Speaker, as we prepare to debate global warming and climate change today, the ACDP notes the following comments by a leading sceptic of man-made global warming, who said the Group of Eight leaders have embraced a new movement he calls "climate astrology".
President Obama and other Group of Eight, G8, leaders promised in October that they would keep temperatures from rising more than 6,3F or 2C above average levels of more than a century ago. They also agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.
Marc Morano, Executive Editor of Climatedepot.com, says, "it is ridiculous for G8 leaders to believe they have the power to turn up or down the earth's thermostat. This is the height of arrogance", he exclaimed, "this is the madness of our age, that world leaders, including our own President, can go up there with a straight face and act as though they can control the earth's thermostat, act as though they control nature."
Morano compares the G8 leaders' mindset to what he calls a "third world mentality". In Uganda, he says that they are blaming drought and disease on angry gods, and that people are saying they need to be educated. "Who actually needs to be educated here", Morano asks, "is it the Ugandans who blame bad weather on angry gods or is it Western leaders who actually think they can control the climate?"
From the point of view of the ACDP, what began as an important call to responsible stewardship of the earth has become more like a religion, as followers get more fanatical in their claims and demands. Thank you.