U.S. SCIENCE ACADEMY: EARTH IS WARMEST IN 400 YEARS

Report to Congress Cites Human Activities

WASHINGTON (June 22, 2006) -- The National Academy of Sciences today told Congress in a report that the Earth is the hottest it's been in at least 400 years, thus providing the latest sobering evidence that we must act now to slow, stop and reverse global warming pollution, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) said today.

"The report has wiped the slate clean of any remaining excuses for inaction," said Daniel A. Lashof, science director of NRDC 's Climate Center. "Congress can no longer just turn up the air conditioning and pretend global warming isn't happening. In order to avert irreversible global warming damages, the United States must start cutting global warming pollution within 10 years and cut it by more than half by mid-century."