Climatologists Brief TX Legislature On Warming's Impact On Water Supply - Only Staffers Attend

[hatrack]

:eyes:

AUSTIN — With a dozen bills addressing global warming before the Legislature, lawmakers on Monday had a chance to hear from experts about what a rise in the Earth's temperature means for Texas and what can be done about it. The briefing represented a rare visit to the Texas Capitol for four of the state's foremost climate scientists who have spent more time speaking with legislators in other states and the U.S. Congress than lawmakers here.

EDIT

A bill sponsored by Rep. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, is seeking a study to analyze how climate change will affect the state's water supply. "I'm not ready to say we are going to dry up and blow away in dust, but this is an area where water planners need to pay attention," said Gerald North, a distinguished professor in geosciences at Texas A&M University.

The hourlong discussion, organized by Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, the sponsor of five of the climate bills, drew only about a dozen staffers. (emphasis added)

Part of the reason was that the House was in session. But others said it showed a lack of will by lawmakers to tackle the issue, even though Texas emits more heat-trapping carbon dioxide than any other state. The bills' sponsors have said much of the legislation has no chance of passing. Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst have said they doubt that emissions from human activities are causing global warming, a link the four scientists Monday said was conclusive.

EDIT

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4663504.html

[redqueen]

1. *sigh*

Texas politics is beyond shameful.

[Javaman]

2. Don't even get me started.

Nothing but pigs.