Global warming is real

Talk about global warming changed this week, from Washington, D.C., to Olympia. A scientific conclusion that the existence of global warming is "unequivocal" has moved discussions from what if to what now?

Debate about the reality of a half-century of rising temperatures was put to rest by the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which found a "very likely" link to human causes. The panel, created in 1988 by the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization, has paced its pronouncements to cycles of research on the human and natural causes of climate change. In 1990, the case for global warming was said to be serious. By 1995, a balance of evidence cast a longer shadow. In 2001, scientists said the evidence continued to accumulate.

This time, the message was blunt. Global warming has increased markedly since 1750 as a result of human causes, and its impact on shrinking snowpacks, declining sea ice, rising oceans and wetter, hotter weather will persist into the future, even if the causes stopped now.

The choice that exists is to slow the process so the worst will not happen. That is an outcome for which the globe has time and options. The behavior and leadership of the United States — a nation with 5 percent of the world's population and 25 percent of CO2 emissions — will certainly be under scrutiny.

Opportunities for finger-pointing abound, so everyone will have to get that out of their political systems.

Automobile emissions will duel with the coal-burning habits of India, China and Russia for status as the greatest villain. The instinct to protect one's national economy down to the last manhole-cover-sized piece of sea ice will be strong.

Announcements are stirring in Olympia. The willingness to get started and stay focused is as welcome as creative ideas.

Progress will come from unlikely sources. Spending more for Washington State University research on cattle feed could be a big step. Agricultural practices and methane-burping cows are a significant part of the global greenhouse effect.

Realistic solutions for quantifiable problems will be very close to home. Transportation and power generation are big parts of our lives, and primary sources of the environmental dilemma.

Last week's sober news offered a fresh start. Global warming is real. Now move on to coaxing out mitigating solutions.