Looking for a Miracle?

Earth from Space

I recently visited the Kennedy Space Center, mostly because my mom was very excited about seeing it. But I really enjoyed it and drew far more from what I saw there than I ever expected.

There was a lot of talk in the videos and I-Max movies we saw from astronauts and others involved in the space program. They talked about the tremendous effort it took to make the NASA accomplishments into reality. They actually used the word "miraculous." At one point I realized that this kind of national effort is what it will take for us to slow climate change and possibly eventually reverse it. There are many ways to approach the problem. Because it IS happening now. Fixing it will be miraculous but not impossible.

I just received a summary of environmental policy news from the Ecological Society of America. Take a look:

CONGRESS: SCIENTISTS ASK LAWMAKERS TO TAKE 'FRESH LOOK' AT CLIMATE CHANGE

In a recent letter circulated to Members of Congress, 18 scientists from various universities and research centers called for lawmakers to take a "fresh look" at climate change. The letter notes that "every one of the leading national scientific academies worldwide - have concluded that human activity is changing the climate. This is not a 'belief.' Instead, it is an objective evaluation of the scientific evidence."

The letter, circulated Jan. 28, highlights that the effects of climate change are already having serious implications.  "Our coastal areas are now facing increasing dangers from rising sea levels and storm surges; the southwest and southeast are increasingly vulnerable to drought; other regions will need to prepare for massive flooding from the extreme storms of the sort being experienced with increasing frequency...Our military recognizes that the consequences of climate change have direct security implications for the country that will only become more acute with time, and it has begun the sort of planning required across the board."

The letter also references the U.S. Climate Impacts Report, commissioned by the George W. Bush administration, which states: "Climate change poses unique challenges to human health...There are direct health impacts from heat waves and severe storms, ailments caused or exacerbated by air pollution and airborne allergens, and many climate-sensitive infectious diseases."

The scientists write that specific legislative action should be left to elected leaders but that "as scientists, we have an obligation to evaluate, report, and explain the science behind climate change."

To view the entire letter, click here:
http://theprojectonclimatescience.org/2011/02/the-importance-of-science-in-addressing-climate-change/