Climate Change

There's been a bit of press coverage recently about the data from the last decade that could be used to refute  the overwhelmingly clear evidence of climate change and its effects.  But this NASA article explains the short-term temperature data in the context of the longer-term warming causing the climate change.

The reality is that this debate is really over.  Climate change is real - it is here, and it is serious.  Those few who question or doubt are ignoring the consensus in the scientific community and the evidence that surrounds us every day.

The challenge, however, is getting the Obama Administration to do something dramatic about carbon emissions, particularly from coal-burning plants.  We urgently need a serious plan for reducing our dependence on coal for electricity.  Over the next decade, we will reduce our transportation emissions - more and more hybrids, including plug-in hybrids, will replace gas-guzzlers.  Tom Friedman is right, we should tax gasoline more in order to compel people to move to more fuel-efficient cars and trucks.  But even without a higher gas tax there will be movement.  But our coal addiction may be tougher to quit.