Dems to force CIA to spy on global warming

[Covert_US]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/09/news/climate.php

CIA and the Pentagon urged to assess warming's effect on security
By Bryan Bender
The Boston Globe
Monday, April 9, 2007
http://ad.fr.doubleclick.net/ad/americas.iht.com;cat=index;sz=336x280;ord=123456789? (http://ad.fr.doubleclick.net/jump/americas.iht.com;cat=index;sz=336x280;ord=123456789?)
WASHINGTON: The CIA and the Pentagon would for the first time be required to assess the national security implications of climate change under proposed legislation intended to elevate global warming to a national defense issue.
The bipartisan proposal, which its sponsors expect to pass in Congress with wide support, calls for the director of national intelligence to conduct the first-ever "national intelligence estimate" on global warming.
The effort would include pinpointing the regions at highest risk of humanitarian suffering and assessing the likelihood of wars erupting over diminishing water and other resources.
The measure also would order the Pentagon to undertake a series of war games to determine how global climate change could affect U.S. security, including "direct physical threats to the United States posed by extreme weather events such as hurricanes."
The growing attention to global warming as a national security issue could open new avenues of support for tougher efforts to limit greenhouse gases, specialists say.
"If you get the intelligence community to apply some of its analytic capabilities to this issue, it could be compelling to whoever is sitting in the White House," said Anne Harrington, director of the committee on international security at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington.
"If the White House does not absorb the independent scientific expertise, then maybe something from the intelligence community might have more weight."
The measure, sponsored by Senator Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican, and Senator Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, comes as other international bodies are taking steps to designate global warming as a high international priority.
The UN Security Council has put climate change on its agenda for the first time, warning that global warming could be a catalyst for new conflicts around the world. The council said it would hold a high-level meeting on the issue later this month.
"The traditional triggers of conflict which exist out there are likely to be exacerbated by the effect of climate change," said Emyr Jones Parry, the British ambassador to the UN.
Growing concerns about the implications of global warming have also led some Republicans and Democrats to give the issue far more prominence in policy circles.
"For years, many of us have examined global warming as an environmental or economic issue," Durbin said in remarks last month. "We also need to consider it as a security concern."
The national intelligence assessment, which will be drafted by U.S. spy agencies, would rely on the latest scientific data. It would identify places where countries or ethnic groups are most likely to fight over resources; where large migrations of victims will occur; how global warming would affect global food supplies; and the increased risks to humans from infectious disease.
John Hamre, who served as a deputy secretary of defense in the Clinton administration, said warming couched in security terms would make it far more difficult for politicians to ignore.
"What makes this interesting is the clear effort to make the politics of global warming broader," said Hamre, who is president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "There are legitimate security issues associated with this question."

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I don't know what to say about this....

[JKD]

Dems to force CIA to spy on global warming
................?


The bipartisan proposal, which its sponsors expect to pass in Congress with wide support


Growing concerns about the implications of global warming have also led some Republicans and Democrats to give the issue far more prominence in policy circles.



The measure, sponsored by Senator Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican, and Senator Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat

[Ordie]

The DOD has some of the best weathermen in the business.

The Navy has detailed information on currents, and water temperature that would take 50 years for any university to compile.

One time we got bored flying donughts in a P-3 over the Pacific. One of our AW located a Blue Whale and we proceeded to track it over 600 miles for the heck of it. Another aircraft relieved us and tracked it for another 600 miles. When we returned to base, we handed the data to the local marine biologist.

You should've seen the look on thier faces. They died and went to heaven. Later that night each of us had a case of Sam Adams courtesy of the marine biologist.

[Covert_US]

................?

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20070503-041023-2858r.htm

Dems: Use intelligence funds to study warming

By Christina Bellantoni

Senior House Republicans are complaining about Democrats' plans to divert "scarce" intelligence funds to study global warming.
The House next week will consider the Democrat-crafted Intelligence Authorization bill, which includes a provision directing an assessment of the effects that climate change has on national security.
"Our job is to steal secrets," said Rep. Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, the ranking Republican on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
"There are all kinds of people analyzing global warming," he told The Washington Times. "There's no value added by the intelligence community here; they have no special expertise, and this takes money and resources away from other threats."
Democrats, who outnumber Republicans on the committee, blocked the minority from stripping the warming language from the bill.
Intelligence panel Chairman Silvestre Reyes, Texas Democrat, said the climate-change study is one of several shifts his party has made to intelligence policy.
"We're concerned that global warming might impact our ability to maintain national security," he told The Times, describing the idea as "cutting edge."
"We want to get feedback from the intelligence community to understand if there are possible global issues," Mr. Reyes said.
The panel voted 11-9 to keep the provision that directs a National Intelligence Estimate "on the anticipated geopolitical effects of global climate change and the implications of such effects on the national security of the United States," according to a Republican staffer familiar with the hearing.
The study, which so far has an undetermined cost, would examine the science of climate change, among other things. Few details about its method were available.
The completed bill, mostly considered behind closed doors because it includes sensitive information, passed the committee on a voice vote after a more-than-eight-hour markup session.

[Satellite Weapon]

Dems to force CIA to spy on global warming


The bipartisan proposal

................?

I can see how he was awarded the title 'Dumbarse of the week' & 'Resident dckhead'

[deadtired]

The DOD has some of the best weathermen in the business.

The Navy has detailed information on currents, and water temperature that would take 50 years for any university to compile.

One time we got bored flying donughts in a P-3 over the Pacific. One of our AW located a Blue Whale and we proceeded to track it over 600 miles for the heck of it. Another aircraft relieved us and tracked it for another 600 miles. When we returned to base, we handed the data to the local marine biologist.

You should've seen the look on thier faces. They died and went to heaven. Later that night each of us had a case of Sam Adams courtesy of the marine biologist.

Now That's cool. The aircrews got some experience tracking a real target for an extended period of time, including handing of the target to their relief, and the informantion collected benefitied the scientific community. If only all training had this kind of side benefit.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

Global Warming; it's the new Communism. Everybody is going to out-environmentalizing the next guy. Political and business empires will be built on nothing more than fear. Global Warming bunkers will be built - deep in abandoned mine shafts. Yeah. It would be extremely naive of us to imagine that global warming would cause any change in our enemies polices. I mean, we must be… increasingly on the alert to prevent our enemies from taking over other, more resilient mineshaft space, in order to breed more prodigiously than we do, thus, knocking us out in superior numbers when we emerge! Mr. President, we must not allow… a mine shaft gap! <slams hand down on the war room table>

[Herrmannek]

Spying on Weather... in my time it was enough to look out of the window...

oh and Sheed, I have nothing against building shelters in the old mines... Under one condition... When the commies go crazy I want a place in it with all luxuries for all immediate family of mine..

[Macs.]

Global Warming; it's the new Communism. Everybody is going to out-environmentalizing the next guy. Political and business empires will be built on nothing more than fear. Global Warming bunkers will be built - deep in abandoned mine shafts. Yeah. It would be extremely naive of us to imagine that global warming would cause any change in our enemies polices. I mean, we must be… increasingly on the alert to prevent our enemies from taking over other, more resilient mineshaft space, in order to breed more prodigiously than we do, thus, knocking us out in superior numbers when we emerge! Mr. President, we must not allow… a mine shaft gap! <slams hand down on the war room table>

I would be almost with you on that, but after I heared how many billions my country is gonna make with this fear, based on that we picked up this stupid topic years ago and subsidized it, I am a absolute fan of this whole thing.

After seeing what kind of cars the local Solar-Panel-Dude who's company sells that stuff all over the world owns I am tottaly confident of this.

[budgie]

Quick question: Who the f&@k are iht.com and why should we listen to them?

[2Sheds_Jackson]

Quick question: Who the f&@k are iht.com and why should we listen to them?

Also here
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/04/09/bill_ties_climate_to_national_security/
..so it appears legit.




And dammit I'm pissed nobody picked up on my Dr. Strangelove bit. Pearls before swine I tell you.

[Herrmannek]

And dammit I'm pissed nobody picked up on my Dr. Strangelove bit. Pearls before swine I tell you.
Sorry, its 2am here, and although I like this movie a lot(one of my favs), I've seen it only once... Life's to short to make same things twice :)

[Jobu]

Forget Al Qaeda and Al Sadr, it's Al Roker we need the CIA to focus on.

[seraosha]

And dammit I'm pissed nobody picked up on my Dr. Strangelove bit. Pearls before swine I tell you.

Nah man, just slow to post. Just think for a moment that the worst case scenario's of "global warming" start coming true...yea, rising seawater levels, lack of drinking water, mass migrations of folks...sure, having the CIA looking into national security issues relating to it is par for the course.

If we have plans on the invasion of Canada, we certainly need the CIA working on how to react to "global Warming"...not that the two example I mention have anything to do with each other ;).

[tomonator]

Maybe the CIA will find that global warming has been caused by Saddam's WMD program.

[muck]

Global Warming; it's the new Communism. Everybody is going to out-environmentalizing the next guy. Political and business empires will be built on nothing more than fear. Global Warming bunkers will be built - deep in abandoned mine shafts. Yeah. It would be extremely naive of us to imagine that global warming would cause any change in our enemies polices. I mean, we must be… increasingly on the alert to prevent our enemies from taking over other, more resilient mineshaft space, in order to breed more prodigiously than we do, thus, knocking us out in superior numbers when we emerge! Mr. President, we must not allow… a mine shaft gap! <slams hand down on the war room table>

Damn, the economical analysts of the citigroup believe in Global Change and think it's worth to spend huge pots of money into the "greenization" of the industry p-)


Citigroup To Spend $50 Billion Over 10 Yrs To Address Climate Change

http://i.cnn.net/money/.element/img/1.0/branding/dj_logo.gif (http://www.dj.com/)
May 08, 2007: 08:38 AM EST

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Citigroup Inc. (C) said it will spend $50 billion over the next 10 years on investments, financings and related activities designed to address global climate change.
The New York financial services holding company said it aims to support the commercialization and growth of alternative energy and clean technology among its clients and markets, as well as within its own businesses and operations.
Citigroup said the $50 billion target includes nearly $10 billion in activities it has already undertaken to address climate change to date.



http://www.citigroup.com/citigroup/environment/image/h_environment.gif http://www.citigroup.com/citigroup/domain/image/h_citi.gif
Citi Position Statement on Climate Change
February 2007

Climate change poses significant risks to the global economy that require urgent action. The burning of fossil fuels to meet energy needs, loss of forests, and other activities are increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) and contributing to climate change. Discourse now focuses on the rapidity and severity of change and what must be done. Many countries around the world have enacted regulatory frameworks to guide responses and actions of GHG emitters. Citigroup recognizes the importance of these initiatives and is committed to working together with the public and private sectors, and other stakeholders on solutions.

Citigroup also recognizes this problem requires a global solution � one built on frameworks developed by national governments. U.S. national action and leadership are critical elements of a global solution because of the size of the U.S. economy and our emissions and because a global solution is highly unlikely without U.S. action. We believe that the United States must act now to create a national climate change policy to avoid the economic, social, and environmental damage that will result if GHG emissions are not reduced. Failing to act in time could have substantial consequences for the U.S. and global economies. We support a market-based national policy that reduces GHG emissions, drives innovation and opportunity, brings clarity and certainty to markets, and supports other frameworks.

Citigroup has committed to a 10% reduction in GHG emissions by 2011, invested in and financed alternative energy and clean technology, and published equity research that highlights the relevance of climate change to various sectors of the global economy. Citigroup recognizes that establishing a price for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is essential for reflecting the impacts of these emissions. We applaud actions taken by various countries around the world and in the U.S. we applaud the various state and regional climate policy initiatives including new policies in California and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in the Northeast for their leadership role. State and regional approaches, however, do not adequately address the national GHG footprint and create a patchwork of regulations that may cause distortions in the national economy. Given the necessity to address emissions from all regions of the U.S. and the world, a national legislative framework will be the most effective and economically efficient response for the U.S.

Policies to address the climate problem should be environmentally effective, economically efficient, and flexible in adapting to new information. A successful policy will be structured to reflect the perspectives of all sectors of the economy. It will encourage new technology development and, at the same time, accelerate the deployment of existing technology and increase energy efficiency. It will reduce emissions from GHG-intensive sectors of the economy and afford companies and consumers time to make changes without costly disruptions or stranding productive assets. It will also include education and outreach to people, with the positive message that a transition to environmentally sustainable energy, coupled with traditions of innovation and entrepreneurship, will foster economic activity and opportunity, generate jobs, and protect the environment. In short, the U.S. and other countries can prosper through the effort to solve global climate change.

Given the importance of the U.S. in solving this global problem, and as a financial institution with extensive involvement in and knowledge of the U.S. economy and global financial markets, we believe that national legislation in the U.S. should:
Pursue a Global Approach: An integrated global framework to reduce GHG emissions that includes all significant emitting nations should be the ultimate policy goal. Such an integrated global framework is more likely to be realized if the U.S., the largest current and cumulative emitter, develops a national GHG reduction strategy.
Start Now: Early and aggressive actions must be taken to avert increasingly costly and irreversible impacts, implement associated solutions, and to account for long-term energy sector investment cycles.
Recognize Early Actors: Emission reduction efforts undertaken prior to the enactment of a national legislative framework should be recognized to encourage early action.
Integrate GHGs into Pricing Mechanisms: Policy should leverage market forces to establish price signals for GHGs to ensure that such emissions are reflected in the cost of goods and services. This will create greater certainty, optimize economic efficiency and provide a needed incentive to reduce GHG emissions.
Increase Investments and Create Incentives for Low-GHG Technology: Policy should reward energy efficiency and emissions avoidance and promote rapid low-GHG product and service research, investment, development, and deployment to help drive emission reductions. Policy should provide U.S. companies greater opportunity in the growing global markets for low-GHG solutions, and provide parity with other forms of subsidized energy and technology options. The U.S. should increase investments in basic research into alternative energy as well as carbon sequestration.Crafting an effective climate change policy will require Congress to deliberate over alternative approaches to deliver the greatest GHG reductions at the lowest possible cost. Citigroup stands ready to provide technical advice and economic insight into the policy options under consideration by our elected officials.

[Atlantic Friend]

Well, a number of wars have been and will be about the control of a number of natural resource, water being on top of that list. And even when the direct cause of war was not, controlling basic luxury such as water and arable land as always been part of the geopolitical game since mankind began to understand the very basic premises of agriculture. You still need food to feed your troops, and water to supply them. When you have none, your troops usually end up spending their ammunition at their countrymen, trying to keep them in line. So, whether by design or by accident, the Dems might be onto something potentially big here, at least in the regions of the world where natural resources are scarce. But since these tricks are centuries old, I sure hope the CIA hasn't waited for the suggestion to keep an eye on natural resources, crops, and their socio-economic implications.