Topic: 1982

A 1982 news report by Dan Rather detailed early scientific theories regarding the greenhouse effect and the warming of the Earth's atmosphere due to fossil fuel consumption. The report warned of melting ice sheets in Antarctica and rising sea levels that could flood 25% of Florida and disrupt the American farm belt. At the time, scientists and political leaders criticized the Reagan administration for cutting research budgets related to CO2 monitoring.

A 2004 Washington Post report is cited to show that the CIA previously sabotaged a Soviet pipeline in 1982 using compromised software. The operation caused a massive non-nuclear explosion in Siberia that was visible from space by resetting pump and valve pressures beyond their physical limits. This historical precedent is used to argue that the U.S. has a long-standing capability and history of targeting foreign energy infrastructure through covert means.