Three National Academies Reports Urge Swift Climate Action

On May 19, the National Academy of Sciences released three reports that conclude there is sufficient evidence for human-caused climate change and push for pricing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. "There are still some uncertainties, and there always will be in understanding a complex system like Earth's climate," the reports states. "Nevertheless, there is a strong, credible body of evidence, based on multiple lines of research, documenting that climate is changing and that these changes are in large part caused by human activities."

The reports are part of a suite of studies requested by Congress in 2008 as part of the Department of Commerce Appropriations Act to "investigate and study the serious and sweeping issues relating to global climate change and make recommendations regarding what steps must be taken and what strategies must be adopted in response to global climate change.” The reports recommended swift action to reduce emissions by placing a price on carbon. “A carbon-pricing system is the most cost-effective way to reduce emissions,” the reports said. “Either cap and trade, a system of taxing emissions, or a combination of the two could provide the needed incentives." However, the studies’ authors did note that they "see no strong reason" to argue cap and trade should be abandoned in favor of a carbon tax, since it is more in line with creating an overall target for emissions.