Posted on 08/25/2006 1:55:51 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Sen. Dianne Feinstein unveiled a package of legislation aimed at combating global warming, calling it the "greatest environmental challenge facing this planet."
The California Democrat's plan would require automakers to boost fuel economy, increase use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar and force companies to lower emissions of the "greenhouse gases" blamed for warming the planet.
If action isn't taken, Feinstein said, global temperatures could rise by as much as 9 degrees, leading to massive extinction of species, rising ocean levels and an increasing number of devastating storms, floods and wildfires.
"Working together, I believe we can reduce our emissions sufficiently to stabilize the Earth's climate, minimize warming, and slow global temperature increase to 1-2 degrees to avoid catastrophic climate change," Feinstein said Thursday during a speech at the Commonwealth Club.
Feinstein has already introduced some of the legislation mentioned in her speech, including a measure requiring cars and trucks to get 10 more miles per gallon within the next decade.
A new provision would bring farmers and landowners into a "cap and trade" market system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers and landowners who plant trees or grow biofuels such as ethanol would be able to earn emission credits that could be sold to firms that exceed emission limits.
While scientists and environmentalists back most of her proposals, the Bush administration and Congressional Republicans have expressed little enthusiasm for measures they believe are unnecessary and could hurt the economy.
It's just peeing into the wind.
Methane is a greenhouse gas.
New law: flatulence will now be fined. If the gas release was silent, the fine will be apportioned on the theory of "He who smelt it, dealt it."
Diane having political hot flashes again?
"The California Democrat's plan would require automakers to boost fuel economy, increase use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar and force companies to lower emissions of the "greenhouse gases" blamed for warming the planet."
Technology to "boost fuel economy" has existed for decades. The oil industry, in cooperation with the auto industry, has bought out patents on various inventions so as to keep these items out of the publics hands. With all the money they're making with current crude prices, why would they want to cut off their nose to spite their face?
She can start by putting her mouth on a muffler pipe.
Only the furthest edge of the lunatic fringe believes this.
Every liberal in America or world, stop consuming energy, period. The demand would drop like a lead balloon, prices would plument, and the rest of us would have less traffic to wade through, and spend less money on energy.
The liberals can "ric-shaw" minorities everywhere (a penance for being white).
The greatest enviromental challenge will be if we all get rid of the automobile and ride on bicycles. But the CA senator will not say that - she won't get re-elected.
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Feinstein said, global temperatures could rise by as much as 9 degrees,
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Sooooooo.... it's up to 9 degrees now? What rabbit hat is she pulling that one from?
Why, exactly, would we want to do that?
And what do you drive, Diane?
Too bad we can't come up with oxygen consumption credits based on minimum use.
Yeah...what is this douchebag going to give up in order to stop[ the supposed global warming? Just like John Kerry IFOUGHTINVIETNAM, and ALGORE!
What, you didn't get a Beer Tree?
I planted two dozen trees last year; deer have eaten half of them so far-- and I live well-inside the city limits, so it is illegal to shoot their flatulent butts and I'm not about to build an eight foot fence which would cost $10K, at least to keep them off my property while making it look like Stalag 17. I didn't do it to solve the greenhouse gas problem, I just wanted my grandchildren and other kids in the neighborhood to have the experience I had as a boy of having fruit and nut trees around for some midnight raiding. Also, selfishly speaking, to once again have a few peaches to enjoy that are not harder than gourds like those California peaches (Madame Feinstein) in the supermarkets are.
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