Letter From Scott "Wingnut" Garrett

[Lenape85]

Thank you for contacting me regarding global climate change. I value your comments and appreciate the opportunity to respond.

There is concern that human activities are affecting the heat/energy-exchange balance between Earth, the atmosphere, and space thereby inducing global climate change. Some scientists believe that human activities, which have increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) by one-third over the past 100 years, may be leading to an increase in global average temperatures. However, the science of "global warming" is not without challengers, who argue that scientific proof is incomplete or contradictory, and that there remain many uncertainties about the nature and direction of Earth's climate.

One proposed solution to "global warming" is the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change. The United States signed to the protocol on November 12, 1998. However, the Clinton Administration did not submit the protocol to the Senate for advice and consent, acknowledging that one condition outlined by S.Res. 98 passed in mid-1997 by a unanimous vote - meaningful participation by developing countries in building commitments limiting greenhouse gases - had not been met.

As the treaty currently reads, nations such as Brazil and China would not be held to the same standards as the United States, This could be devestating to America, which is already taking steps to cut down on emissions. Additionally, the protocol would not take into account the vast forests that America has that acts as carbon sinks, converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. America continues to find ways to preserve our precious forests that are not only beautiful, but that work to clean our air.

At this time, we are already seeing progress in the area of cleaner air. On February 14, 2002, President Bush announced a U.S. policy for climate change: a "new approach for meeting the long-term challenge of climate change." The centerpiece of this announcement was the plan to reduce greenhouse gas intensity of the U.S. economy by 18% over the next 10 years. Greenhouse gas intensity measures the ration of greenhouse gas emissions to economic output and has been declining in the United States over the past several years. This plan offers market incentives to reduce greenhouse gas while keeping our economy strong and not placing an extra burden on America's families.

President Bush has also dedicated government research into alternative energy technologies, including hydrogen power for automobilies. Additionally, the government is funding programs to help other countries control their pollution and is working with other nations to research fusion power.

We all want clean water, clean air, pristine vistas, and an unspoiled legacy for our children and grandchildren. Americans also need a strong economy to provide jobs, food, and healthcare for their families. The United States already spends more than all other nations combined on climate change research and new technology for development. If the Kyoto treaty were enacted, the average American family would pay up to $4000 to compensate for the additional energy costs. We must work to achieve a balance between the needs of our environment and the daily needs of our citizens.

It is important that we continue to monitor our climate to see whether our activities are causing damage. I support common sense proposals to cut down on pollution while keeping Americans working and making our world a better place to live. Legislation concerning treaties is under the jurisdiction of the United States Senate. If this treaty is brought to the Senate, it will require two-thirds of the Senate's support for passage. If any legislation concerning cleaner air, water, or other aspects of a cleaner environment comes before me in the House of Representatives, I will consider it with your thoughts in mind.

(Hydrogen cars, healthy forests, not signing on to an important agreement even though we are the biggest emitter of greenhouse emissions, I say this guy's nuts, and I've received other letters like this before).

Wolfe in 2004.