NASA Scientist Warns Obama Has Four Years to Stop Climate Change

Twenty years NASA scientist James Hansen warned Congress about the negative effects of climate change. Last year he warned that in order to stop climate change, carbon dioxide levels need to be 350 parts per minute (ppm). Currently carbon levels are 380 ppm. In 1960 they were at 315 ppm. A few weeks ago, Hansen warned that President Obama only has four years to help stop climate change.

"We cannot afford to put off change any longer," said Hansen. "We have to get on a new path within this new administration. We have only four years left for Obama to set an example to the rest of the world. America must take the lead."

Hansen believes the idea of cap-and-trade schemes "must be scrapped." He pointed out that the U.S. "did not sign Kyoto, yet its emissions are not that different from the countries that did sign it. It's just greenwash."

Concerning future climate talks, Hansen said, "I would rather the forthcoming Copenhagen climate talks fail than we agree to a bad deal," Hansen said.

Hansen favors a "carbon tax" imposed on oil and gas companies. He also is apposed to coal because it is "responsible for as much atmospheric carbon dioxide as other fossil fuels combined and it still has far greater reserves." He believes "we must stop using it."

For further reading:

Obama Starts Reversing Bush Environment Policy
The Stimulus Package and the Environment
Too Much for Roads, Not Enough for Public Transit
Obama's Weekly Address


Gina-Marie Cheeseman