The NRC report is fairly optimistic concerning mitigation strategies but does not recommend taking immediate action because of scientific uncertainties. The EPA report is not optimistic about economically acceptable mitigation strategies and suggests that we think about adaption to the changing climatic conditions. However, the models differ considerably in their regional predictions, thereby lowering the confidence levels associated with them. Other areas of ongoing uncertainty involve the carbon cycle itself and energy consumption projections. The U.S. experiences a very hot, dry summer.
Severe drought exists in much of the Midwest.
Atmospheric scientist James Hansen declares before Congress that greenhouse warming has arrived, much to the annoyance of his more cautious scientific colleagues. During the next twelve months nine global warming bills are introduced into Congress. It declares that there is no evidence that the observed increase in global temperatures is correlated with emissions of greenhouse gases and predicts that decreased solar activity in the next century will lead to cooling that would offset any greenhouse warming. In spite of the fact that none of the three is an expert in atmospheric science, members of the Bush White House staff seem more impressed by this work than the massive studies undertaken by the EPA, NRC and DOE, using it to develop their policy with respect to the issue. The first IPCC report issued.