Competitive Enterprise Institute
Director of Global Warming and International Environmental Policy for the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a conservative free market, limited government think-tank based in Washington, DC
PROFILE
Myron Ebell
Guest
FROM Myron Ebell
Which Way, L.A.?
The Heartland Institute, Global Warming and Public Schools Documents leaked last week reveal efforts to cast doubt on climate change with a new curriculum for public schools. Some call it similar to challenging Evolution by pushing Creationism. The Heartland Institute , a libertarian nonprofit group in Chicago, says at least one document supposedly "leaked" last week is a complete fake. But Heartland concedes that others accurately reveal the names of its funders. Is it really about science or public policy?
To the Point
Global Warming and the Culture Wars Leaked documents show that the nonprofit Heartland Institute is trying to shake the confidence of public school teachers in human-caused climate change. Its proposed K-12 curriculum says there is "scientific controversy," when a broad consensus of scientists says the case is all too clear. It's evidence of how so-called "merchants of doubt" are challenging efforts to limit the burning of fossil fuels and emissions of greenhouse gases. How does the effort to contradict climate science compare to the push to teach Creationism as the "other side" of Evolution?
Which Way, L.A.?
FEMA, Disaster Relief and the Politics of Global Warming Hurricane Irene is the most recent in a string of natural disasters, including the tornado in Joplin, Missouri, flooding in Minot, North Dakota, drought in Texas and wildfires in the Southwest. President Obama is promising federal help to victims of Hurricane Irene, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency is running out of money and House Republican leaders say any new federal assistance will have to be paid for with cuts elsewhere in the budget. We hear about disaster relief in the short term and the long-term politics of global warming.
To the Point
Disaster Relief and the Politics of Global Warming Climate scientist won't attribute a given weather disturbance to global warming, but the consensus is that rising temperatures will lead to bigger and stronger storms. Tornados in Joplin, Missouri; flooding in Minot, North Dakota; drought in Texas, wildfires in the Southwest and, now, Irene all raise the question of whether global warming is creating "weird weather." Most Republican Presidential candidates are skeptical of global warming, especially the idea that it's caused by human activity. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA , is short of money, and House Republican leaders say any new federal assistance will have to be paid for with cuts elsewhere in the budget. With President Obama promising help to all those affected, will disaster protection and climate change be issues in next year's campaign?
Which Way, L.A.?
Views on Global Warming Change with the Weather Surveys show that public opinion on climate change quite literally shifts with the weather. Now there's a more persuasive kind of evidence. The recent spate of extreme weather -- flooding in Pakistan, Fires in Russia, landslides in China and unprecedented extremes in the US -- appears to confirm predictions made by earlier models of global warming, according to the World Meteorological Organization . Dmitry Medvedev says it's " a wake-up call to all… heads of state." But, when it comes to tough decisions about industrial policy, skeptics are ahead of the game. The political will to take action is as variable as the weather. The world is getting warmer, whether industrial greenhouse emissions are the cause or not. Is there need for some action before it's too late?
To the Point
Views on Global Warming Change with the Weather Surveys show that public opinion on climate change quite literally shifts with the weather. Now there's a more persuasive kind of evidence. The recent spate of extreme weather -- flooding in Pakistan, Fires in Russia, landslides in China and unprecedented extremes in the US -- appears to confirm predictions made by earlier models of global warming, according to the World Meteorological Organization . Dmitry Medvedev says it's " a wake-up call to all… heads of state." But, when it comes to tough decisions about industrial policy, skeptics are ahead of the game. The political will to take action is as variable as the weather. The world is getting warmer, whether industrial greenhouse emissions are the cause or not. Is there need for some action before it's too late?
Recommended
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.