Over the past century, global temperature has risen by 0.3 to 1.0 degrees C.

In the past, the changes in temperature that occurred between the advance and retreat of ice ages were of the order of one degree C per millenium, so an increase of one degree in a century represents a tenfold increase in the warming rate.

And some scientists are predicting an increase of two to six degrees over the next 50 years!

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NEVERTHELESS, because some models predict there is no threat of global warming, U.S. President George Bush has been persuaded that there should not be any international targets set for reducing carbon emissions until scientists have a better idea of what is going to happen.

But that could take decades, if ever.

Since our scientific knowledge base is minuscule and our ability to predict the consequences of humanity's impact on the planet is very poor, we should take the many eco-disaster scenarios seriously and act most conservatively to avoid them.

It is dangerous to keep putting out more greenhouse gases for no other reason than that we don't know what effects they will have.

By acting now to reduce these emissions, we will reap massive secondary benefits like conservation of resources, reduced acid rain and air pollution, improved health, less garbage and economic savings.

But if we do nothing and global warming continues and accelerates, future generations will pay the price of our reckless gamble.

The fracas over Mr. Ellison’s decision to use the Koran during his personal swearing-in ceremony began last month when Dennis Prager, a conservative columnist and radio host, condemned the decision as one that would undermine American civilization.

“Ellison’s doing so will embolden Islamic extremists and make new ones, as Islamists, rightly or wrongly, see the first sign of the realization of their greatest goal — the Islamicization of America,” said Mr. Prager, who said the Bible was the only relevant religious text in the United States.

“If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don’t serve in Congress,” Mr. Prager said.

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The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.