National Academy of Sciences urges pricier coal, oil


The National Academy of Sciences specifically called for a carbon tax on fossil fuels or a cap-and-trade system for curbing greenhouse gas emissions, labeling global warming an urgent threat.

The academy, which advises the government on scientific matters, said the nation needs to cut the pollution that causes global warming by 57 percent to 83 percent by 2050. That's close to President Barack Obama's goal.

"We really need to get started right away. It's not opinion - it's what the science tells you," said academy panel vice chairman Robert Fri.

Fri was acting Environmental Protection Agency chief under President Richard Nixon and until recently was on the board of American Electric Power Co., a major producer of carbon dioxide.


In the past, the academy has called climate change a problem but hasn't recommended a specific policy. The impetus for its bolder stance was a request by Congress to look at climate change and how the nation should react.

The cap-and-trade idea, supported by the Obama administration, has been proposed for several years in Congress but has never passed the Senate. It would set overall limits on carbon dioxide pollution, but would let companies pollute more by paying for it and buying pollution credits from cleaner companies.

A version that doesn't use the cap-and-trade phrase but has similar characteristics was introduced last week. Lawmakers have pledged a floor vote on the bill this summer.


Among recommendations included in three reports issued by the academy Wednesday was one that a central agency be in charge of the response, possibly a greatly strengthened U.S. Global Change Research Program. The reports also lay out a series of proposals to adapt to inevitable changes, such as shifting vulnerable populations away from coasts and finding ways to protect the limited water supplies in the Southwest.

Change is occurring with warmer temperatures, melting ice caps, rising seas and in other areas that have been carefully studied, said Pam Matson, dean of earth sciences at Stanford University.

The Associated Press,

Los Angeles Times

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