Anchorage Daily News and other left leaning media unfairly attack Sen. Murkowski

By Marvin Yoder
Alaska Standard Contributor

In advertisements on the radio, Senator Murkowski is being pilloried for opposing the excessive regulations of the EPA. The above mentioned ads are asking Alaskans to convince Senator Murkowski to acknowledge that the EPA action will reduce CO2 emissions and save the planet.

The EPA is actively considering declaring CO2 as a pollutant. There are several reasons to doubt the climate change theory and the attendant hysteria about CO2. The latest revelations of misinformation and misconduct from the scientists championing the climate change theories create even more doubt.

I have listened to, and considered, their rhetoric. There is much to question about the theory with only a superficial observation of what is happening around us.

Naturally decaying vegetation is one of the leading producers of CO2 worldwide. To oppose the harvest of mature forests is counterproductive if the goal is to decrease the amount of CO2. A young, healthy forest absorbs CO2 and gives off Oxygen. An over ripe, decaying forest does precisely the opposite. If there were clear and convincing evidence that there is a need to limit CO2, then the policy should be to start harvesting mature trees and replant.

The claim is that we need to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide so we can be “Green”. Vegetation requires CO2 in order to grow. The absence of CO2 means no more green vegetation. So, how can we be green without CO2?

A part of the proposed national energy policy is to recommend specific sources of “carbon free” electricity. Legislation passed by the US House of Representatives recommended “green” sources of electricity, which did not include either nuclear or hydroelectric power. Yet in 2007, nuclear and hydroelectric power provided more than 90% of the emission free electricity in the United States. What is the rationale of proposing a reduction in Carbon production and ignoring the two primary sources of emission free electricity? Is carbon free energy the true motive?

In the early part of the last millennium, the Vikings sailed to the new world. They found a land they called Greenland. Later, during the Middle Ages, (or the “mini ice age”) Greenland became covered with ice. Global warming was a very positive force bringing about the end of the dark ages.
Unfortunately, there has not yet been enough global warming to allow grape vines to grow again in Greenland.

Thank you, Senator Murkowski for your efforts in bringing clear thinking to this critical issue. We applaud your efforts to force the EPA to consider both the economics as well as the facts in a debate that has been dominated by demagoguery and bad science.