Committee Continues Effort to Address Climate Change
(Washington, DC) At the third of a series of hearings aimed at addressing the science, research and findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report, the House Committee on Science and Technology was today the first Congressional forum for the distinguished authors of the recently released Third Working Group Report.
That report – released May 4, 2007 in Bangkok – highlights the key findings of the comprehensive appraisal of the current state of scientific knowledge on strategies to mitigate climate change.
“The IPCC reports tell us that if we are to avoid the dangerous impacts of climate change associated with global temperature increases of four degrees or higher, we must develop and implement mitigation strategies,” said Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “This is the third time this Committee has benefited from the expertise of the world’s leading scientists on this matter, this year. Moving forward, their findings and guidance will certainly shape Congress’ response."
The previously released Working Group I and II Reports established both the occurrence of global climate change and the likely affects of the phenomena. The full underlying report will be released later this year.
This third section of the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report, entitled “Mitigation of Climate Change,” builds on previous findings to begin the discussion on global adaptation and mitigation strategies needed to counteract the effects of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The report also addresses the relationship between mitigation and sustainable development.
Looking in detail at the most promising technologies for reining in heat-trapping gases, Working Group III’s report outlines the need for improving energy efficiency in buildings, vehicles and appliances; shifting energy sources away from fossil fuels; retaining forests as a carbon sinks, and reducing emissions associated with agriculture. Not surprisingly, the experts found that the sooner these measures are put in place, the better.
Members on both sides of the aisle questioned the financial costs of climate change mitigation. But, as Chairman Gordon cautioned, “Inaction is not cost-free, either in monetary terms or in human suffering. Longer, more intense droughts, increased flooding, and accelerated sea level rise are all very costly. Increased public health problems and increased migration of environmental refugees are also very costly.”
Mitigation also brings opportunity, Gordon added. “While there will be costs, there will also be benefits and opportunities for new jobs and new industries. We must do for the U.S., the types of analyses performed by the IPCC on a global basis, to understand the costs and benefits associated with alternative mitigation policies and technologies. We have an opportunity to lead the world in a cooperative effort to make sustainable development not just a goal, but a reality. The sooner we begin, the better off we will be.”
The Third Working Group report did not point to any single policy or group of technologies that will achieve emission reductions. The IPCC deduced that each nation and region must participate in a global effort to reduce emissions by developing strategies that will work within their respective economic and social frameworks.
In an effort to advance new energy technologies to combat climate change, the full Committee expects to soon mark-up H.R. 364, the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) soon. The Committee also expects to advance Earth and climate observation and research programs through H.R. 906, the Global Change Research Data and Management Act of 2007.
For more information on the hearing, follow this link»
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