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Climate Change Debate: Senators Inhofe and Markey Clashing on Copenhagen Summit

Strategic Insights

— 3 min read

As the Copenhagen climate summit convened, Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) and Representative Ed Markey (D-MA) appeared on CNN's "The Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer for a heated debate on climate change and the Obama administration's plans to regulate greenhouse gases. The discussion centered on the significance of leaked e-mails, the science behind climate change, and the feasibility of global action to address the issue.

The debate began with Blitzer's question to Inhofe about whether EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson was correct in stating that the leaked e-mails did not undermine the science upon which the administration's decision to regulate greenhouse gases was based. Inhofe strongly disagreed, citing a letter from Jackson, stating that the science was based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He emphasized that the IPCC science had been debunked and that the leaked e-mails revealed a pattern of scientists trying to suppress dissenting views.

Markey responded by pointing out that the National Academy of Sciences and the IPCC had endorsed the findings on climate change, and that the leaked e-mails actually included many of the criticisms of climate science that had been previously acknowledged. He highlighted the significant increase in temperatures in Alaska over the past 50 years, the warming ocean temperatures, and the melting of permafrost, which he argued demonstrated the urgency of the climate crisis.

Inhofe countered that the debate around climate change had been predetermined, and that the Obama administration's plans would lead to a huge tax increase with no benefits. He cited the importance of developing America's own resources and questioned the feasibility of providing billions of dollars to poor nations to deal with climate change. Markey emphasized the need for the United States to reduce its dependence on imported oil, create green jobs, and invest in renewable energy technologies to address climate change and improve national security.

The moderator, Wolf Blitzer, pressed the senators on funding for poor nations, and Inhofe stated that there was no chance Congress would provide billions of dollars for climate change efforts. Markey countered that the United States needed to invest in renewable energy to reduce emissions and improve energy security.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) questioned the science behind the Obama administration's decision to regulate greenhouse gases, citing the debunking of IPCC science and allegations of scientists suppressing dissenting views.
  • Representative Ed Markey (D-MA) stated that the National Academy of Sciences and IPCC had endorsed the findings on climate change, and that the leaked e-mails included previously acknowledged criticisms of climate science.
  • The senators agreed to return on CNN's "The Situation Room" the following week, after the Copenhagen climate summit, to continue their debate.
  • Senator Inhofe emphasized the need for America to develop its own resources and questioned the feasibility of providing billions of dollars to poor nations to deal with climate change.
  • Representative Markey highlighted the importance of reducing America's dependence on imported oil, creating green jobs, and investing in renewable energy technologies to address climate change and improve national security.

Statistics:

  • $75 to $100 billion: The estimated annual cost for developing nations to adopt climate change measures, according to the World Bank.
  • 8 million barrels per day: The United States' oil production in a day, while consuming 13 million barrels per day.
  • 3 percent: The U.S. share of global oil reserves.
  • 25 percent: The U.S. share of global oil consumption.
  • 1.5 to 2 million: The estimated number of new jobs to be created in the green energy sector under Representative Markey's proposal.
  • $10 billion: The estimated annual funding commitment by the U.S. government to poor nations, as stated by Senator Inhofe.
  • $800 billion: The amount of U.S. debt owned by China.

Sources:

  • CNN's "The Situation Room" interview with Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) and Representative Ed Markey (D-MA), December 7, 2009.
  • EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson's announcement on regulating greenhouse gases, December 7, 2009.
  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports.
  • The National Academy of Sciences reports.
  • World Bank estimates on climate change funding.

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