Dr. John Holdren, White House's Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, claimed that the effects of man-made global warming are actually preventing the onset of a new ice age, according to the Inquisitr.
Although the scientific expert supports President Barrack Obama's projects to curb greenhouse gas emissions, Holdren statement seems to acknowledge the benefits of global warming caused by human activities.
"We know beyond any reasonable doubt that humans are the main cause of warming of the Earth's climate that has been measured over the past few decades," he said during the White House's online question and answer session.
"The warming is unequivocal," he added. "While the climate of the earth has changed over the millennia as a result of natural factors - principally changes in the tilt and orientation of the Earth's axis and rotation, and in the shape of its orbit around the sun - those changes occur far too gradually to have noticeable effects over a period of mere decades."
Holdren then noted that due to Earth's rising temperatures, climate change has prevented the arrival of a new ice age. This is a natural period that occurs when a significant and immediate drop in temperature causes polar ice sheets and glaciers to expand.
"In their current planes, moreover, they would be gradually cooling the Earth - taking is to another ice age - if they weren't being more than offset by human-caused warming," he said.
Holdren's view on the environmental issue was considered controversial by some as it touches on two significant debate points, according to the Examiner.
First, the White House's science advisor openly admitted that he believes that climate change is caused by humans. This notion goes against the view of some organizations that maintain that global warming is a natural phenomenon.
In addition, saying that climate change is pushing back the ice age implies that Holdren believes the environmental problem is good for Earth's conditions.
His statement also opens the issue of whether the production of greenhouse gas emissions should be continued in order to prevent the ice age or cut it off completely and risk subjecting the Earth to a new climate problem brought on by cooling temperatures.
