In January a new congress takes over, with a reduced Democratic majority in the Senate and a lopsided Republican majority in the House. For the first time there will be an official House Caucus of Climate Change Deniers. In this new political environment, what prospects remain for continuing to maintain — let alone enhance — protection for the natural environment? And how can the United States provide any credible leadership in international negotiations to cutback greenhouse gas emissions when so many members of congress don't even believe that climate change is a real problem?
On this episode of Locus Focus, we talk with New York Times science writer Andrew Revkin about the challenges facing the environment and its advocates during the next session of Congress. But we'll also look at how this November's election has motivated scientists, including hundreds of members of the American Geophysical Union to speak out and challenge disinformation and misinformation deployed in the policy wars over global warming.
About Andrew Revkin
He's an author and reporter focused on the global environment and the human condition, as well as a songwriter, guitarist, family guy and senior fellow for environmental understanding at Pace University.
About Dot Earth
By 2050 or so, the human population is expected to reach nine billion, essentially adding two Chinas to the number of people alive today. Those billions will be seeking food, water and other resources on a planet where, scientists say, humans are already shaping climate and the web of life. In Dot Earth, which recently moved from the news side of The Times to the Opinion section, Andrew C. Revkin examines efforts to balance human affairs with the planet’s limits. Conceived in part with support from a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, Dot Earth tracks relevant developments from suburbia to Siberia. The blog is an interactive exploration of trends and ideas with readers and experts.
- KBOO