Earlier this week, our Minister for Natural Resources, the Hon. Joe Oliver, went to Washington on what the Canadian media mistakenly insists on calling a "charm offensive." It really cannot be described as having anything to do with "charm" when the minister, fresh from having told La Presse that scientists are less worried about global warming; that 2 degrees is not a big deal, decided to insult one of the USA's most respected scientists, James Hansen.Dr. Hansen is not just someone who used to work at NASA. He was NASA's top climate scientist. Thursday, I found this tribute to James Hansen that will give Canadians who do not know much about Dr. Hansen (and I guess that means Mr. Oliver, at least) a sense of his stature south of the border and globally. This tribute was written by another Joe -- Joe Romm.
I don't think I can improve upon it, and I ask you to read it. Joe Oliver said James Hansen should be "ashamed" for urging the President to reject the Keystone XL pipeline. He said Dr. Hansen has been "crying wolf." Whatever your views on any particular pipeline, I ask you to read this. And then ask yourself how long we will tolerate having our highest-ranking Canadian officials embarrass internationally by attacking the most courageous of scientists? It is we who are ashamed -- of our government.
A Man For All Seasons: James Hansen Wins The Ridenhour Courage Prize
Original Article
Source: rabble.ca
Author: Elizabeth May
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