 |
Thursday, June 9, 2005
Climate Change: Spinning global science
When it comes to global warming, scientific ignorance is bliss: No worries about devastating storms, droughts and dying species, just pleasant forecasts for warm summers. White House officials are happy to spread that joy.
The New York Times yesterday reported details of how a former oil industry lobbyist with no scientific training repeatedly edited documents on climate change to make the administration's head-in-the-sand posture appear legitimate.
Documents given to The Times by the Government Accountability Project public interest group show that Philip Cooney, White House Council on Environmental Quality chief of staff, repeatedly softened scientific conclusions about climate change, overstated uncertainties and even removed important concerns. In one censoring, Cooney simply crossed out sentences about the possible effects of global warming on polar regions' mountain snowpacks, glaciers and spring runoff. Many scientists have similar concerns about the effects on the Pacific Northwest environment and hydroelectric power.
We like to take an optimistic view, so we'd like to be able to predict the administration will learn to stop spinning science. But the Bush team will always prefer "let's pretend" to science about global warming and, probably, other vital subjects where the world's gains in knowledge are outstripping U.S. progress.
 | |
| Is global warming something to worry about? | |
 8.2%No. Most effects will be positive |
77.6% Yes. We are altering the globe's environmental balance |
| 12.4% Maybe not worry, but it's certainly something be concerned about |
1.8% Uncertain or don't care |
| Total Votes: 825 | |
My web site
My Yahoo!
Google
· King County Charter: Looking for clarity
· Burke-Gilman Trail: Filling a gap
· The Tax-Cut Frame: Both sides pander
· Government crackdowns on journalists threaten democracy
· Palin's speech an unqualified success
· Stereotypes hurt the mentally ill
· Sarah Palin has plenty to say
· 'Stand Up to Cancer' responds to government's failure
· Palin talks the talk but can she walk the walk?
· Questions about Palin's resume are legit
· The unity on display in Denver
· If you're going to throw God at teens, also toss some condoms their way
more· Weekend VEB: Republicans will win; Take on convention, plus reader comments, Burke-Gilman and Sarah Palin
· David Horsey on GOP; Burke-Gilman, Charter Amendment, "Tax frame" plus reader comments on buses and viaduct
· David Horsey on GOP; Morning preview: Burke-Gilman, Port recall plus reader comments on buses and viaduct
101 Elliott Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 448-8000
Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or (800) 542-0820
seattlepi.com serves about 1.7 million unique visitors
and 30 million page views each month.
Send comments to newmedia@seattlepi.com
Send investigative tips to iteam@seattlepi.com
©1996-2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Terms of Use/Privacy Policy
