The Bush Administration Agrees: Global Warming is Real

A new report from the Bush administration acknowledges that global warming is real, and warns that serious problems like rising sea levels are likely to worsen during the next century.

"The changes observed over the last several decades are likely mostly due to human activities, but we cannot rule out that some significant part of these changes is also a reflection of natural variability," the report reads.

This is a serious departure from previous statements from the Bush administration, which tended to cast doubt on even the existence of global warming. Still, the report offers no ideas for dealing with global warming, and critics argue that the administration still is advocating doing nothing, despite acknowledging that a serious problem exists.

The President himself downplayed the report earlier today, but at least parts of his administration have agreed that global warming is an issue. Now, what should be done about it?

Guests:

David Doniger, policy director of the National Resources Defense Council's climate center, director of climate change policy at the Environmental Protection Agency under President Clinton

Patrick Michaels, senior fellow in environmental studies with The Cato Institute and professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia