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Climate Action Report 2002(NYT's Bush's U-Turn report)
US. EPA Global Warming ^ | May 2002 | Various EPA studies

Posted on 06/02/2002 7:46:20 PM PDT by JerseyHighlander

The United States of America's Third National
Communication Under the United Nations 
Framework Convention on Climate Change


FINAL VERSION
Hard copies of this report will not be published for several months. Ordering information will be available on this page once copies are available.


(Per Federal Register Notice)

(Public Comments Submitted)


Get Acrobat ReaderAll files listed in the Table of Contents are available for viewing or download in Adobe Acrobat 5.0 format. The Acrobat Reader is available at no cost from Adobe Systems.Exit EPA


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Zip file of pdf containing entire document (5.7M)

Upfront (247k pdf)  – Cover page and table of contents.

Chapter 1.  Introduction and Overview (197k pdf) – Summarizes the main elements of the report.

Chapter 2.  National Circumstances (450k pdf) – Presents a snapshot of the national characteristics of the United States that play a role in climate change, including the country's climate, geography, economy, demographic trends, energy production and consumption, and natural resources.

Chapter 3.  Greenhouse Gas Inventory (442k pdf) – Provides a broad overview of all U.S. greenhouse gas emission sources and sinks, introduces key concepts, and discusses the primary drivers for the growth in emissions.  All material in the chapter is drawn from the U.S. Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks:  1990–1999

Chapter 4.  Policies and Measures (320k pdf) – Reviews national policies to limit emissions and enhance sinks of greenhouse gases undertaken since 1990.

Chapter 5.  Projections (322k pdf) – Quantifies the aggregate effects on greenhouse gas emissions of policies and measures implemented or planned from 1990 to 2020.

Chapter 6.  Vulnerability (1.5M pdf) – Addresses U.S. vulnerabilities to the adverse consequences of climate change and identifies the most promising adaptation measures being explored.

Chapter 7.  Financial Resources (426k pdf) – Reviews U.S. efforts with other countries to assist with mitigation and sequestration strategies, build human and institutional capacity to address climate change, and facilitate the commercial transfer of technology.

Chapter 8.  Research and Observation (296k pdf) – Discusses research efforts involving prediction of climate change, impacts and adaptation, and mitigation and new technologies.  This chapter also provides an overview of U.S. work on Global Climate Observing Systems.Exit EPA

Chapter 9.  Education, Training, and Awareness (269k pdf) – Addresses programs to educate and train students and citizens in areas related to climate change and reviews U.S. outreach activities to disseminate information about global climate change.

Appendix A:  Emission Trends. (1.9M pdf)

Appendix B:  Policies and Measures. (1.5M pdf)

Appendix C:  Selected Technology Transfer Activities and U.S. Direct Financial Contributions and Commercial Sales Related to Implementation of the UNFCCC. (4.4M pdf)

Appendix D:  Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions. (264k pdf)

Appendix E:  Bibliography. (197k pdf)


http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/nwinsite.html
http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/actions/national/index.html
http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/publications/index.html



TOPICS: Breaking News; Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: climatechange; drudgegas; globalwarming; greenhousegas; unitednations
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To: rintense
Well, if that "caved" comment is in there, I shall continue my Rush-free zone and have a cheerful afternoon.

Thanks for the info.

141 posted on 06/03/2002 9:42:36 AM PDT by Miss Marple
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To: Miss Marple
Well, I still can't figure it out. He seems to be sarcastic, but I think I'm missing something. One the one hand he seems to be saying that the Bush Admin. is trumping the Dems by stealing their own issues. But on the other hand, it's like he's saying by doing so, the Bush Admin. is abandoning their platform issues. I'm still confused.
142 posted on 06/03/2002 9:48:50 AM PDT by rintense
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To: Miss Marple
Ok. Now I get it. He's comparing the 9-11 hijackings to the conservative party being hijacked (I'm assuming by Dubya).
143 posted on 06/03/2002 9:50:05 AM PDT by rintense
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To: rintense
See, I knew I was right to avoid the EIB. As soon as you have a fairly good idea of his position, turn him off!!
144 posted on 06/03/2002 9:51:43 AM PDT by Miss Marple
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To: rintense
Oh yeah!! =^)
145 posted on 06/03/2002 10:00:56 AM PDT by rockfish59
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To: repo girl
bump for the real dirt. hit "to 102" to see nick danger's comments.
146 posted on 06/03/2002 10:10:31 AM PDT by Big Guy and Rusty 99
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To: Sabertooth
I know there are decadal and centurial cycles too that we don't understand. Actually, in the latest publication, they note that they don't comprehend all heterogenous causes of those cycles with longer periodicity. But that's different from saying "we" don't understand that human industrial activity is contributing to warming. Among all but auto & gas companies, that's now a recognized scientific fact. I have a friend who's a pretty conservative guy, re-engineered rocket scientist now doing atmospheric stuff, and he says that among all reasonable scientist it's pretty much settled that a lot of recent warming trend, since 1940s, is attributable to human activity. So I don't know who you mean by "we," but my solid Republican scientist friend is who I'm going by. Wishing does not make it so.
147 posted on 06/03/2002 10:47:30 AM PDT by FreeTheHostages
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To: JerseyHighlander
GLOBAL WARMING

Climate
Changing Atmosphere | Changing Climate
The Climate Science Q & A

Science Uncertainties

AN INTRODUCTION
According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Earth's surface temperature has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades. There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities. Human activities have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the buildup of greenhouse gases – primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The heat-trapping property of these gases is undisputed although uncertainties exist about exactly how earth’s climate responds to them. Go to the Emissions section for much more on greenhouse gases.


Our Changing Atmosphere
The Greenhouse Effect Energy from the sun drives the earth’s weather and climate, and heats the earth’s surface; in turn, the earth radiates energy back into space. Atmospheric greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases) trap some of the outgoing energy, retaining heat somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse.
Without this natural “greenhouse effect,” temperatures would be much lower than they are now, and life as known today would not be possible. Instead, thanks to greenhouse gases, the earth’s average temperature is a more hospitable 60°F. However, problems may arise when the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases increases.
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30%, methane concentrations have more than doubled, and nitrous oxide concentrations have risen by about 15%. These increases have enhanced the heat-trapping capability of the earth’s atmosphere. Sulfate aerosols, a common air pollutant, cool the atmosphere by reflecting light back into space; however, sulfates are short-lived in the atmosphere and vary regionally.
Why are greenhouse gas concentrations increasing? Scientists generally believe that the combustion of fossil fuels and other human activities are the primary reason for the increased concentration of carbon dioxide. Plant respiration and the decomposition of organic matter release more than 10 times the CO2 released by human activities; but these releases have generally been in balance during the centuries leading up to the industrial revolution with carbon dioxide absorbed by terrestrial vegetation and the oceans.
What has changed in the last few hundred years is the additional release of carbon dioxide by human activities. Fossil fuels burned to run cars and trucks, heat homes and businesses, and power factories are responsible for about 98% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, 24% of methane emissions, and 18% of nitrous oxide emissions. Increased agriculture, deforestation, landfills, industrial production, and mining also contribute a significant share of emissions. In 1997, the United States emitted about one-fifth of total global greenhouse gases.
Estimating future emissions is difficult, because it depends on demographic, economic, technological, policy, and institutional developments. Several emissions scenarios have been developed based on differing projections of these underlying factors. For example, by 2100, in the absence of emissions control policies, carbon dioxide concentrations are projected to be 30-150% higher than today’s levels.


Changing Climate
Global mean surface temperatures have increased 0.5-1.0°F since the late 19th century. The 20th century's 10 warmest years all occurred in the last 15 years of the century. Of these, 1998 was the warmest year on record. The snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere and floating ice in the Arctic Ocean have decreased. Globally, sea level has risen 4-8 inches over the past century. Worldwide precipitation over land has increased by about one percent. The frequency of extreme rainfall events has increased throughout much of the United States.

Global Temperature Changes
Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases are likely to accelerate the rate of climate change. Scientists expect that the average global surface temperature could rise 1-4.5°F (0.6-2.5°C) in the next fifty years, and 2.2-10°F (1.4-5.8°C) in the next century, with significant regional variation. Evaporation will increase as the climate warms, which will increase average global precipitation. Soil moisture is likely to decline in many regions, and intense rainstorms are likely to become more frequent. Sea level is likely to rise two feet along most of the U.S. coast.
Calculations of climate change for specific areas are much less reliable than global ones, and it is unclear whether regional climate will become more variable.

-----------------------------------------------------

I found this educational page referred to by the report in the education chapter.

148 posted on 06/03/2002 12:31:49 PM PDT by eraser X
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To: Ben Ficklin





Give RUSH 24/7







Click here to learn
how to Advertise
on RushLimbaugh.com




© 2002 Premiere
Radio Networks
All Rights Reserved

Rush Limbaugh Portraits
© 2001 Brad Trent

know the American people generally get what they want, but not always. To make my point, we have a See, I Told You So that took less than 24 hours to occur.
President Bush wants to use $235 million in federal money to prevent Florida's Everglades and beaches from oil and gas drilling. In a written statement on Wednesday he said that Florida is known worldwide for its beautiful coastal waters and the Everglades, and that he is acting to preserve both. Now, what he basically did was say there is not going to be any drilling off the shores of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico for either oil or natural gas, nor will there be any drilling in three wildlife refuge areas including the Everglades on the peninsula of Florida.

Now, what did I say on Wednesday? I didn't decry that - I decried the reasoning. The announcement of this policy pretty much put the nail in the coffin on the whole ANWR effort. The environmentalist wackos jumped all over this and said if it's unsafe to drill in Florida for gas or oil, then how can it be safe in Alaska? I guess I've been wrong about this all along.

The Saint Petersburg Times reported on Wednesday that Gulf Stream Natural Gas System, LLC, announced that it has placed into service its new natural gas pipeline with the capacity to transport 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to growing Florida energy markets. The 581-mile pipeline system is the largest natural gas pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico. This milestone represents the availability of the Sunshine State's first new natural gas source in more than forty years.

Folks, this is California just waiting to happen. And of the 581-mile pipeline system, 430 miles crosses the Gulf of Mexico. Whew! Good thing we snuck this in before the president decided not to do any more piping and drilling. Pretty soon, if Florida runs out of natural gas and can't provide enough electricity or whatever, it's going to be just like California. They hadn't built any power plants in however many years and wondered why, with price caps and everything, "We're out of power, Myrtle!"

The self-defeating nature of the decision in Florida vis-à-vis Alaska, Colorado and elsewhere, just boggles the mind. My friends, normally these things take a week to play out because the left is so busy protesting things that they don't hear about them. But they heard about this one constantly and I knew they would. This is big, folks; it really is. You can say good-bye to drilling in that tiny, frozen corner of the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.
(…explain the See, I Told You So on Dub's oil for Alaska, not Florida)
(The Limbaugh Institute: Maha, Where Does Oil Come From?)
(LA Times: Bush Curbs Oil Drilling in Florida Coast Tract)
(St. Petersburg Times: Tap is Turned on Natural Gas Pipeline)

149 posted on 06/03/2002 3:22:59 PM PDT by jla
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To: JerseyHighlander
My apologies, Highlander.
I was replying to the post, not to the poster, per se.
150 posted on 06/03/2002 3:26:23 PM PDT by jla
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To: lazamataz
Just wondering how many times in a row you're going to fall for drivel from Drudge.

You were claiming last week that Bush had "reversed" his global warming position, yes...

151 posted on 06/03/2002 3:54:41 PM PDT by Southack
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To: jla
Offshore drilling moves into Florida's neighborhood
152 posted on 06/03/2002 3:56:47 PM PDT by Ben Ficklin
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To: JerseyHighlander
Bump for my :

I don't understand my party any longer even if no new policies go into effect it will still give lots of ammo for the whackos - file.

153 posted on 06/03/2002 4:31:18 PM PDT by Kay Soze
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To: FreeTheHostages
Look, you're entitled to believe in human induced global warming if you like. Not too many years ago a lot of scientists though eggs caused high blood cholesterol.

I don't buy your friend's position that "among all reasonable scientist it's pretty much settled that a lot of recent warming trend, since 1940s, is attributable to human activity." If we don't know the climatological baseline, we don't know what "warmer" is. A lot of "reasonable scientists" understand this.

And set aside the Earth for a moment. What's the baseline for the Sun?

Wishful thinking aside, you don't know, nor does your friend, nor do any of his friends.



154 posted on 06/03/2002 5:38:59 PM PDT by Sabertooth
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To: eraser X
From: The Greening Earth Society

"This temperature update presents the NASA satellite measurements of monthly temperature anomalies—the difference between the observed values and the 1979–1998 mean values. Global satellite measurements are made from a series of orbiting platforms that sense the average temperature in various atmospheric layers. Here, we present the lowest level, which matches nearly perfectly with the mean temperatures measured by weather balloons in the layer between 5,000 and 28,000 feet. The satellite measurements are considered accurate to within 0.01 deg C and provide more uniform coverage of the entire globe than surface measurements, which tend to concentrate over land.

"April 2002: The global average temperature departure was 0.196deg C; the Northern Hemisphere temperature departure was 0.159°C; and the Southern Hemisphere departure was 0.232 deg C.

"Below: Monthly satellite temperatures for the Northern Hemisphere (top) and Southern Hemisphere (bottom). Trend lines indicate statistically significant changes only."


155 posted on 06/03/2002 6:23:39 PM PDT by boris
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To: monday
I don't see why there would be fewer coastal marshes anyway. If the sea level rose, the coastal marshes would just move inland.
156 posted on 06/03/2002 6:32:38 PM PDT by ganesha
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To: Southack
Just wondering how many times in a row you're going to fall for drivel from Drudge.

5,217 times.

Well, 5,216, now.

157 posted on 06/03/2002 6:34:17 PM PDT by Lazamataz
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To: ganesha
"I don't see why there would be fewer coastal marshes anyway. If the sea level rose, the coastal marshes would just move inland."

shrug...... thats what the report said. I don't see that it makes any since either.

158 posted on 06/03/2002 7:57:15 PM PDT by monday
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To: JerseyHighlander
Help-- the sky is falling.
159 posted on 06/03/2002 9:18:12 PM PDT by let freedom sing
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To: NittanyLion
Christie Todd Whitman jammed it through.
160 posted on 06/04/2002 9:31:13 AM PDT by sauropod
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