500 Physicians, Scientists Oppose Climate Treaty

by William Yeatman on December 2, 1997

in Kyoto Negotiations

WASHINGTON, DC — The Advancement of Sound Science Coalition (TASSC) and the European Science and Environment Forum (ESEF) today announced that more than 500 physicians and scientists have signed an open letter to world leaders opposing the climate change treaty now being negotiated in Kyoto, Japan. The text of the letter is:

“As responsible members of the scientific and medical communities, we support efforts to improve the global environment and public health.

“Given that economic prosperity is necessary for a cleaner environment and improved public health, action that harms the global and national economies should not be taken without compelling evidence of need.

“At this time, we believe the scientific understanding of the global climate is inadequate to justify drastic control policies and needs to be better developed to support limiting greenhouse gas emissions – limitations that would damage the economic well-being of most of the world’s population.

“We recommend the world’s governments defer taking action on a climate change protocol until the science shows limiting greenhouse gas emissions will benefit, not harm, the global environment and public health.”

Commenting on this expression of concern about the climate treaty, TASSC executive director Steven J. Milloy said “This letter has been in circulation only a short time. We are overwhelmed by the strength of the response and will continue to accept signatures. World leaders assembled in Kyoto should heed this call to avoid rash and harmful action on greenhouse gas emissions.”

TASSC and ESEF are not-for-profit organizations of scientists, former public policy officials and others interested in the use of sound science in public policy. TASSC is located at 1155 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20036. ESEF is located at 4 Church Lane, Barton, Cambridge, CB3 7BE, United Kingdom.

Copies of the signed letters are available for inspection in the TASSC office.

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