[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 17 (Monday, February 2, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S682-S686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CLIMATE CHANGE
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I am here now for the 88th time to
urge this body to wake up to the looming threat of climate change.
In the last few weeks, my Republican colleagues have talked about
climate change here on the floor more than at any other time since I
began giving these weekly speeches. We had heard next to nothing from
Republicans about climate change since the 2010 Citizens United
decision. That decision let loose the fossil fuel industry to cast an
ever darker shadow of intimidation across this town. So this minor
outbreak of dialogue, although minor, has been significant.
All but one of my Republican colleagues is now on the record saying
they agree that climate change is real, and 15 voted that it is caused
at least in some part by humans. That is some progress. Yet some still
persist in their denial. Our scientists now tell us that warming of the
climate system is ``unequivocal.'' Yet we equivocate. Scientists are a
careful bunch. When they say something is unequivocal, we ought to take
note.
The senior Senator from Oklahoma, our chairman of the Environmental
and Public Works Committee, however, maintains that human-caused
climate change is a hoax. He thinks it is arrogant to say that humans
could cause the climate to change. What is really arrogant is thinking
we can ignore the laws of nature, the laws of physics, the laws of
chemistry, the laws of biology. Whose laws do we think those are? Those
laws were given to us by our Creator. They came with this world. They
are immutable.
These laws of nature dictate that carbon dioxide is the byproduct of
our burning of fossil fuels. These laws of nature, fresh from the hands
of our Creator, explain why carbon traps heat in our atmosphere--
something we have known since Abraham Lincoln was riding around this
town in his top hat.
Here in the Senate, we have no human power to amend or repeal those
laws--and here in the Senate, we shouldn't cherry-pick from the
scientific record. That is not fair play. Here on the floor, the EPW
chairman paraphrased a 2013 paper from the journal Nature, saying:
[[Page S683]]
. . . there is considerable uncertainty as to whether
[increases in extreme climate variability] is occurring.
The author of the paper, Dr. Chris Huntingford of the UK's National
Environmental Research Council, took exception to his paper being
mischaracterized. He said this:
Our Nature paper strictly analyzes only year-to-year
variability (fluctuations) in temperature. . . . We do not at
any point offer evidence against a general on-going
background and upwards warming trend. Detection and
attribution statistical studies show that the observed
average increasing temperatures are almost certainly a
consequence of the burning of fossil fuels.
In that same floor speech, my colleague from Oklahoma suggested we
could relax about climate change because the Munich Reinsurance Company
said weather-related disaster losses have declined as a proportion of
GDP worldwide. He neglected to mention testimony before our EPW
Committee last July by Munich Re's head of risk accumulation in the
United States, Carl Hedde, to wit:
Due to our history of insuring natural catastrophe, Munich
Re was one of the first companies in the industry to
recognize the impact that weather-related events and a
changing climate could have on its business model and
customers. As a nation, we need to take steps to reduce the
societal impact of weather events as we see greater
variability and volatility in our climate.
The senior Senator from Oklahoma has even resurrected the ghost of
Climategate, that faux scandal whipped up a few years ago by the
polluters and their allies to suggest climate scientists were colluding
to exaggerate global warming data. Turned out it was the cooked-up,
phony scandal that was exaggerated and not the data. So-called
ClimateGate should actually be accurately called ClimateGate-Gate. Yet
years later this zombie falsehood still staggers about the floor of the
Senate attempting to cast doubt on human-caused climate change. The
polluters have relentlessly made it their business to misconstrue the
findings of scientific works and to cling to discredited accusations.
We would do well to listen to the overwhelming majority of
practicing, publishing climate scientists who agree our carbon
pollution is altering the climate. Scientists who conduct experiments,
who examine data, who arrive at conclusions, who submit their work
through peer review, and who make their data accessible for due
diligence by other researchers. It is the best science out there.
But I am afraid those scientists don't have the ear of the senior
Senator from Oklahoma. He showed us whom he listens to. He brought a
chart to the floor showing several dozen ``recognized'' scientists--as
he called them--who don't buy the climate consensus. That chart was
produced by an outfit called the Heartland Institute. You may remember
them for associating climate scientists with the Unabomber--a classy
group.
Their scientists, so-called, included bloggers, columnists, staff of
conservative think tanks, a member of the European Parliament, and many
scientists who have been funded by the fossil fuel industry.
I will side with the scientists affiliated with the American
Association for the Advancement of Science over a bunch of carefully
selected bloggers. I will trust NASA and NOAA over scientists who shill
for the fossil fuel industry. The Heartland Institute is not alone. It
is part of a sophisticated network of climate denial propped up by the
carbon-polluting fossil fuel industry. It is a front group fueled by
the special interests and their dubious experts.
Interestingly, if we go to Oklahoma State University, we will find
one of the experts on this. Dr. Riley Dunlap at Oklahoma State could
tell his Senator all about it. Professor Dunlap is one of the
preeminent researchers into the deliberate and coordinated effort by
corporate interests to spread denial propaganda and distort public
opinion on climate change--what he calls the ``organized climate-denial
machine.'' Dunlap and a colleague found that nearly 90 percent of
climate denial books coming out of publishing houses between 1982 and
2010--guess what--had ties to conservative fossil fuel-funded think
tanks such as the Heartland Institute. The whole thing is a rigged game
and a phony, and there is a very good professor at Oklahoma State
University who keeps track of it.
I also have a fact sheet from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, its
statement on climate change and its implications for Oklahoma. Here is
what it says in plain language: The Earth's climate has warmed during
the last 100 years. The Earth's climate will continue to warm for the
foreseeable future, and much of the global temperature increases over
the last 50 years can be attributed to human activities, particularly
increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That is actually a
noncontroversial statement among regular scientists.
This is no radical with some political agenda. This is a fact sheet
from a State scientific agency. It happens to be Oklahoma's. Here is
what the agency expects this means for Oklahoma: earlier maturation of
winter wheat and orchard crops, leaving them more vulnerable to late
freeze events; drought frequency increases, especially during the
summer; drier and warmer conditions increasing the risk of wildfires;
rain-free periods lengthening with individual rainfall events becoming
more intense, with more runoff and flash flooding occurring.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have this statement printed
in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From the Oklahoma Climatological Survey]
Statement on Climate Change and Its Implications for Oklahoma
``Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now
evident from observations of increases in global average air
and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice,
and rising global average sea level.''
--the Fourth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC).
That statement reflects the essence of a vast amount of
observational data and climate research: the earth's climate
has warmed on average during the last 100 years and will
continue to warm through the 21st century. Further, ample
evidence from observational data and climate modeling studies
indicates that this global-scale warming is not attributable
to natural variability. The Oklahoma Climatological Survey
(OCS) has been mandated by the Oklahoma legislature to
provide climate information and expertise which could be of
value to the public, as well as to state policy- and
decision-makers. In accordance with that directive, OCS has
conducted a review of the current assessments of climate
change research and concludes the following to be true:
Across the globe, a warming climate will be beneficial to
some and detrimental to others. Anticipating how this
climatic shift will impact Oklahoma is of vital importance to
state decision-makers. One of the greatest impacts will be
the exposure of Oklahoma's growing population and economy to
water stress. Oklahoma's future requires access to fresh
water. Thus, due diligence in protecting our water resources
and adapting to future climate variability is paramount if we
are to maintain and improve the quality of life and the
economy of Oklahoma.
The Science of Global Climate Change
The earth's climate is always changing. Evidence such as
tree ring and ice core studies indicates large and sometimes
abrupt climate changes have occurred in the earth's distant
past, lasting centuries to millennia. These climate swings
are attributed to natural variations, such as changes in the
output of the sun or shifts in the earth's orbit. Oklahoma
has exhibited distinct climate periods attributable to
natural variability in the last 100 years, from the decadal-
scale droughts of the 1920s, 1930s and 1950s to an extended
period of abundant precipitation during the 1980s and 1990s.
Mounting evidence continues to indicate, however, that human
activities have begun to impact the earth's climate through
the release of greenhouse gases. Ice core studies show carbon
dioxide and methane are at their greatest levels within the
last 650,000 years. Due to the extended periods required for
these gases to be removed from the atmosphere, further
emissions during the 21st century will cause additional
warming for more than a millennium. In fact, even if
greenhouse gas concentrations were held steady since the year
2000, the earth is committed to decades of warming from heat
already absorbed by the oceans.
Global Climate Change Impacts for Oklahoma
The continued warming of the climate averaged across the
globe will create a cascade of climatic shifts which could
impact Oklahoma's climate. These shifts will not mean an end
of year-to-year natural variability--hot years and cold years
will continue, as will wet years and dry years. The projected
changes will be seen at time scales averaged over a decade or
more. Little is known of the effects climate change will have
on severe weather. The ingredients required for severe
weather involve complex
[[Page S684]]
combinations that do not exhibit clear changes in a warming
climate. Further, global climate models are unable to
accurately simulate small scale weather events like
thunderstorms or tornadoes.
Recommendations
OCS recommends that Oklahoma aggressively pursue four
initiatives to address the risks of both climate variability
and climate change. First, the state should undertake a
comprehensive assessment of Oklahoma's social and economic
vulnerability to climate variability as well as climate
change. Learning to adapt to nature's extremes now will yield
benefits in reduced disaster losses, regardless of the future
trajectory of climate change. Climate change may also bring
economic opportunities that would be identified in such an
assessment. Second, OCS recommends immediate funding of the
Oklahoma Water Resources Board's Comprehensive Water Plan
study to identify existing as well as projected needs for
water. Third, OCS encourages efficiency programs to reduce
our growing demand for energy. Fourth, OCS recommends
investment in renewable energy technology and production.
Oklahoma has already demonstrated the successes of wind
energy; similar efforts should be undertaken to advance
development of solar and sustainable bio-energy as well as
fostering further research and development of wind energy.
Even if climate does not evolve as expected, these steps
will yield long-term benefits to Oklahoma's society and
economy through reduced losses to existing climate and
weather threats and cost-savings through reduced energy use.
If climate does evolve as expected, Oklahoma will be better
positioned to adapt to those changes without rapid social
upheaval. Furthermore, building resilience to climate and
weather events will help position Oklahoma at a relative
advantage to neighboring states, especially in attracting
businesses that are dependent upon a continuous water supply.
This statement is the first in a series issued by OCS which
delineates the impacts, both beneficial and detrimental, of a
warming climate system on the economy of Oklahoma and the
quality of life for Oklahomans. Further statements will
illuminate possible impacts to specific industries, such as
water management and agriculture.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. The National Climate Assessment estimates that by the
end of the century the temperatures in the Southern Great Plains will
increase up to 9 degrees. Mark Shafer is a researcher at the Oklahoma
Climatological Survey who contributed to the National Climate
Assessment. He told the Oklahoman newspaper that in a few decades
Oklahoma could see 100-plus temperatures every summer. By century's
end, daily temperatures could top 100 degrees for the entire summer. As
the climate warms, droughts will probably get worse, both more severe
and more frequent.
Nine Oklahoma professors from Oral Roberts University, Southern
Nazarene University, and the University of Tulsa were among 200
evangelical scientists and academics to sign a 2013 letter to Congress
imploring us to address climate change.
All of God's Creation . . . is groaning under the weight of our
uncontrolled use of fossil fuels. . . . The threat to future
generations and global prosperity means we can no longer afford
complacency and endless debate. We as a society risk being counted
among ``those who destroy the earth.''
Those who know the Bible will know that reference to ``those who
destroy the earth'' comes from Revelations. I will quote from
Revelations: ``And Thy wrath is come, and the time . . . that thou . .
. shouldst destroy them which destroy the earth.''
The letter warns that the way we live harms our neighbors,
threatening to create more empty wells, devastated cropland, loss of
villages, environmental refugees, and disease.
I ask unanimous consent to have that letter from the 200 evangelical
scientists printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
July 10, 2013.
Dear Speaker Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and
Members of the United States Congress: As evangelical
scientists and academics, we understand climate change is
real and action is urgently needed. All of God's Creation--
humans and our environment--is groaning under the weight of
our uncontrolled use of fossil fuels, bringing on a warming
planet, melting ice, and rising seas. The negative
consequences and burdens of a changing climate will fall
disproportionately on those whom Jesus called ``the least of
these'': the poor, vulnerable, and oppressed. Our nation has
entrusted you with political power; we plead with you to lead
on this issue and enact policies this year that will protect
our climate and help us all to be better stewards of
Creation.
Average global temperatures are at their highest level
within the measurement record, and we are beginning to see
indications of increasingly disturbed weather. For example,
2012 was the hottest year ever recorded for the contiguous
United States, and it will go down as one of the most
destructive and disruptive years in U.S. history: wildfires,
drought, superstorms, and public health outbreaks. This past
year is only one example of the patterns of change we expect
to see as the climate warms globally. We're already spending
billions in emergency aid for the victims of hurricanes and
weather disasters, and these expenses will only increase as
the ``once in a lifetime'' storms become the new normal.
The Bible tells us that ``love does no harm to its
neighbor'' (Romans 13:10), yet the way we live now harms our
neighbors, both locally and globally. For the world's poorest
people, climate change means dried-up wells in Africa, floods
in Asia that wash away crops and homes, wildfires in the U.S.
and Russia, loss of villages and food species in the Arctic,
environmental refugees, and disease. Our changing climate
threatens the health, security, and well-being of millions of
people who are made in God's image. The threat to future
generations and global prosperity means we can no longer
afford complacency and endless debate. We as a society risk
being counted among ``those who destroy the earth''
(Revelation 11:18).
We call on you to pass meaningful legislation during this
Congress to reduce carbon emissions and protect our
environment, thereby strengthening the long-term outlook for
our economy and our children. As Christian scientists and
educators, we offer our knowledge, experience, and prayerful
witness to assist you and all of our nation's leaders who are
willing to address this urgent challenge.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tom Ackerman, University of Washington, Seattle,
Washington; Dr. Carolyn Anderson, Calvin College, Grand
Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Stanley Anderson, University of
California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California; Dr.
Brian Aukema, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,
Minnesota; Prof. Michael Bailey Anderson, University,
Anderson, Indiana; Dr. Jonathan Bakker, University of
Washington, Seattle, Washington; Dr. Marvin Bauer, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dr. Philip Bays, Saint
Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana; Dr. Caroline Bentley,
Southern Nazarene University, Bethany, Oklahoma; Dr. Abram
Bicksler, International Sustainable Development Studies
Institute, Chiang Mai, Thailand; Prof. Russell Bjork, Gordon
College, Wenham, Massachusetts; Dr. Curtis Blankespoor,
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Harvey
Blankespoor, Hope College, Holland, Michigan; Dr. Mark Bloom,
Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, Texas; Dr. Robert Boomsma,
Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Illinois.
Dr. Dorothy Boone, Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts;
Prof. Michael Bosscher, Trinity Christian College, Palos
Heights, Illinois; Dr. Sheri Boyce, Messiah College,
Grantham, Pennsylvania; Prof. Lynn Braband, Cornell
University, Ithaca, New York; Dr. James Bradley, Calvin
College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Robert Bringolf,
University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; Dr. Joshua Brokaw,
Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas; Dr. Jeff Brown,
Hope College, Holland, Michigan; Dr. Douglas Bulthuis,
Washington State University, Pullman, Washington; Dr. Russell
Camp, Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts; Dr. David
Campbell, Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, North
Carolina; Dr. Clayton Carlson, Trinity Christian College,
Palos Heights, Illinois; Dr. Chris Carmichael, Bob Jones
University, Greenville, South Carolina; Dr. Walter Cho, Point
Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California; Dr. Hyun
Joong Cho, University of California, San Francisco San
Francisco, California.
Dr. James Clark, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois; Dr.
Stephen Cole, MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, Kansas;
Dr. Bruce Congdon, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle,
Washington; Dr. John Cossel, Jr., Northwest Nazarene
University, Nampa, Idaho; Dr. Lisa Crow, Southern Nazarene
University, Bethany, Oklahoma; Dr. Thomas F. Cummings,
Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois; Dr. Robert De Haan,
Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa; Dr. William Deutsch,
Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; Dr. Calvin DeWitt,
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; Prof.
Jeffrey Divino, University of Connecticut, Storrs,
Connecticut; Dr. David Dornbos Jr., Calvin College, Grand
Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Mike Dorrell, Point Loma Nazarene
University, San Diego, California; Dr. Ruth Douglas Miller,
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; Dr. Job Ebenezer,
Technology for the Poor, Westerville, Ohio; Dr. Gary
Emberger, Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Darrel Falk, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego,
California; Dr. Chris Farrell, Trevecca Nazarene University,
Nashville, Tennessee; Dr. Leo Finkenbinder, Olivet Nazarene
University, Bourbonnais, Illinois; Dr. Lloyd Fisher,
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Dr. Vanessa
Fitsanakis, King University, Bristol, Tennessee; Dr. Aaron
Fletcher, Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, Texas; Dr. David
K. Foster, Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania; Dr.
Michael Freake, Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee; Dr.
Laura Furlong, Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa; Dr.
Herb Fynewever, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr.
Robert Gammon, University of Maryland, College Park,
Maryland;
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Dr. Jason Ganley, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado;
Dr. Luke Gascho, Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana; Prof.
Raymond Gates, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids,
Michigan; Dr. Mark Gathany, Cedarville University,
Cedarville, Ohio.
Dr. Dale Gentry, Northwestern College, St. Paul, Minnesota;
Dr. Dwight Ginn, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais,
Illinois; Dr. Micah Green, Texas Tech University, Lubbock,
Texas; Dr. Jeffrey Greenberg, Wheaton College, Wheaton,
Illinois; Dr. Brian T. Greuel, John Brown University, Siloam
Springs, Arkansas; Dr. Roger Griffioen, Calvin College, Grand
Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Jeff Griffitts, Southern Nazarene
University, Bethany, Oklahoma; Dr. Herb Grover, Wayland
Baptist University, Plainview, Texas; Dr. Terry Gustafson,
The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Dr. Loren Haarsma,
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Steven Hall,
Louisiana State University and LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana; Dr. Rick Hammer, Hardin-Simmons University,
Abilene, Texas; Dr. Wesley H. Hanson, Southern Nazarene
University, Bethany, Oklahoma; Dr. David Hartnett, Kansas
State University, Manhattan, Kansas; Prof. Elizabeth
Hasenmyer, Taylor University, Upland, Indiana.
Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Texas Tech University, Lubbock,
Texas; Dr. Kevin Heaney, Ocean Acoustical Services and
Instrumentation Systems, Lexington, Massachusetts; Dr.
Matthew Heun, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr.
Gregory Hitzhusen, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio;
Dr. David Hoferer, Judson University, Elgin, Illinois; Dr.
Thomas Hooyer, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin; Prof. Elizabeth Horvath, Westmont College, Santa
Barbara, California; Dr. Michael Huster, Nyack College,
Nyack, New York; Dr. Dan Ippolito, Anderson University,
Anderson, Indiana; Dr. Randy Isaac, IBM, Armonk, New York;
Dr. Forest Isbell, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,
Minnesota; Dr. Delano Janutolo, Anderson University,
Anderson, Indiana; Dr. Randal Johnson, Olivet Nazarene
University, Bourbonnais, Illinois; Dr. Carey Johnson,
University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas; Dr. Ian Johnston,
Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Dr. Chris Keil, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois; Dr.
Wayne Keith, McMurry University, Abilene, Texas; Dr. Robert
Keys, Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr.
John Korstad, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Dr.
Kirk Larsen, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa; Dr. Tom Lee,
Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas; Dr. Curtis Lee,
Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, Texas; Prof Irvin Levy,
Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts; Dr. Raymond Lewis,
Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois; Dr. Erik Lindquist,
Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania; Dr. Richard
Lindroth, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison,
Wisconsin; Dr. Greg Long, Olivet Nazarene University,
Bourbonnais, Illinois; Dr. Eric Long, Seattle Pacific
University, Seattle, Washington; Dr. Larry Louters, Calvin
College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. William Lynch,
University of Evansville, Evansville, Indiana.
Dr. Thomas Mangum, Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa,
Idaho; Dr. Bryan Mark, The Ohio State University, Columbus,
Ohio; Dr. April Maskiewicz, Point Loma Nazarene University,
San Diego, California; Dr. Jon Masso, Daystar University,
Athi River, Kenya; Dr. Ann Mayo, Tarrant County College, Fort
Worth, Texas; Dr. Michelle McCully, University of California,
San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Prof. Karen
McReynolds, Hope International University, Fullerton,
California; Dr. Clarence Menninga, Calvin College, Grand
Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Wendy L. Mercier, Eastern University,
St. Davids, Pennsylvania; Dr. Grace Ju Miller, Indiana
Wesleyan University, Marion, Indiana; Dr. Keith Miller,
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas; Dr. Kristy
Miller, University of Evansville, Evansville, Indiana; Dr.
Mike Mooring, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego,
California; Dr. Stephen Moshier, Wheaton College, Wheaton,
Illinois; Dr. Lytton Musselman, Old Dominion University,
Norfolk, Virginia.
Dr. Timothy Nelson, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle,
Washington; Dr. Chris Newhouse, Spring Arbor University,
Township, Michigan; Prof. Andrew Newhouse, SUNY College of
Environmental Science & Forestry, Syracuse, New York; Dr.
Karen Nordell Pearson, Hope College, Holland, Michigan; Dr.
Jennifer Noseworthy, Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts;
Dr. Han Chuan Ong, King University, Bristol, Tennessee; Dr.
Laura Ong, King University, Bristol, Tennessee; Dr. Dawne
Page, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California;
Dr. Rafe Payne, Biola University, La Mirada, California; Dr.
Wesley Pearson, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota; Dr.
Kenneth Petersen, Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota; Dr.
Kenneth Piers, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr.
Jeffrey Ploegstra, Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa; Dr.
Derek Posselt, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan;
Dr. Marla Potess, Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas.
Dr. Darren Proppe, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan;
Dr. Kathleen Purvis-Roberts, Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and
Scripps Colleges, Claremont, California; Dr. Michael Pyle,
Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinois; Dr. Max
Reams, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinois; Dr.
Jan Reber, Taylor University, Upland, Indiana; Prof. Stanley
Reczek, Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts; Dr. Hal Reed,
Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Dr. Jeffrey Regier,
Taylor University, Upland, Indiana; Dr. Timothy Richmond,
Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Missouri; Dr. Jon
Roberts, Cadmus Group, Arlington, Virginia; Dr. David
Robinson, Utah State University, Logan, Utah; Dr. John Roe,
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park,
Pennsylvania; Dr. Thomas Roose, Trinity Christian College,
Palos Heights, Illinois; Dr. Paul Rothrock, Taylor
University, Upland, Indiana; Dr. John Rowley, Houghton
College, Houghton, New York.
Dr. John Sanderson, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York;
Dr. Jeffrey Schloss, Westmont College, Santa Barbara,
California; Dr. Jonathon Schramm, Goshen College, Goshen,
Indiana; Dr. Abbie Schrotenboer, Trinity Christian College,
Palos Heights, Illinois; Dr. John Schutt, James A. Rhodes
State College, Lima, Ohio; Dr. Arthur Schwarz, Southwestern
Adventist University, Keene, Texas; Dr. Ryan Sensenig, Goshen
College, Goshen, Indiana; Dr. Andrew Sensenig, Tabor College,
Hillsboro, Kansas; Dr. Daniel Sharda, Olivet Nazarene
University, Bourbonnais, Illinois; Dr. Joseph Sheldon,
Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania; Dr. Walt Sinnamon,
Southern Wesleyan University, Central, South Carolina; Dr.
Kumar Sinniah, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. R.
Darrell Smith, Global Environmental Relief, Conyers, Georgia;
Dr. Ralph Stearley, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan;
Dr. Eric Steinkamp, Northwest University, Kirkland,
Washington.
Dr. Craig Story, Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts; Dr.
Darren Stoub, Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa; Dr. Aaron
Sullivan, Houghton College, Houghton, New York; Dr. Michael
Summers, George Mason University, George Mason University;
Dr. Jack Swearengen, Washington State University, Vancouver,
Vancouver, Washington; Dr. Sara Sybesma--Tolsma, Northwestern
College, Orange City, Iowa; Dr. Lou Sytsma, Trinity Christian
College, Palos Heights, Illinois; Dr. Kenneth Sytsma,
University of Wisconsin--Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; Dr.
David Terrell, Warner Pacific College, Portland, Oregon; Dr.
Perry Tompkins, Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar,
Missouri; Dr. Todd Tracy, Northwestern College, Orange City,
Iowa; Dr. Donna Tucker, University of Kansas, Lawrence,
Kansas; Dr. Daniel Tucker, University of Louisiana at
Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana; Prof. Jonathan Twining,
Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, Massachusetts; Dr. Dave
Unander, Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Gerald van Belle, University of Washington, Seattle,
Washington; Dr. Randall Van Dragt, Calvin College, Grand
Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Fred Van Dyke, Au Sable Institute of
Environmental Studies, Mancelona, Michigan; Dr. Douglas
Vander Griend, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr.
Steven VanderLeest, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan;
Dr. Aggie Veld, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais,
Illinois; Dr. Pamela Veltkamp, McMurry University, Abilene,
Texas; Dr. Hans Verlinde, The Pennsylvania State University,
University Park, Pennsylvania; Dr. David Vosburg, Harvey Mudd
College, Claremont, California; Dr. Peter Walhout, Wheaton
College, Wheaton, Illinois; Dr. David Warners; Calvin
College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Matthew Waterman,
Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, Massachusetts; Dr. Leslie
Wickman, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California; Dr.
Douglas Wiens, Washington University in Saint Louis, St.
Louis, Missouri; Dr. Alex Williams, York College of Nebraska,
York, Nebraska; Dr. Mark Winslow, Southern Nazarene
University, Bethany, Oklahoma; Dr. Ken Wolgemuth, University
of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Dr. Richard Wright, Gordon
College, Wenham, Massachusetts; Dr. Davis Young, Calvin
College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dr. Sharon Young, Southern
Nazarene University, Bethany, Oklahoma; Dr. Uko Zylstra,
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Finally, Mr. President, at the University of Oklahoma
Berrien Moore III is dean of the College of Atmosphere and Geographic
Sciences. He is also Director of the National Weather Center. Dean
Moore of the University of Oklahoma was a lead author on an
intergovernmental panel on climate change report, which the Senator
from Oklahoma is so fond of disparaging. Dr. Moore's work helped the
IPCC earn the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He has won research accolades
from NOAA and from NASA. In 2009 Dr. Moore testified before the House
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Here is what he had to say
about climate change:
On the increasing strength of Earth science, we now can
state that global warming is ``unequivocal,''--
There is that word again--
but this simply sets the challenge. We need now--
This is 5 years ago, by the way--
to develop the capability to monitor and thereby manage
greenhouse gas emissions through this century and beyond. . .
. The challenge is growing and will not go away.
The effects of climate change are all too real in Oklahoma, in Rhode
Island,
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and across the Nation. If you don't believe me, go to Oklahoma State
and the University of Oklahoma and talk to the scientists I just
mentioned. The outlook for us if we fail to act is increasingly dark.
But look again at Oklahoma. The Sooner State is the fourth largest
producer of wind power in the country. Wind turbines there make
progress toward energy independence and they give Oklahoma farmers
steady income as a hedge against droughts and extreme weather. So
people farm and they get paid for having a wind turbine located on your
farm. It is a win-win. Gary McManus, the Oklahoma State climatologist,
has given a number of presentations on climate change and its likely
effects on his home State. He often prefaces those talks with this
admonition:
This is the science. It is up to you to decide what you do
with it. You can either ignore it or you can use it.
In my view, there will be a high price in harm and in infamy to this
democracy if we continue to ignore it. So I say let's use it, but first
we will have to wake up.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.
(The remarks of Mr. Grassley pertaining to the introduction of S. 335
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills
and Joint Resolutions.'')
Mr. GRASSLEY. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The absence of a quorum is suggested, and the
clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________