AAPG Home

GeoDC

Congressional Testimonies

Position Statement:

Climate Change (PDF)

Issue:

In the last century growth in human populations has increased energy use. This has contributed additional carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other gases to the atmosphere. Although the AAPG membership is divided on the degree of influence that anthropogenic CO₂ has on recent and potential global temperature increases, the AAPG believes that expansion of scientific climate research into the basic controls on climate is important. This research should be undertaken by appropriate federal agencies involved in climate research and their associated grant and contract programs.

Background:

Geologists study the history of the earth and realize climate has changed often in the past due to natural causes. The Earth’s climate naturally varies constantly, in both directions, at varying rates, and on many scales. In recent decades global temperatures have risen. Yet, our planet has been far warmer and cooler than today many times in the geologic past, including the past 10,000 years.

Certain climate simulation models predict that the warming trend will continue, as reported through NAS, AGU, AAAS, and AMS. AAPG respects these scientific opinions but wants to add that the current climate warming projections could fall within well-documented natural variations in past climate and observed temperature data. These data do not necessarily support the maximum case scenarios forecast in some models. To be predictive, any model of future climate should also accurately model known climate and greenhouse gas variations recorded in the geologic history of the past 200,000 years.

Statement:

• AAPG supports expanding scientific climate research into the basic controls on climate specifically including the geological, solar and astronomic aspects of climate change. Research should include understanding causes of past climate change and the potential effects of both increasing and decreasing temperatures in the future.
• AAPG supports research to narrow probabilistic ranges on the effect of anthropogenic CO₂ on global climate.
• AAPG supports reducing emissions from fossil fuel use as a worthy goal. (However, emission reduction has an economic cost, which must be compared to the potential environmental gain).
• AAPG supports the premise that economies must retain their vitality to be able to invest in alternative energy sources as fossil fuels become more expensive.
• AAPG supports thepursuit of economically viable technology to sequester carbon dioxide emissions and emissions of other gases in a continuing effort to improve our environment and enhance energy recovery.
• AAPG supports measures to conserve energy, which has the affect of both reducing emissions and preserving energy supplies for the future.

H.R. 6: Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.00006:

An Act to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers from price gouging, to increase the energy efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government. It specifically directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a research program on abrupt climate change.

Status:

Passed by House; Amended and passed by Senate

H.R. 1548: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.01585:

Requires the first national security strategy and national defense strategy prepared after the enactment of this Act to include guidance for military planners for consideration of the effect of projected climate change on DOD facilities, capabilities, and missions (Sect. 931).

Status:

Passed by House; Amended and passed by Senate; Sent to Conference Committee to resolve differences

H.R. 2082: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02082:

This authorization bill includes mandate for Director of National Intelligence to conduct a national intelligence estimate on the geopolitical effects of global climate change (Title VI, Subtitle A, Sec. 407)

Status:

Passed by House; Amended and passed by Senate; Sent to Conference Committee to resolve differences

H.R. 2304: Advanced Geothermal Energy Research and Development Act of 2007
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02304:

Bill to increase federal geothermal research and development, demonstration, and commercial application programs to mitigate climate change.

Status:

Passed by Committee and put on House calendar

H.R. 2337: Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02337:

To promote energy policy reforms and public accountability, alternative energy and efficiency, and carbon capture and climate change mitigation, and for other purposes. One element includes the National Carbon Dioxide Storage Capacity Assessment, directing Secretary of Interior through the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey to (1) assess geological storage capacity for carbon dioxide; (2) maintain an inventory of carbon dioxide stored from federal leases; and (3) report to Congress on a framework for geological carbon sequestration on federal lands.

Status:

Passed by Committee and put on House calendar

H.R. 2420: International Climate Cooperation Re-engagement Act of 2007
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02420:

The bill outlines United States policy on international climate cooperation, authorizes assistance to promote clean and efficient energy technologies in foreign countries, and establishes the International Clean Energy Foundation.

Status:

Passed by Committee and put on House calendar

H.R. 2635: Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02635:

To reduce the Federal Government's contribution to global warming through measures that promote efficiency in the Federal Government's management and operations, and monitor greenhouse gas emissions.

Status:

Passed by Committee and put on House calendar

H.R. 2643: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02643:

This bill provides the Environmental Protection Agency with appropriations to fund expenses for a Commission on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (Title II) and expresses the sense of Congress that there should be enacted a comprehensive and effective national program of mandatory, market-based limits and incentives on emissions of greenhouse gases that slow, stop, and reverse the growth of such emissions at a rate and in a manner that: (1) will not significantly harm the U.S. economy; and (2) will encourage comparable action by other nations that are major trading partners and key contributors to global emissions (Title V).

Status:

Passed by House and put on Senate calendar

H.R. 2698: Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2007
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02698:

Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a research initiative to assess the impact of aviation on the climate and to evaluate approaches to mitigate such impact.

Status:

Passed by Committee and put on House calendar (incorporated in H.R. 2881)

H.R. 2764: Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02764:

The Secretary of State shall convene an interagency committee, including appropriate officials of the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency, to evaluate the specific needs of developing countries in adapting to climate change impacts. The Secretary shall submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations not later than September 1, 2008, describing such needs, on a country-by-country and regional basis, and the actions planned and being taken by the United States, including funding provided to developing countries specifically for adaptation to climate change impacts

Status:

Passed by House; Passed by Senate and sent to Conference Committee to resolve differences

H.R. 2778: Overseas Private Investment Corporation Reauthorization Act of 2007
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02798:

Requires that OPIC institute a climate change mitigation action plan that includes the following: (1) clean and efficient energy technology; (2) environmental impact assessments; and (3) reports to the appropriate congressional committees. It also prohibits OPIC from approving any contract of insurance or reinsurance or any guaranty, or enter into any agreement to provide financing of $10 million or more for any project which significantly involves an extractive industry (defined to include oil and gas) without: (1) prior congressional notification; and (2) investor and host country agreement to implement Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative principles (Sect. 8)

Status:

Passed by House and referred to Senate Committee

H.R. 2881: FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02881:

Directs the FAA Administrator to establish a research initiative to assess the impact of aviation on the climate and to evaluate approaches to mitigate such impact.

Status:

Passed by House and placed on Senate calendar

H.R. 3093: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.03093:

Appropriations bill directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to contract with the National Academies to create a Climate Change Study Committee, including funding for Summit on Global Climate Change, resulting in a report outlining its findings, conclusions, and recommendations on this topic.

Status:

Passed by House; Amended and passed by Senate; sent to Conference Committee to resolve differences

H.R. 3121: Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.03121:

The section covering on-going modernization of flood maps and elevation standards instructs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to incorporate the impact of global climate change on these standards.

Status:

Passed by House; Referred to Senate Committee

H.R. 3221: Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.03221:

Moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, and modernizing our energy infrastructure, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation

Status:

Passed by House and put on Senate calendar

S. 1538: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s.01538:

This bill directs the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a national intelligence estimate on the anticipated geopolitical effects of global climate change and the implications of such effects on U.S. national security and authorizes appropriations to do so.

Status:

This bill was passed by Senate and amended to H.R. 2082 (see above); Sent to Conference Committee to resolve differences

S. 1548: Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s.01548:

Requires the first national security strategy and national defense strategy prepared after the enactment of this Act to include guidance for military planners for consideration of the effect of projected climate change on DOD facilities, capabilities, and missions (Sect. 931).

Status:

Passed by Committee and placed on Senate calendar (incorporated in H.R. 1548)