Gov. Bob McDonnell sees no need to restart a panel that explored climate-change problems in Virginia, a key official said Monday.
"It's a global issue, and it's hard to say what changes we could make that would make that much of a difference," said Doug Domenech, the Republican governor's secretary of natural resources.
He added, "Humans might be part of the cause, but too often in the debate it's missed that the Earth has been warmer in the past and it has been a lot cooler in the past. ... So I would say the science is mixed on a lot of those things."
Still, climate-related issues such as rising sea levels are a concern, Domenech said.
He spoke during a news briefing at the Patrick Henry Building in Capitol Square.
"This is total denial," said Tyla Matteson, political chairwoman for the Sierra Club's Virginia chapter. She accused Domenech of spreading "the same old myths."
A panel appointed by then-Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, a Democrat, found in 2008 that a warming climate could spread disease in Virginia, threaten coastal areas with rising seas and imperil native animals such as crabs.
Recommendations included calls to better educate the public and to increase protections for forests and wetlands.
Numerous scientific organizations say the Earth is warming, and they say the evidence is strong that human actions are a major cause.
For example, the National Academy of Sciences said in a May report: "Climate change is occurring, is very likely caused primarily by the emission of greenhouse gases from human activities, and poses significant risks for a range of human and natural systems."
Domenech also said at the briefing:
• The Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, a group of bay-state governors and others that helps direct the bay cleanup, will meet July 11 at Maymont in Richmond. It will be the group's first meeting here.
•McDonnell's plan to protect 400,000 acres of land is behind schedule, in part because the bad economy seems to be discouraging people from protecting land voluntarily.
More then 60,000 acres have been protected since McDonnell took office in January 2010.
•McDonnell is "significantly" cutting back on state spending to buy land. Among other reasons, Domenech said localities lose tax money when the state buys land.
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