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Bush Claims There's a "Debate" on Human-Caused Global Warming

The Intersection
By Chris Mooney
Mar 30, 2006 10:27 PMNov 5, 2019 10:12 AM

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Via the Progress Report, I see that George W. Bush is sounding more and more like an out-and-out greenhouse skeptic. Perhaps his meeting with Michael Crichton influenced him? From Bush's recent press conference:

Q From Australia. I've got a question about global warming -- in the Australian Parliament, Tony Blair called for greater action. And this seems to be something that the U.S. President could make a major difference on. There's a virtual consensus that the planet is warming. If you addressed issues like emissions, fuel efficiency, issues to do with alternative energy in your last few years as President, it could make a significant difference I think to the -- THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate you bringing that up. Q -- and I suppose I want to know, what is your plan? THE PRESIDENT: Good. We -- first of all, there is -- the globe is warming. The fundamental debate: Is it manmade or natural.

This may be the president's most disturbing statement yet on global warming. In the past he has been more cautious and even accepting of the basic scientific consensus. Here, however, Bush calls into question the central scientific finding that today's global warming is largely human-caused, and suggests there's a "debate" about that fact. Incredible.

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