Do yourself a favor and tune out the shrill cries of the global warming deniers. The fact is, there are lots of sound reasons for Congress to tune out that clamor and act swiftly to pass comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation. The severity of the climate crisis is impossible to dismiss – and we do so at our own peril. Anyone who is opposing this course of action is just blowing smoke.

Speaking of which, check out this video illustrating that point:

First, let’s consider the cost issue, shall we? As my colleague Pete Altman pointed out in his blog, the Congressional Budget Office released an analysis yesterday of the climate bill (now known as the Kerry-Boxer Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act). According to the report, CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimate that over the 2010-2019 period, enacting this legislation would:

* Increase federal revenues by about $854 billion;
* Increase direct spending by about $833 billion; and
* Reduce budget deficits by about $21 billion.

So, clean energy and climate legislation will help the United States cut its deficit, will make our economy more efficient and competetive, and will create as many as 1.9 million net new jobs. As Pete pointed out, that’s not bad for legislation chiefly aimed at cutting global warming pollution.

Perhaps the pocketbook issues just don’t float your boat. Well, be forewarned that you just might need that boat. Seriously.

The journal Nature just published a new paper that paints a plausible scenario for sea-levels rising 20 to 30 feet, even under a modest global temperature rise. The study — by Princeton and Harvard scientists — determined that at the current pace of greenhouse gas pollution a global temperature rise of 3.6 Fahrenheit (or 2 degrees Celsius) would lead to a long-term sea-level rise of at least 21.6 feet and possibly more. In case you’re wondering, that prediction is higher than previous projections, which put the sea-level increase at between 13 and 20 feet at that same temperature. Princeton University researcher Dr. Michael Oppenheimer, who co-authored the study, wins the award for understatement of the year by saying the findings are “something to worry about.”

So, the climate bill will save us money, boost jobs and help reduce the pollution that is cooking the planet. But, wait, there’s more! Switching to a clean energy economy will reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and bolster our national security. Don’t take my word for – ask veterans.

Check out the following statement by Operation Free denouncing U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), who is infamous for deriding global warming as hoax. Operation Free is a coalition of veterans and national security organizations dedicated to highlighting the connection between climate change and national security.

COPENHAGEN – Senator Inhofe continues to question US military leadership’s assessment that climate change is a threat to America’s national security. Yesterday’s comments come just days after he questioned the integrity of over a dozen retired Admirals and Generals because of their support for securing America with clean energy.

In response, Iraq war veteran, former US Army Captain, and Truman Project COO, Jonathan Powers released the following statement:

“The inevitable result of flood, famine, and refugee crises caused by climate change are the weak and failed states that become the safe
havens and recruiting bases of extremists. Yet Jim Inhofe continue to ignore this threat to America’s and the world’s security and abdicate his responsibility as a US Senator. Every day he delays action is one less day we have to protect us and our allies from preventable threats.

“The simple fact is that our dependence on fossil fuels makes America more vulnerable, while climate disruptions make the world a
more dangerous place for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Veterans across America working with Operation Free understand the threat. American and international military leaders know that climate change and dependence on dirty energy is a threat and they are taking action. It’s time for Jim Inhofe to put our security before partisanship and take his cue from the men and women who have dedicated their lives to securing their country.”

A delegation of US military veterans, many of whom are decorated combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, is in Copenhagen to highlight the connection between national security and clean energy. They are here as representatives of Operation Free, a coalition of veterans and national security organizations dedicated to securing America with clean energy.

Besides Operation Free, many other national security experts have stated that climate change threatens our national security – including, former Senator John Warner (R-VA), former Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), former CIA Director James Woolsey, Retired General Anthony Zinni, and Retired Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, General Wesley Clark.

Here are a few more relevant facts to back them up:

* The Department of Defense has identified climate change as a ‘threat
multiplier’ and plans on including the threat in the Quadrennial Defense
Review, as does the State Department. (
New York Times, August 8, 2009)

* The Central Intelligence Agency has opened a Center on Climate
Change and National Security. (
Central Intelligence Agency, September 25,
2009)

* In 2008, a National Intelligence Assessment from the National
Intelligence Council said “global climate change will have wide-ranging
implications for US national security interests over the next 20 years.”
(
Senate Testimony of Dr. Thomas Fingar, June 28, 2008)

There you have it. Clean energy and climate legislation promises less pollution, more jobs and more security.