Hearing of the House Select Energy Independence and Global Warming Committee - Learning From a Laureate: Science, Security and Sustainability

Interview

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REP. EMANUEL CLEAVER (D-MO): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I won't take the 10 minutes, and I'm probably not going to be able to stay and listen to a gentleman that I have a great deal of admiration and respect for.

In fact, I'd like to apologize to you and the other scientists who have done so much work to bring us to this point. And my level of embarrassment was rising with the sea level when Harlan Wilson (sic) who represented the United States in Bali said that we are not ready to commit. And those four words are probably the words that have been used in every generation to slow progress -- we're not ready to commit.

So I appreciate all of the work that you've done. I've got to go and catch a bus outside. The question that I would love to have time to listen to you respond to is if all of the CO2 emissions were stopped today at a quarter to ten, what would happen? And what could be reversed?

I'm going to submit a statement, Mr. Chairman, and hope that if you have time to respond to that question that I can get your answer through the committee. Thank you very kindly.

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