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Candidates from both Republican and Democratic parties ask America to conserve
-- John -- 02/20/2007
While campaigning in different parts of the state and to different constituencies, both Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) voluntarily raised the importance of pushing America toward greater energy conservation. Speaking to supporters in Spartanburg on Sunday (2.18), Sen. McCain stated, "I believe that if Americans are asked, they will conserve. I'm not talking about putting on sweaters. I'm just saying that we can enact a lot of things that would save on energy if Americans are asked to do it." And addressing her supporters in Columbia on Monday (2.19), Sen Clinton offered: "We all have to conserve more . . . If we demand more energy efficient appliances and cars that get greater gas millage, all that added up will begin to make a difference. You know the state of California has used conservation for the last 30 years. Their electricity usage has not increased in 30 years because they keep conserving." Sen. Clinton went on to refute the idea that pushing energy conservation will endanger the US economy.
Words from Two Sides: McCain and Richardson
-- Adam -- 02/20/2007
We've seen noteworthy support for action against global warming from both the Republican and Democratic parties over the past week. As John noted this weekend, Senator McCain defended the scientific consensus and said solutions would benefit the economy, not hurt it. He also said on the 14th that the issue has reached a "tipping point" for policy solutions to be enacted, as reported by Reuters. On the Democratic side, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson indicated that dealing with the problem head on would be a priority, arguing "the first thing he would do as president is re-sign the Kyoto Protocol". Richardson said he would act "because the planet is saying something to us and the oceans and the best scientists in the world are saying global warming is man-made," as quoted in Foster's Daily Democrat.
Sen. McCain Refutes Global Warming Sceptic in Spartanburg, SC
-- John -- 02/18/2007
To a global warming skeptic in Spartanburg, SC, who suggested that global warming is a "Democratic lie," and that our warming planet is being caused by the 2004 earthquake in the Indian Ocean, Senator McCain was emphatic: "We have a respectful disagreement, sir. The overwhelming majority of scientific opinion in American today and in the world is that climate change is real. The fact is that it is real, and the solution to it is through development of technologies that will help our economy and not hurt our economy. We can also take measures such as a cap and trade proposal which we are in favor of . . . I believe that climate change is real, as do increasing numbers of the evangelical community, and I believe that we have an obligation of the stewardship of this earth. I'll be glad to share scientific information with you, but in my view the debate is over. The question is how to address it in a way that is beneficial to mankind and America." The Senator was speaking at "meet 'n greet" in Spartanburg on February18.
Sen. Obama Addresses Global Warming
-- John -- 02/17/2007
In comments on February 17 before a packed gymnasium at Caflin University in Orangeburg, SC, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) discussed finding solutions to global warming in the context of both national security and economic development. According to Obama, the hundreds of millions of dollars that Americans spend every day on oil ends up "funding both sides of the war on terrorism." Every time countries like Saudi Arabia want to raise oil prices, "they simply turn off the tap." But by developing alternative fuel sources through crops like corn and switch grass, Obama argued not only that the United States will achieve energy independence, but that South Carolina will transform its rural economy: "We are going to locate these [biofuel] plants in rural areas all across South Carolina." And touching on the the vulnerability of South Carolina's coast to global warming, Obama pointed out that the melting of the polar ice caps could put the city of Charleston under water. What has been lacking is presidential leadership, the Senator concluded, comparing the need to transform the US energy economy to President Kennedy's decision to land a man on the moon.
Rockin’ the Globe
-- Adam -- 02/16/2007
"Live Earth", a worldwide concert event to heighten attention about global warming, was announced over the past week and is scheduled for July 7th. Over 100 music groups will be scheduled to play in a 24-hour marathon of performances in 7 cities around the world. According to the Financial Times, booked artists include "the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Keane, Snow Patrol, Snoop Dogg, Bon Jovi, Duran Duran and Kelly Clarkson" The seven venues will be located in Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, South Africa, the U.K. and the U.S. The project hopes to reach more than 2 billion people with a message of the threats we face from climate change. A variety of media, including television and internet video, will be used to promote the issue beyond the concert audiences. Proceeds will be channeled back into The Alliance for Climate Protection. Hopefully we'll see a good deal of grassroots energy out of the event make its way into the presidential-primary campaigns.
Another Broken Record
-- Jessie -- 02/16/2007
We're on a two-month record breaking streak. This article from the Associated Press writes "it may be cold comfort during a frigid February, but last month was by far the hottest January ever"-and that's supposed to make us feel good? According to the US National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C., January's record, last set in 2002, was broken this year by .81 degrees, which is a lot considering most records are typically only broken by hundredths of a degree. While this was an overall worldwide warming, it was mostly the northern latitudes that influenced such a significant rise in temperature. In fact, Siberia was on average 9 degrees warmer than usual while Canada was about 5 degrees above the average. Overall the US was "about normal," although we all know a 70 degree January day is far from typical in New England.
Despite these warming trends and recent studies like the IPCC report, Sen. James Inhofe, longtime global warming skeptic, is still speaking out against what he considers to be a global "hoax." And he's found himself an ally. Recently Inhofe has praised and congratulated Czech President Vaclav Klaus for speaking out against global warming: "President Klaus is to be commended for his courage in speaking not only the truth about the science behind global warming fears, but the reality of the politicization of the UN." Now that's a powerful duo you don't want to mess with. (Read the entire story here.)
Sen. Chris Dodd was in NH yesterday, making it his second trip since he announced his candidacy for president. "New Hampshire will give me a chance, I'll be back here soon and often," he said. Dodd made a stop at the Portsmouth based Redhook Brewery where he listed his priorities, one of which was "energy and the environment." (Read the story from the Portsmouth Herald here.)
WHO on South Asia and Global Warming
-- Adam -- 02/15/2007
A World Health Organization adviser said in an interview for Reuters that South Asia, "home to more than one-sixth of humanity", faces major public heath problems with a warming climate, according to a Reuters piece. Among the potential problems are water-borne diseases, heat stress, and hunger. Shortened glacial melts and some regions becoming more arid are expected to drmatically reduce food crops in many regions. Increases in insect populations, namely mosquitos and ticks, are expected to spread diseases, such as malaria, to more people. Part of the problem is that world leaders can't see past the basic, physical impacts, like sea level or drought, to see the ultimate ramifications for human health. The adviser, Alex Hildebard states, "The link between climate change and human health is still not known even at the highest levels of government. We need to promote awareness on this."
The Scent of a Carbon Credit
-- Adam -- 02/14/2007
A creatively titled Bloomberg article today covers ways in which businesses are aiming to benefit from America's growing carbon-trading market. "Greed is motivating Wall Street to join the fight against global warming." First Reserve Corporation has partnered with Tyson Foods to capture methane from decomposing poultry scraps and farm-runoff ponds. "The investment firm then sells the credits to a power plant owner or another company that needs to meet state or federal pollution limits." This green endevor has been lucrative for First Reserve already, and the company's director claims a cap-and-tade law would make the company's carbon credit worth four times more. Potential returns like this have helped many in the business community "warm" to the idea of accepting the facts about climate change and supporting real limits and reductions on America's emissions.
Gov. Romney Calls for Energy Independence
-- John -- 02/14/2007
After announcing on Valentine's Day to nearly 400 South Carolina supporters that he intended to run for President, Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) fielded a question from CVSC about global warming and the recent call by 10 leading industries to cap carbon emissions. While the Governor did not directly address capping emissions, he did discuss energy independence at length, emphasizing that energy independence must be both our nation's short-term and long-term goal. The Governor wants to see an America, in his words, where "we produce as much energy as we use." And this in turn means pursuing a wide variety of energy options, including biodiesel, ethanol, solar, and wind, which according to Romney will not only help our country toward energy independence, but "allow us to emit less pollution into the air." Finally, the Governor concluded that he would like to see greater conservation efforts, noting that currently Americans use four times as much energy as the Japanese.
‘People Believe Passionately About This Issue’
-- Mike -- 02/14/2007
Interesting news out of Europe today:
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was staking his remaining months in office on reaching a new international agreement on climate change.
After talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Blair said he hoped to help thrash out compromises on a new accord to succeed the Kyoto Protocol governing reductions in greenhouse gases which expires in 2012.
"These next few months are absolutely crucial," Blair said.
"I think there is broad agreement in the world today on the threat that climate change poses to our environment and our planet.
"There is also an enormous drive in civic society. People believe passionately about this issue."
Read the entire story here.
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