To view a video of the briefing please click HERE.

January 30, 2008
(Remarks as prepared for delivery)

Good afternoon and welcome.

We are so fortunate today to hear from Dr. Pachauri, the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or IPCC. He also accepted the Nobel Prize on behalf of the IPCC.

Dr. Pachauri, you have been a tremendous leader on this issue. I have spoken to you on several occasions to learn first hand about the recent IPCC reports that summarize the recent science of global warming.

These reports tell us that global warming is unequivocal and with 90% certainty that humans are the cause of most of the recent warming. The reports also warned us of the potential devastating impacts unchecked global warming would have and that addressing global warming is achievable.

First of all, thank you for all of your hard work. I cannot adequately acknowledge how important your work is, we would not be where we are without you.

The IPCC is widely considered the authority in climate science and has been widely embraced, including by the Bush Administration. The contribution of the IPCC is invaluable to our understanding of the issue and to our ability to move forward with great certainty.

I would also like to extend great congratulations to you for the Nobel Prize awarded to the IPCC and Al Gore. It is so wonderful to see the IPCC recognized for it contribution to the issue of global warming. I am very pleased that the Senate passed a Resolution last year that acknowledged and commended the efforts of Vice President Gore, Dr. Pachauri, and the other members of the IPCC.

I would now like to turn to Dr. Pachauri for a presentation on global warming.

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