Joubert: Stormy weather

How many global citizens does it take to change an incandescent light bulb to something more energy-efficient? None, apparently, because the light bulb doesn't need changing.

The dissident view of climate change is growing in popularity as the media continue to thrash out both "sides" of the story: the Earth may be warming, but it's not our fault. Projections aren't nearly as dire as the alarmists tell us. So sit back, everyone, and enjoy the sunshine...

Plan takes scientists out of decision making on species status

The proposal would bar federal agencies from assessing the emissions from projects that contribute to global warming and its effect on species and habitats.

The Interior Department cited its recent decision on polar bears as an example. While listing polar bears as endangered due to melting sea ice habitat, it argues that scientists at this time cannot "draw a direct causal link between greenhouse gas emissions and distant observations of impacts affecting species.

"As a result, it is inappropriate to consult on a remote agency action involving the contribution of emissions to global warming because it is not possible to link the emissions to impacts on specific listed species such as polar bears," the department stated.

Kempthorne has instead urged lawmakers to deal with climate change via separate legislation, not the Endangered Species Act, which dates from 1973.