S. HRG. 106-1128 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS TO THE UNITED STATES HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, ONE HUNDRED SIXTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION JULY 18, 2000 Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Karl, Thomas R., Director, National Climatic Data Center, National Environ- mental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Oceanic and At- Singer, Dr. S. Fred, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, and Former Director of U.S. Weather Satellite Service Craig, Hon. Larry E., U.S. Senator from Idaho, prepared statement Robert Mendelsohn, Edwin Weyerhaeuser Davis Professor, Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, letter dated July 12, 2000 Murkowski, Hon. Frank H., U.S. Senator from Alaska, prepared statement Response to written questions submitted by Hon. John McCain to: 48 The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:32 a.m. in room SR253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. John McCain, Chairman of the Committee, presiding. OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN MCCAIN, U.S. SENATOR FROM ARIZONA The CHAIRMAN. Good morning. Earlier this year, we examined the science behind global warming as a means of defining the problem. Today we hope to further our efforts to understanding this issue by discussing the climate change impact on the United States, and the National Assessment Report. Because of the fact that at 9:45 a.m. we will begin a series of 11 votes, which will consume the entire morning, we have a problem. We contemplated delaying the rest of the hearing until this afternoon, but unfortunately, a number of our witnesses were not able to remain. So what I would like to do is begin with opening statements, go as long as we can, and then I will have to adjourn the hearing and reschedule it at a later date. With a vote every 10 minutes, I cannot keep the witnesses here for an extended period of time. It would not be fair to the witnesses, nor would it provide for a productive hearing. So what I would like to do is begin with our first panel, which is Dr. Thomas Karl, Director of the National Climatic Data Center, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service of NOAA, Dr. Anthony C. Janetos, Senior Vice President for Program, World Resources Institute, Dr. Raymond Schmitt, Senior Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institutions, and Dr. Fred Singer, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia. I would like to express my deep apology to all of the witnesses, particularly some who have come here from long distances. At this time of year, we affirm Mr. Bismarck's statement that the two things you never want to see made are laws and sausages. These are very important hearings and very important witnesses, and we will reschedule at the earliest date. Mr. Karl, we will begin with you. [The prepared statement of Senator McCain follows:] |