6/13/13: In a hearing on the Department of Energy FY2014 budget, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, PhD, tries to explain that he knows global warming is man-made because of data to befuddled climate denier Rep. David McKinley (R-WV). Transcript McKINLEY: You made some remarks earlier, and I want to maybe parse the words a little bit. You said, um, um it's indisputable that there's global temperature change. I don't think, I don't know too many of us would disagree there hasn't been some global temperature change. My question is: Do you agree with Congressman Waxman that it's primarily manmade, or is it natural and cyclical? MONIZ: I believe, in my view, there's no question that a, a major component is anthropogenic. McKINLEY: Interesting. MONIZ: ... and that comes from ... McKINLEY: Is that from a consensus? MONIZ: It is practically, I would say 98% of scientists involved in this area. McKINLEY: You're well aware of the petition process that 32,000 scientists and physicists had disagreed with manmade... They say it's contributing. I think it would be irresponsible to say we don't contribute, but is it primarily? MONIZ: If I may say, I'd be happy to come and have a longer discussion, but a few facts that... First of all, the rise of CO2 in the last half century is clearly tracked to our global increased energy use. Secondly, I know how to count. I know how many CO2 molecules have gone out from fossil fuel combustion, and I know how many additional CO2 molecules are in the atmosphere. McKINLEY: Let me just close by saying, in terms of consensus, I think consensus has a place in politics. I don't think consensus has a place in science. MONIZ: I want to clarify . . . McKINLEY: I yield back. MONIZ: My judgment is based on numbers, on data, not on the consensus. I would be really delighted if we could have a discussion. McKINLEY: If we can have that, I'd like to do that.

Be the first to comment