OK. That part's done.
Now that the entire planet (with the exception of Sen. Inhofe) agrees that global climate change and our contribution to it is indisputable, the question remains how to fix it.
Australia took a major step recently in electing Kevin Rudd, who made climate change a major campaign issue, their new Prime Minister. Rudd has agreed to sign on to Kyoto, leaving the US as the lone holdout.
Even Newt Gingrich, who not long ago disputed the science, has come to admit that we face an "urgent" problem. On that point he is absolutely correct. Where he is not, though, is in how the problem must be resolved.
If you recall, Senator Kerry and former Speaker Gingrich debated climate change earlier this year, and though they agree on the science and the need to act, they were pretty far apart on the solution. Newt, of course, is wrong.
Not entirely wrong, mind you. Newt argues that the private sector has, and will continue to take some positive steps toward addressing climate change. On that point, I think there's agreement. But without regulation, those efforts will fall far short of what's needed to address the most urgent issue of our time.
Watch the full debate at C-SPAN, and look for more on the upcoming climate change talks in Bali this December. Senator Kerry and Senator Boxer, who will lead the Senate delegation, are finishing up the necessary work here at home next week in both the Environment and the Commerce Committees before they take it on the road.
Look for more on the Bali conference and an expected vote in the Senate on the Lieberman-Warner bill in the coming days.
