Global Warming

The Carbon Institute's Richard Bell, who was also the Kerry campaign's blogmaster, has a terrifying report on today's Congressional hearings:

Global warming is sweeping Capitol Hill. Tuesday featured three different committee hearings, with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee featuring heavy-hitter Sir Nicholas Stern. Stern is the author of the influential 2006 Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change.

Stern told the Senators that the costs of inaction in dealing with global warming far exceeded, by at least 5 times, the cost of dealing with global warming today....

One of the most striking phrases in Stern’s presentation was his description of climate change as "the biggest market failure the world has ever seen."

To those who whine that the Democrats are no better than the Republicans, I say that were the Republicans still in power, these hearings would not be taking place! It's a start! But I also repeat what I will continue to repeat:

To all our presidential candidates: we need to hear what you will do about global warming. It's not anywhere close to enough to criticize the Bush Administration or to acknowledge what is now basic scientific consensus. We need to hear plans! No issue is more important! Do you have the courage to discuss economic sacrifice? Are you ready to lead?