National Academies Reports Urge a Price on Climate Emissions

"The best way to curb global warming is to put a price on climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions, according to a trio of reports from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences released on Wednesday.

In blunt language at odds with the unwieldy climate change debate in the U.S. Congress, the academy said: 'A carbon-pricing system is the most cost-effective way to reduce emissions. Either cap-and-trade, a system of taxing emissions, or a combination of the two could provide the needed incentives.'

In one report on the science of climate change, academy experts discounted doubts about climate warming after revelation of embarrassing e-mails by scientists provided fodder for critics.

'Climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for -- and in many cases is already affecting -- a broad range of human and natural systems,' the reports concluded."

Deborah Zabarenko reports for Reuters May 20, 2010.

See Also:

"Climate Evidence 'Compelling,' Research Council Urges U.S. to Act Now" (ENS)