Finance committee  We've discussed this issue. I discussed it with my colleague, Professor Stewart. We are scientists, and we wish to convey the urgency of doing something on climate change. We believe any measure that is effective in the short and long term is very needed, but whether we go to cap and trade and the politics of posturing for Copenhagen is not something we feel competent to deal with, nor do we think we should, as scientists.

Finance committee  Are you directing that question to me?

Finance committee  Our society believes that a wonderful way to assert sovereignty is through scientific studies. We note that almost a century ago there was concern about whether Canada or Norway owned the north, because the mapping was done by Norwegians. It wasn't based on military presence. Through these research efforts Canadian scientists have gone into the north.

Finance committee  The International Polar Year was a one-time fund. It was an international program, and Canada's contribution was considerable. We are not asking for a renewal of that. The continuing effort is the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences. It has been in existence since the early part of this century.

Finance committee  They'll find other fields. They'll go somewhere else. They'll be unemployed. We don't know.

Finance committee  Good morning, Mr. Chair. I represent the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society. It's an independent society of scientists in these two disciplines. Canada and other G8 nations, in their accountability report this year, recognized the broad scientific view that global warming should not exceed two degrees Celsius.