Global Warming House Committee Visits Greenland

CLIMATE SCIENCE

Chairman Markey and Speaker Pelosi. Behind them is an iceberg that has already turned over, hence the smooth surface. Credit: House of Representatives

by Staff Writers
Jakobshavn Glacier, Greenland (SPX) Jun 05, 2007
While most Americans are enjoying the beach or barbeque at this time of year, Chairman Edward Markey of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of the Select Committee on an international fact-finding mission on global warming impacts and solutions during Memorial Day weekend.

The bipartisan delegation arrived in Greenland on May 26, and continued on to Germany, Great Britain and Belgium, meeting with leading scientists and political leaders working on solutions to combat global warming.

"By calling for a limit on temperature rise through cuts in heat-trapping emissions, the E.U. is recognizing the scientific consensus that the worst effects of global warming are yet to come if we do not act," said Chairman Markey. "With a small amount of additional warming the world could see more heat waves, more drought, and the Greenland ice sheet would melt at an even more alarming rate, raising sea levels.

Along with Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Markey, the delegation included Select Committee members Hilda Solis (D-CA), Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin(D-SD), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), John Larson (D-CT), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO). David Hobson, a Republican from Ohio and Ranking member of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee was also traveling.

The bipartisan delegation first headed to Greenland and met with Dr. Konrad Steffen, who is the lead scientist at Swiss Camp located on the Jakobshavn Glacier. In Europe, the delegation was scheduled to meet with Chancellor Merkel, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, foreign and environmental ministers, members of parliament and leading environmentalists and scientists.

Because of the significance of this trip, the air travel will be carbon offset through the Pacific Forest Trust - a forest conservation and stewardship project that will permanently reduce approximately 500,000 tons of CO2 emissions over a 100-year period. Speaker Pelosi will personally pay for this effort.

Chairman Markey had this to say about the meeting: "It's one thing to hear about the problem when we're in Washington, but seeing Greenland up close and seeing the impressive, grueling scientific work these scholars are doing makes you realize the importance of their sacrifice, and the urgency to act to cut heat-trapping emissions all over the world. It may be cold up here now, but Dr. Steffan and his colleagues are supplying information that will really put the heat on those who still think global warming is something we can wish away."

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