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#89 The Questionable Science Behind The Global Warming Scare
89 The Questionable Science Behind The Global Warming Scare Author:Joseph L. Bast Scientists have discovered that concentrations of minor greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), are rising. Theoretically, these gases could trap more heat in the atmosphere, leading to a gradual warming of the Earth's atmosphere. And, again theoretically, the consequences of rapid global warming could be harmful t... more »o the environment and to human health. Since the stakes are high, careful research and a deliberate response are called for. In 1997, representatives of the United States and other nations met in Kyoto, Japan, to negotiate a treaty to address the possible threat of global climate change. That treaty, called the Kyoto Protocol, would require the U.S. to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2012. The debate over global warming is important because implementation of the Kyoto Protocol would have significant negative effects on American workers and consumers. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the United States government would need to adopt policies that would raise energy costs by the equivalent of $0.60 per gallon of gasoline or more. Higher energy costs, in turn, would result in substantially higher prices paid by consumers for electricity and home heating oil, some 2.4 million lost jobs, and lost income averaging $2,700 per year for the typical American family.« less