August 29, 2017, San Francisco

Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, appeared at the Commonwealth Club to discuss several topics, including these comments on global warming and the record breaking storms in Texas.

“I believe that what’s happening now in Texas is part of the warming” ~ Senator Dianne Feinstein

” The question really is, is it too late? Some predict the climate’s going to warm 4 to 9 degrees, and if it does, there’s nothing we can do, we destroy earth. If we keep the warming one to two degrees, which is still possible, then we can deal with it. So it isn’t hopeless if we do the right thing. ” ~ California Senator Feinstein

Transcript of climate comments:

Senator Feinstein: “This president does not believe that the climate is warming. I strongly disagree. And all you need to do is take a look at a National Geographic Magazine and see where they’re predicting that a huge ice shelf breaks off which is now rifting, and when it does, the seas rise 10 feet.”

“So I think global warming is real. It’s happening much faster than the scientists thought. We need to do … we’ve had three bills on the floor of the Senate in the time I’ve been there, and I think that not one of ‘em has gotten more than 38 votes. And so we’ve got a big job out there by telling Senators and House members and letting them see what is happening.”

“I believe that what’s happening now in Texas is part of the warming. The seas are warming, and in Antarctica what’s happening all the huge glaciers are on beds under the ocean. The ocean is warming there much faster than anyone expected. So these glaciers are dropping off into the water, and they’re huge. They’re the size of states, and when they drop and melt it’s terrible. So, I mean there are a lot of things that we could do. The question really is, is it too late?”

“Some predict the climate’s going to warm 4 to 9 degrees, and if it does, there’s nothing we can do, we destroy earth. If we keep the warming one to two degrees, which is still possible, then we can deal with it. So it isn’t hopeless if we do the right thing. “

“And you know I really got to commend Jerry Brown, I mean he’s put this state in a clean fuel dimension.”

Ellen Tauscher: “So we are no longer in a place of reversing climate change but we could retard it so that it is still sustainable for human life, but we have to act now.”

Senator Feinstein: “That’s correct, we have to act now.”

Report by James George

‘With a reported 50 inches of rainfall, flash flooding and high, murky waters, Hurricane Harvey in Houston has gripped America’s attention. But halfway around the world, another flood has wreaked havoc on historic levels. Two weeks ago, record monsoon rains hit parts of Bangladesh, India and Nepal, bringing the worst floods the region has seen in years. Over 1,200 people have been killed and 24 million affected.’

Source: Epic Floods In Texas And South Asia Are A Challenge For Aid Groups : Goats and Soda : NPR

‘WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Donald Trump touts new oil pipelines and pledges to revive the nation’s struggling coal mines, federal scientists are warning that burning fossil fuels is already driving a steep increase in the United States of heat waves, droughts and floods.’

Source: US scientists contradict Trump’s climate claims | The Seattle Times

‘The effects of climate change are already having an impact on the U.S., after average temperatures have risen dramatically over the last four decades, according to a draft of a government report that was obtained and published by The New York Times on Monday.’

Source: Government report contradicts Trump on climate change – ABC News

‘If greenhouse gas emissions aren’t brought under control, global warming will boost heat waves in the region to the limits of what humans can endure on a yearly basis, a new study finds. But if action is taken to curb climate change the threat could be substantially reduced.’

Source: Extreme Heat Will Hit India’s Most Vulnerable the Hardest | Climate Central