“Based
upon the preponderance of the evidence the science is settled, but the
thing is that anything is up for debate, Senator. We can debate,” Mair
answered.
“I would note that even the phrase ‘preponderance of the evidence,’
having been a practicing lawyer for many years means 51 percent…at
least 51 percent is what the preponderance means. I would ask, for
example, if you want to end debate, you don’t want to address the
facts, how do you address the facts that in the last eighteen years the
satellite data show no demonstrable warming whatsoever?” Cruz asked.
...we
have satellites, they’re measuring temperature, that should be
relevant—and your answer was ‘pay no attention to your lying eyes and
the numbers that the satellites show; instead listen to the scientists
who are receiving massive grants who tell us do not debate the
science,” Cruz added.
“Sir, I would rely upon the Union of Concerned Scientists, I would rely
upon the evidence from our own NOAA officials; the data are there,”
Mair responded.
“Is it correct that the satellite data over the last eighteen years
demonstrate no significant warming?” Cruz asked again.
“No,” Mair responded.
“How is it incorrect?” Cruz asked.
At this point, Mair leaned back from his chair on the witness table and
listened to a bespectacled aide, who whispered in his ear.
“Based upon our experts, it’s been refuted long ago, “ Mair asserted
confidently. “And it’s not up for scientific debate.”
“I do find it highly interesting that the President of the Sierra Club,
when asked when asked what the satellite data demonstrate about warming
apparently is relying on staff. The nice thing about the satellite data
is these are objective numbers,” Cruz stated.
“Correct,” Mair answered.
“Are you familiar with the phrase, ‘the pause’?” Cruz asked.
After a long pause of his own (presumably to consult with his staff),
Mair responded.
“The answer is yes, and essentially, we rest on our position,” Mair
said.
“To what does the phrase ‘the pause’ refer?” Cruz asked.
Once again, Mair leaned back in his chair to hear from his staff.
[...]
“Essentially it’s the slowing of global warming during the ‘40s, sir,”
Mair finally responded.
“During the 40s? Is it not the term that global warming alarmists have
used to explain the inconvenient truth—to use a phrase popularized by
former Vice President Al Gore—that the satellite date over the last
eighteen years demonstrate no significant warming whatsoever? Global
warming alarmists call that the pause because the computer models say
there should be dramatic warming, and yet the actual satellites taking
the measurements don’t show any significant warming,” Cruz asked.
“But Senator,
97 percent of
the
scientists concur and agree that there is global warming. Anthropogenic
impact with regards to global warming.” Mair began. (emphasis added)
“The problem with that particular statistic, which gets cited a lot,”
Cruz said, “is it’s based on one bogus study, and indeed your
response…is quite striking. I asked about the science and the evidence,
the actual data—we have satellites, they’re measuring temperature, that
should be relevant—and your answer was ‘pay no attention to your lying
eyes and the numbers that the satellites show; instead listen to the
scientists who are receiving massive grants who tell us do not debate
the science,” Cruz added.
[READ
IT ALL]
