PrintJanuary 2, 2009
NASA's James Hansen to the Rescue!
NASA's James Hansen has written a personal letter to President-elect Obama outlining his plans for saving the planet from global warming. Hansen has been wrong so many times about the "inevitability" of global warming that most of us have lost count. But it is hard to be wrong -- when it feels so right.
According to James Randerson writing for the U.K. Guardian, Hansen, head of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, has asked that his letter be delivered directly to Obama. The letter was signed by Hansen and his wife and is addressed to President-elect and Michelle Obama. (Proving, no doubt scientifically, that global warming is a family concern.):
The letter, from Hansen and his wife Anniek, is a personal plea to the first couple. It begins: "We write to you as fellow parents concerned about the Earth that will be inherited by our children, grandchildren, and those yet to be born ... Jim has advised governments previously through regular channels. But urgency now dictates a personal appeal."
Hansen informs Obama that proposed cap and trade regulations are not enough. Hansen wants all coal fired generating plants closed down. He calls the plants "factories of death." Ignorant non-science people like me have always assumed that these plants produced electricity. Glad Hansen is setting Obama straight on that one.
"Coal is responsible for as much atmospheric carbon dioxide as the other fossil fuels combined, and its reserves make coal even more important for the long run," the Hansens wrote.
Not only is James Hansen a scientist, he is also (apparently) an economist. Hansen, who was prominently featured in Al Gore's movie, proposes a
"carbon tax and 100% dividend": a mechanism for putting a price on carbon without raising money for government coffers. The idea is to tax carbon at source, then redistribute the revenue equally among taxpayers, so high carbon users are penalised while low carbon users are rewarded.
Maybe Hansen should just stick to his job. I think it has something to do with rockets.
Hat tip: Otis A. Glazebrook (IV!)
Update: Noel Sheppard of Newsbusters notices that Hansen is also an income redistributionist. It's all about the socialism....
Update: Noel Sheppard of Newsbusters notices that Hansen is also an income redistributionist. It's all about the socialism....
