Looking over David Bookbinder’s extraordinary (though sadly par-for-the-course) revelations yesterday, one portion stands out to us in wake of current events:

[T]he ANPRM acknowledges that global warming is “very likely” due to human emissions of GHGs and that this will cause things like “severe heat waves . .  to intensify in magnitude, frequency and duration . . . with likely increases in mortality and morbidity”; “declining air quality in cities”; “increases in regional ozone pollution, with associated risks for respiratory infection, aggravation of asthma, and potential premature death”; “a likely trend toward more intense hurricanes”, more wildfires, etc.

Consider that admisssion, and the do-nothing response that follows, for a moment. Now go and read some of The Wonk Room’s excellent detective work, describing how a 2000 report by government climate scientists essentially forecast the kind of events we’re seeing in Iowa and surrounding states (and did so in a way specific to the Midwest). Commence outrage.

As with the case of last fall’s California wildfires, this is a difficult topic to broach, but one that nonetheless should be paid strong attention. And seeing as the EPA is now ready– however problematic and in utter defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court its policy response might be, and barring White House revisions– to acknowledge the catastrophic effects of human-driven climate change, that attention should come from voices much stronger than a handful of scientists and bloggers.

So keep an eye out for that arcane, lengthy Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and keep this in mind when reading it over. We certainly will.