We have the means to fight global warming

A recent letter writer ("Global-warming theory a sham, just like N.J. legislation," Aug. 2) ridicules politicians' and rock stars' statements regarding global warming, although they appear to be better educated than he is.

There are facts from "real scientists." More than 30 scientific societies and academies of science in all major industrialized countries have found global warming to be mainly caused by human activity. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Program - synthesizes climate science every five to seven years, presenting their findings to the world's leaders.

Conclusions of the latest report, 2007, agree with the U.S. National Academy of Science that "warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities" which increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

One scientific society does agree with the writer, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. In 1998, an Exxon internal memo said "victory will be achieved when uncertainties in climate science become part of the conventional wisdom for average citizens and the media." They spent millions of dollars and recruited and trained new scientists, with no previous expertise in the field, to depict supporters of global warming as "out of touch with reality."

President George W. Bush rejects anything that would negatively impact the oil industry. He has admitted there is validity to scientific findings worldwide, although he's unwilling to do anything substantive. We have the means to change the future and control damage to our environment, but only if we confront it on a local, national and global level.

Bettie J. Reina

Milmay