Global Warming
Scientists have concluded that the earth's surface is warming and that human activities are contributing to global warming by pumping large quantities of heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Significant increases in the average temperature of the earth's surface will endanger human health, increase the intensity of extreme weather events such as storms, floods, and droughts, and damage fragile ecosystems. Since people are causing global warming, they also have it within their power to prevent it from getting worse. Governments, businesses, and individuals each have a role to play. In particular, the US government must take a leading role in forging international agreements on global warming, as well as in implementing domestic policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through investments in energy efficiency and renewable-energy technologies. These actions to reduce global warming would have other benefits as well, including improving air quality and reducing America's dependence on foreign oil. Hundreds of thousands of new jobs would be created by emerging industries producing products such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric cars. At the same time, since other sectors, such as coal mining, would see reductions in production and employment, any national global-warming policy has to include provisions to help affected workers and regions make the transition to a sustainable energy future. But as we debate the costs of taking action on global warming, we must also consider the significant costs of inaction -- to our economic well-being, environment, and public health.
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