(12/9/2006)

Group Advises Skepticism Toward Climate Change Claims

"Irrational hysteria is not a basis for forming public policy."

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 /Standard Newswire/ -- On Wednesday December 6, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on public misperceptions of human-caused climate change, focusing on the role of the media. Committee members invited several experts representing a variety of disciplines to share their views on the scientific justification for climate change and the media response to these issues.

IRD President Jim Tonkowich commented:

"For far too long the media has promoted an unchallenged view of climate change and its alleged catastrophic impact upon the Earth. The public deserves to hear more than just one side of the climate change debate.

"Irrational hysteria is not a basis for forming public policy. When contrary data on historical warming is ignored and an entire viewpoint is silenced, the public interest is not served.

"Extremist policies ranging from energy rationing to population control are the result of a one-sided debate. No wonder climate change proponents are clamoring to silence dissenting views in order to advance a much broader agenda.

"By continuing to demand ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, which would permanently wound the US economy, these so-called unbiased reporters are endangering democracy in our country, and calling for the crippling of the free market.

"We owe [Environment & Public Works Chairman] Senator Inhofe a debt of gratitude for providing a forum in which a full range of experts on climate issues can share their views."

The Institute on Religion and Democracy, founded in 1981, is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches' social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad.