[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:


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       . . . 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;

[[Page S685]]

     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,

[[Page S686]]

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.

                          ____________________