Global warming policy milestone, and looking ahead…
by Fresh EnergyBy Erin Stojan Ruccolo, program coordinator, Fresh Energy
Twenty years ago this week, NASA climate scientist James Hansen testified to Congress about the human causes of global warming. Grist, the environmental news blog (“a beacon in the smog”), is writing a three-part series to commemorate this milestone in global warming policy (the third part will be released tomorrow on Grist.org).
According to Ben Block of the Worldwatch Institute, who is penning the series for Grist, Hansen’s groundbreaking testimony “…was the first time a lead scientist drew a connection between human activities, the growing concentration of atmospheric pollutants, and a warming climate.”
Hansen has not stopped at that 1988 Congressional hearing, however. Here in Minnesota this spring, Dr. Hansen leant his voice as a civilian Midwesterner (he grew up in Iowa and has family in Minnesota) in a letter asking Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty to oppose transmission lines for the proposed Big Stone II coal plant near Milbank, South Dakota. Hansen argued that opposing the Big Stone II coal plant was necessary to curb global warming pollution the plant would emit, and to curb higher energy costs. Most recently, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission delayed their decision on Big Stone II, asking for more analysis into the higher energy costs caused by carbon-intensive energy sources like coal plants.
Hear Dr. Hansen’s press conference call and read the letter Dr. Hansen sent Governor Pawlenty.
