opinion

Flawed forecast from Ducey and climate change skeptics

Gov. Doug Ducey and the Legislature might want to rethink those $100 million in cuts to education and put some of that cash into a science class ... for themselves.

Ducey is "skeptical" about human-caused climate change. Likewise, the Legislature sent 10 anti-environmental resolutions to Congress and also is loaded with science deniers.

Speaking a while back after a meeting on fire danger during summer Ducey said, "We just went through a great briefing of all the experts. They informed me that the climate is changing. It's going to get warmer here."

Then he added, "What I am skeptical about is what human activity has to do with it."

I'm not scientifically equipped to illuminate the governor on this issue. However, I have read a few things that might help. For example, he might review a report available on National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) website. It deals with the human-caused aspect of climate change and reads in part:

"In its Fourth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of 1,300 independent scientific experts from countries all over the world under the auspices of the United Nations, concluded there's a more than 90 percent probability that human activities over the past 250 years have warmed our planet… The panel also concluded there's a better than 90 percent probability that human-produced greenhouse gases…have caused much of the observed increase in Earth's temperatures over the past 50 years."

This is one of many scientific studies on the subject, studies that deal in facts, not supposition, not superstition, and not political philosophy.

There are reports from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. From the Environmental Defense Fund. From the Union of Concerned Scientists. They all conclude, as the EPA reports, "Human activities are contributing to climate change, primarily by releasing billions of tons of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases, known as greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere every year."

If reading a scientific report is too daunting, Ducey might watch the documentary "Chasing Ice" featuring the work of National Geographic photographer James Balog and his Extreme Ice Survey. Or, if that film is too daunting, Ducey and lawmakers could watch any number of TED talks in which esteemed scientists briefly explain the human role in climate change.

According to a University of Arizona and Stanford University study, more than 70 percent of Arizona residents believe the government should limit greenhouse gases. The conclusions of the scientists cited above are based on methodical study of the natural world, not on whether they belong to the Republican Party or are Democrats.We live a state where climate change will have a huge impact on our lives. We need elected officials who are educated in the changes.

Ducey is "skeptical" of the science.

I'm skeptical of politicians.