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Statement
before the US
House of Representatives, June 4, 2009
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.petitionproject.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
31,478 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 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.
Ron Paul
www.house.gov/paul
All
other articles by Ron Paul
Congressman Ron Paul of Texas enjoys a national reputation as the
premier advocate for liberty in politics today. Dr. Paul is the leading
spokesman in Washington for limited constitutional government, low taxes,
free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies based on
commodity-backed currency. For more information click on the Project Freedom website.
Published with the authorization of Dr. Paul.
Copyright Dr. Ron Paul
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