Senate Progresses On Global Warming Bill

In an effort to fight 'unchecked global warming', a bill setting limits on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are emitted from power plants, refineries, factories and motor fuels has begun moving toward the floor of the Senate. While many environmentalists support the measure, opposition points to the fact that the bill requires too much change too fast, and the bill's outcome seems likely to fall short if voted on in its current form.

I think this is a complete waste of time. The idea that humanity is causing global warming is anything but proven, and recent studies have started showing more scientists questioning that 'fact' than supporting it. But, even as skepticism is growing, so is the hysteria in the MSM, and this seems to be the favorite flavor of political speech right now.

Regulations like these are almost always based on what politicians think should be case -- not actual evidence -- regardless of the consequences. Here's what could happen...

Politicians think mileage standards for cars should be higher. They set a regulation that all cars have to get at least 37mpg by 2012. While that sounds fine and good, the end result is that this is simply unrealistic according to the physics of automobiles. In order to meet the regulation, car manufacturers will have to make changes to the materials and processes they use, which will more than likely end up making cars smaller, lighter, and less strong. This means they'll be more expensive as well as less safe. Why is a Suburban safer than a Ford Focus? It's bigger and more heavily built. Does anyone remember back when the bumper on a truck was made of solid metal? Now they're all plastic because that makes the car lighter, and thus more fuel efficient. The physics are pretty simple, really.

But hey, as long as the oh-so-delicate global environment is protected by a few more mpg per car, the price of more deaths from more dangerous cars is worth paying, right?

It's a fine thing to be responsible with our emissions and pollution; it's totally another to put burdensome and unrealistic regulations on industries simply as a reaction to mindless hysteria. The environmentalist lobby is essentially anti-human, seeking to control and dictate what people do as much as possible. This bill is one example - just wait and watch what happens with it. I look forward to saying, 'I told you so'.

There's my two cents.