I wrote to Rep. Mark Amodei NV2 expressing my concerns about climate. Here’s his response in which (1) he espouses climate change denialism (“I do not believe it is appropriate for the federal government to advocate one position over the other”), and (2) advocates that we should commission an “unbiased research effort funded by both the government and the private sector to answer the essential questions about climate change.” Unbiased? Really? What’s biased about 97% agreement amongst the scientists across our nation? I guess that isn’t good enough for “Mr. I Know Better Than Scientists” and that he’ll do all he can to stall out any action until it’s too late to do absolutely ANYTHING that might mitigate the dire circumstances in which we’ll find ourselves mired within the next decade or two.
Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts on climate change. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.
As you know, climatology is complex issue. For the past century scientists have widely accepted that the earth is slowly becoming warmer. Over the past 30 to 40 years, some have noted the rate of increase has become steeper.
There are many theories regarding what has caused the increase and how it can affect life as well as the environment. Most believe the earth’s warming is largely man made and that the increase in greenhouse gases is the main factor in rising temperatures. The focus of debate comes from the lack of scientific consensus on how the earth will continue to warm, and what we should to do curb the effects of any warming. Some political leaders and environmental supporters stipulate that the earth’s temperature could rise by as much as 6 degrees by the end of the century. Other noted environmentalists say that rate of increase is implausible. Over the past decade, we have seen a major slowdown in global warming and scientists are still in the process of explaining this phenomenon.
Like you I believe we need to be good stewards of our environment. I also believe we need to be wary about sweeping environmental policies driven more by emotions than by sound science. We need to be careful that our policies don’t trade one bad environmental practice for another. As an example, some of our more fuel efficient and therefore emission friendly vehicles are made with materials that are very energy intensive to mine and take much longer to decompose than those of their less fuel efficient counterparts.
I do not believe it is appropriate for the federal government to advocate one position over the other. I do agree we must have an unbiased research effort funded by both the government and the private sector to answer the essential questions about climate change. Since 1990, the U.S. has spent at least $50 billion on climate research.
With sound science and a clear understanding of the natural climate cycles that the earth undergoes, we will be able to develop effective solutions to the human causes of global warming. As legislation to address this issue comes to the House floor for a vote, be assured I will consider it carefully and keep your thoughts in mind.
I appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to apprise me of your opinions and hope that you will contact me again should you have any further comments or concerns. If you would like additional information on my activities in the House, please visit my website, www.Amodei.house.gov or connect with me on facebook.com/MarkAmodeiNV2 and twitter.com/MarkAmodeiNV2.
In closing, please know that I consider it a privilege to serve and represent you and your family in Congress.
Sincerely,
Most interestingly, and hilariously, his letter invites me to connect with him on Twitter:
When I clicked on “FOLLOW” … I got the cute little note at the top of the page indicating that I’ve been BLOCKED at the request of the user.