The surprising part of the recent (July) release of the Department of Energy’s report was the clear acknowledgment of climate change and humanity’s effect on it. In his foreword, U.S. Energy Secretary Christopher Wright states that “Climate change is real, and it deserves attention.” Simply acknowledging the scientific reality of climate change is a big deal. He goes on to say, “Climate change is a challenge—not a catastrophe.” Challenge and catastrophe are normative words as is “greatest threat,” clearly in the world of policy, not science. That’s not a criticism—that’s reality. It is also where, in my humble opinion as a scientist, the heated discussions should be: on the policy, not the science….
Some Positive Things in that DOE Climate Report
