Sierra Summit

Conversations and observations about California's mountains

March 31, 2009
Kudos to NPR for climate debate
This morning, National Public Radio in Sacramento (KXJZ) aired a fascinating debate about the merits of reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change. If you missed it, I strongly encourage you to listen in at this web page:


Unlike a lot of climate debates, this one - held in New York in British Oxford-style format (one motion, one moderator and multiple advocates for both sides) actually raises the level of the discussion. Imagine that. 

The motion before the panelists was simple: Major reductions in carbon emissions are not worth the money. The issue is particularly important here in California - a state that is home to the world's eighth largest economy and a world leader in the war on carbon.  

The debate lasts about an hour - and in the end, audience members have their say. They  vote on which side has carried the day. Is it worth it to reduce carbon emissions - or not?  I won't give away the results, but I think you'll find them surprising. And no matter what your view on the matter is, my guess is you will learn something by listening in.  

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About Sierra Summit

The Author
Tom Knudson lives in the Sierra Nevada and travels widely throughout the range. His hobbies include fly-fishing, backpacking and cross-country skiing. He is the recipient of numerous journalistic awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes, one for a 1992 Sacramento Bee series "Sierra in Peril," a watershed work about environmental threats to the mountain range. E-mail Tom at tknudson@sacbee.com.

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