[MCN] Memos show Bush 41 team knew climate dangers

[Lance Olsen]

The Hill - 12/03/15 10:33 AM EST

Memos show Bush 41 advisers worried about climate change

By Timothy Cama

Newly released documents from the George H.W. Bush administration 
show that his advisers and Cabinet were very worried about the 
threats posed by climate change.

The documents, released Wednesday by a non-profit group after a 
public records request, show Bush's senior staff considering whether 
dramatic action could stop the worst effects of climate change.

"Global climate change is the most far reaching environmental issue 
of our time," a 1989 memo from acting assistant Secretary of State 
Richard J. Smith said. "If the climate change within the range of 
current predictions actually occurs, the consequences for every 
nation and every aspect of human activity will be profound."

Writing to Secretary of State James Baker, Smith said, "As you 
yourself stated we cannot wait until all the uncertainties have been 
resolved before we act to limit greenhouse gas emissions and to 
prepare for whatever climate change we are already committed to."

The memos were released as world leaders gather in Paris to negotiate 
a global climate change accord.

The National Security Archive also found documents from President 
Reagan administration showing his advisers expressing concerns with 
big environmental issues of the day.

Specifically, they were pushing for more action to protect the ozone 
layer and participate in a global treaty on ozone.

"Many regard this issue as the most important priority on the global 
environmental agenda," a top official wrote to Reagan Secretary of 
State George Shultz.

Staying out of the treaty, the memo said, "would damage our 
international credibility, unleash major domestic criticism, and 
probably result in unilateral U.S." action to protect ozone.

-- 
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"The broad pattern of these changes is clear enough."

George Woodwell.  The Energy Cycle of the Biosphere.
Scientific American, September 1970, p. 36


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