You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May, 2006.
1. Clarkcast005 – Leadership and Global Warming
General Clark discusses the issue of global warming, its origins and serious consequences. While technology can provide some assistance, the most effective approaches for solving the global warming issue require strong leadership.
2. Clarkcast007 – A Conversation with Senator Barbara Boxer
General Clark sits down with Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) to discuss global warming and the critical issues at hand in the U. S. Senate.
“Global Warming is a national security issue.” He’s said it many times before. I imagine participants at YearlyKos (June 8-11) will hear all about how Clark believes we are under major threat by a climate crisis, as he’s been podcasting and blogging for some time. But Clark is just as concerned about Science being under threat by Republicans. In addition to attending the Las Vegas keynote opening on Thursday night, General Clark will sit on the Friday panel, “Championing Science.”
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At a time when changes to the environment and weather conditions are impacting lives around the world, the ability to understand and counteract the effects of these changes is critical to our future. Championing scientific principles will help reduce the effects of actions taken by these pseudo-scientific groups.
Seeing the need for leadership on this topic, Gen. Clark spoke about climate change as part of a panel at the 2005 Clinton Global Initiative, where he said that the problem impacts national security. Clark has also produced podcasts discussing global warming, and has joined the virtual marchers on Stop Global Warming.org.
Stephen Darksyde says “I was star-struck to learn that the YearlyKos Science Panel will have the honor of hosting an actual four-star General. But then again I’m not surprised that Wesley Clark would value science given his former occupation: Sober analysis, pinpoint accuracy, and solid information can literally mean the difference between life and death for our men and women in uniform. And historically, the practical military applications that flow directly from science have sometimes been the key advantage for our armed forces when battling superior numbers or fanatical enemies.”
Advances in technology have made the YearlyKos convention possible, with presenters and attendees using facets of the Internet to track issues, store information, and stay current on topics of interest, such as science.
General Clark says that “The power and integrity of our democracy has been enhanced and enriched by the emergence of netroots technology and activity. For the first time in American history, people from all over the world can commune, communicate, and take action in real time, and that has forever changed politics. Blogging, podcasting, and other online community activities have captured the imagination of a world hungry for progress, and I am honored to be a part of it.”
“You are the frontline warriors. You’re all being equipped not with weapons of war, but with one of the most powerful ideas in human history, the scientific method, the idea that human knowledge can actually be sought and gained by the formulation of hypotheses about the observable world and the collection of objective, reputable data to prove or disprove and thereby advance the human condition”.
Source: WNYT-Albany, 5/20/06; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Commencement Speech
From Clark Community Network: Real Science
Are we prepared for the consequences of global warming?
Last week, NOAA announced its predictions for the 2006 hurricane season, warning of another active season with up to 6 major hurricanes that will attain a Cat 3 or higher status. One of the biggest concerns raised by this report is, “Are we prepared… this time?”
The catastrophic devastation in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina – its real costs in lives, resources and security – is a reminder that there are tragic consequences for being ill-prepared. Yet, even as our scientists continue to develop and report some of the most accurate climate modeling predictions, it’s clear that our government is not responsibly preparing for the consequences of global warming. Our nation may pride itself on its scientific and technological achievements, but this is a global problem — indiscriminate of national borders.
Next year in January 2007, the IPCC will present its 4th Climate Assessment Report, conclusively detailing its findings from the consensus of the scientific community that global warming by human-caused fossil fuel combustion will lead to a global crisis within this century. Based on the IPCC 2001 Report alone, global warming has been shown to have profound consequences on climate and the global community already. But as we struggle to adapt to and prevent potential adverse environmental and ecological events, the impacts on our social, economic and cultural foundations will certainly be challenging as we face a century that could be hallmarked by human-caused climate crisis.
