Controversial studies that are heavily funded by federal taxes are being used by eco-activists to prod the U.S. Congress into taking a more aggressive stance to combat global warming. This could end up costing U.S. taxpayers and consumers tens of billions of dollars annually, says H. Sterling Burnett, senior fellow with the National Centre for Policy Analysis.
Consider the case of Representative Joe Barton (Republican, Texas), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He is seeking to exercise congressional oversight and ensure the validity of the data used by scientists who concluded that the 20th century was the warmest of the last two millennia.
Barton has requested the sources of funding for their research, but the University of Virginia’s Michael Mann has adamantly refused. Far from being a witch-hunt, this request for full disclosure promotes scientific integrity, says Burnett:
The validity of research funded by taxpayers and used to promote legislation that affects their prosperity should always be reviewed by elected representatives. Barton is doing exactly what he should be doing for America’s taxpayers, who, after all, will have to pick up the tab for bad public policy, says Burnett.
Source: H. Sterling Burnett, Climate Studies Cannot Be Free from Oversight, Investor’s Business Daily, August 2, 2005.
For more on Global Warming: Science: http://eteam.ncpa.org/policy/Global_Warming/Science/
FMF Policy Bulletin/ 09 August 2005
