QUOTE
Climate Wars: Episode Two
BusinessWeek
APRIL 23, 2007
Remember the arguments for not taking action against global warming? Just a few years ago the claim was: "There's no evidence that the climate is changing." Then it became: "Well, maybe it is, but humans aren't to blame." That morphed into: "Warmer could be better, and we can easily adapt." And all along, we heard that cutting emissions would cripple the economy--and wouldn't make much difference because China and India weren't on board.
There are still holdouts, not the least George W. Bush. His mantra is that China and India must sign on if the U.S. is to impose curbs. Peabody Energy (BTU) has hired ex-House Majority Leader Richard A. Gephardt to lobby against carbon curbs. And while many companies are waving green flags, environmentalists worry that some are more interested in protecting themselves than in saving the planet, since those not willing to negotiate could face higher costs. As Charles Territo of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers says: "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu."
Whatever the motivations, a profound shift has occurred on global warming. With Congress beginning work on a slew of bills, "the entire discussion has progressed from 'nothing is going to happen' to wrestling over the details," says Philip E. Clapp, president of the National Environmental Trust. "The jockeying has begun."
Why the dramatic shift from resisting the science to wrestling over policy? One reason: The long contrarian campaign has lost credibility. The main goal, stated in company and trade-association documents, was to sow as much doubt as possible. As a 1998 American Petroleum Institute memo says: "Victory will be achieved when...recognition of uncertainties becomes part of the 'conventional wisdom.'"
CONTINUED
BusinessWeek
APRIL 23, 2007
Remember the arguments for not taking action against global warming? Just a few years ago the claim was: "There's no evidence that the climate is changing." Then it became: "Well, maybe it is, but humans aren't to blame." That morphed into: "Warmer could be better, and we can easily adapt." And all along, we heard that cutting emissions would cripple the economy--and wouldn't make much difference because China and India weren't on board.
There are still holdouts, not the least George W. Bush. His mantra is that China and India must sign on if the U.S. is to impose curbs. Peabody Energy (BTU) has hired ex-House Majority Leader Richard A. Gephardt to lobby against carbon curbs. And while many companies are waving green flags, environmentalists worry that some are more interested in protecting themselves than in saving the planet, since those not willing to negotiate could face higher costs. As Charles Territo of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers says: "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu."
Whatever the motivations, a profound shift has occurred on global warming. With Congress beginning work on a slew of bills, "the entire discussion has progressed from 'nothing is going to happen' to wrestling over the details," says Philip E. Clapp, president of the National Environmental Trust. "The jockeying has begun."
Why the dramatic shift from resisting the science to wrestling over policy? One reason: The long contrarian campaign has lost credibility. The main goal, stated in company and trade-association documents, was to sow as much doubt as possible. As a 1998 American Petroleum Institute memo says: "Victory will be achieved when...recognition of uncertainties becomes part of the 'conventional wisdom.'"
CONTINUED