The Western Governors’ Association, which represents 19 U.S. states, heard from a slate of scientists during a three-day conference that greenhouse gases spewed by automobiles and power plants are increasing global temperatures, and that warming of even a few degrees causes flooding, heat waves, droughts, and tropical diseases.

Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal, incoming chairman, expressed the frustration his colleagues share in making policy to meet the almost-apocalyptic predictions.

“It is clear that this is certainly the issue of our time and it makes no sense for us to ignore what is the 900-pound gorilla of policy decisions,” said Freudenthal. “We are looking for the silver lining in a black cloud.”

Elsewhere, as Congress debated an epic energy bill in Washington, D.C, religious leaders seized the chance last week to tell senators where God stands on emissions.

Not surprisingly, Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe, minority leader on the committee pushing the bill, was one who got the message: “We are made in God’s image and should use the resources God has given us.”

Inhofe, in an earlier insight, has also called global warming “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people.”