 
the arguments made by the 31,478 American scientists who have signed 
this petition before voting on any legislation imposing new regulations 
or taxes on the American people in the name of halting climate change.

                          ____________________