EPA Rejects Claims of Flawed Climate Science

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today denied 10 petitions challenging its 2009 determination that climate change is real, is occurring due to emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities, and threatens human health and the environment. 

The petitions to reconsider EPA’s Endangerment Finding claim that climate science cannot be trusted, and assert a conspiracy that invalidates the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the U.S. Global Change Research Program. After months of serious consideration of the petitions and of the state of climate change science, EPA finds no evidence to support these claims. In contrast, EPA’s review shows that climate science is credible, compelling, and growing stronger.

“The endangerment finding is based on years of science from the U.S. and around the world.  These petitions -- based as they are on selectively edited, out-of-context data and a manufactured controversy -- provide no evidence to undermine our determination.  Excess greenhouse gases are a threat to our health and welfare,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.  “Defenders of the status quo will try to slow our efforts to get America running on clean energy.  A better solution would be to join the vast majority of the American people who want to see more green jobs, more clean energy innovation and an end to the oil addiction that pollutes our planet and jeopardizes our national security.”

The basic assertions by the petitioners and EPA responses follow.

Claim: Petitioners say that emails disclosed from the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit provide evidence of a conspiracy to manipulate global temperature data. 

Response: EPA reviewed every e-mail and found this was simply a candid discussion of scientists working through issues that arise in compiling and presenting large complex data sets.  Four other independent reviews came to similar conclusions.

Claim: Petitioners say that errors in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report call the entire body of work into question. 

Response: Of the alleged errors, EPA confirmed only two in a 3,000 page report. The first pertains to the rate of Himalayan glacier melt and second to the percentage of the Netherlands below sea level. IPCC issued correction statements for both of these errors. The errors have no bearing on Administrator Jackson’s decision. None of the errors undermines the basic facts that the climate is changing in ways that threaten our health and welfare.

Claim: Petitioners say that because certain studies were not included in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, the IPCC itself is biased and cannot be trusted as a source of reliable information. 

Response: These claims are incorrect. In fact, the studies in question were included in the IPCC report, which provided a comprehensive and balanced discussion of climate science.

Claim: Petitioners say that new scientific studies refute evidence supporting the Endangerment Finding.  

Response:  Petitioners misinterpreted the results of these studies. Contrary to their claims, many of the papers they submit as evidence are consistent with EPA’s Finding. Other studies submitted by the petitioners were based on unsound methodologies. Detailed discussion of these issues may be found in volume one of the response to petition documents, on EPA’s website. 

Climate change is already happening, and human activity is a contributor. The global warming trend over the past 100 years is confirmed by three separate records of surface temperature, all of which are confirmed by satellite data. Beyond this, evidence of climate change is seen in melting ice in the Arctic, melting glaciers around the world, increasing ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, shifting precipitation patterns, and changing ecosystems and wildlife habitats.

“America’s Climate Choices,” a report from the National Academy of Sciences and the most recent assessment of the full body of scientific literature on climate change, along with the recently released “State of the Climate” report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration both fully support the conclusion that climate change is real and poses significant risk to human and natural systems. The consistency among these and previously issued assessments only serves to strengthen EPA’s conclusion.

Information on EPA’s findings and the petitions: http://epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment/petitions.html 

More information on climate change: http://epa.gov/climatechange

Review America’s Climate Choices report: http://americasclimatechoices.org/

Review State of the Climate report:

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100728_stateoftheclimate.html

Review information on Indicators of Climate Change: http://epa.gov/climatechange/indicators.html

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Have You Seen Michael Taus and Romeo?

 The Suffolk County Police Fugitive/Missing Persons Section is seeking the publics assistance in locating a West Islip man who has been missing since June.

 Michael Taus, 25, was last seen on the night of June 18 at his home on Everdell Avenue. Tauss dog, Romeo, has also been missing since that time. Tauss vehicle has since been recovered in Elmont in Nassau County.

 Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Taus is asked to call the Missing Persons Section at 631-852-6040 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

St. Catherine’s Maternity staff practices award-winning standards

The Healthcare Association of New York State presented the prestigious 2010 Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety to Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHS) for its “Improving Patient Safety in Obstetrics Using Crew Resources Management” initiative. After researching various approaches to reduce obstetrical adverse events, a special task force selected the Crew Resource Management model used in the aviation industry. Clinicians were trained, and principles around communication, team structure, situation monitoring, mutual support, and team behavior were adopted. Emergency drills were also conducted to sharpen critical incident awareness and response.

 After 18 months, CHS has seen significant improvements in reducing neonatal intensive care admissions by more than 60 percent at the four pat'cipat'ng hospitals, including St. Catherine’s, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center and St. Charles Hospital. The CHS program was named the most outstanding safety iinitiative out of more than 130 nominees from hospitals and health systems in New York state. 

Commack BOE Welcomes Brian Simpson Pricipal Indian Hollow School

The Commack Board of Education has announced the appointment of Brian Simpson as Principal of Indian Hollow Primary School.

 

"After an extensive search and interview process, the Board of Education is please to announce the appointment of Mr. Brian Simpson as the Principal of Indian Hollow Primary School.

 

Mr. Simpson comes to the District from the Smithtown Public Schools, where he served as Assistant Principal in the Accompsett Elementary School (K-5)."

 

Further information will be published on the Commack Website later this week, and in the August Commack Courier.  

 

Suffolk County Dept. of Public Works To Spray Tonight In Nesconset

Weather permitting, the Suffolk County Department of Public Works is planning to treat sections of the following communities as part of their ongoing annual efforts to control adult mosquitoes.

Time and date of the application: July 27, 2010, 8:30 PM – 11:30 PM

Approximate location (s): Nesconset and Ronkonkoma  

Sites to be treated:  An area in Nesconset and Ronkonkoma bounded on the south by Portion Road, Lake Ronkonkoma and Richmond Avenue, on the west by Old Nichols Road, Smithtown Boulevard and Lake Avenue, on the north by Route 347, Browns Road, Old Nichols Road and Moriches Road and on the east by Hawkins Avenue.   

Method of Treatment: Aerial application - Ultra Low Volume Aerosol

Name of Pesticide: Scourge (resmethrin).

Although your chances of experiencing any health effects from spraying are quite low, the following common sense steps will help you reduce possible exposure to pesticides before, during or after spraying.

Steps you should take:  Children and pregnant women should take care to avoid exposure when practical.  If possible, remain inside or avoid the area whenever spraying takes place and for about 30 minutes after spraying.  Close windows and doors and close the vents of window air-conditioning units to circulate indoor air or, before spraying begins, turn them off.  Windows and air-conditioning vents can be reopened about 30 minutes after spraying.  If you come in direct contact with pesticide spray, protect your eyes.  If you get pesticide spray in your eyes, immediately rinse them with water.  Wash exposed skin.  Wash clothes that come in direct contact with spray separately from other laundry.  Consult your health care provider if you think you are experiencing health effects from spraying.

Steps you may want to take:  The materials used by Vector Control do not leave significant residues on surfaces, but exposure can be reduced even further.  Pick homegrown fruits and vegetables you expect to eat soon before spraying takes place.  Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables (in fact all produce) thoroughly with water before cooking or eating.  Bring laundry and small toys inside before spraying begins.  (Wash with detergent and water if exposed to pesticides during spraying.)  Bring pet food and water dishes inside, and cover ornamental fishponds during the spray period to avoid direct exposure.