BLOG
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.
Fox News Global Warming Poll
-- Adam -- 02/12/2007
A Fox News Poll conducted 1/30-31 and released recently shows positive movement on the issue of climate change among Americans. 82 percent of Americans say they believe that global warming is, in fact, real. That's a small but significant increase from the last time the question was asked in October 2005. A full 79% of those surveyed linked global warming to human activities, with over half of that group saying humans were the sole cause. "Sizable majorities" of Democrats, Republicans and independents say the problem exists. Even as the least convinced group (for lack of a better descriptor), a whopping 72% of Republicans believe there is some link between human activities and climate change. Of all groups, 79% of the respondents said they knew the issue at least "somewhat well". Overall, it seems like more Americans than before will be listening for solutions to global warming.
Gov. Huckabee Brings Boy Scout Rule to Global Warming
-- John -- 02/12/2007
With respect to global warming, while Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR) is as yet unwilling to ascribe definitively human causes to its growth, saying, "Scientists are all over the board on that." The governor does feel we have a special duty to protect our natural heritage, a conviction that he says comes from an evangelical perspective. "If I believe there is a Creator, and this is His creation, then we have a responsibility to take care of it," he told reporters at a February 12 press conference in Columbia, S.C. Governor Huckabee spent the weekend touring the state to shore up support for a possible run for the presidency. When it was pointed out that a recent poll by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation found that a significant majority (65%) of South Carolina hunters and anglers feel that global warming is a serious issue, Huckabee responded that he is a long-time member of the NRA, Ducks Unlimited and is an avid bass fisherman. And so with respect to our planet, Governor Huckabee promises to apply the "old Boy Scout rule" - "Leave the campsite better than you found it."
‘The Most Serious Thing I’ve Confronted’
-- Mike -- 02/12/2007
John Kerry appeared on ABC's "This Week" yesterday and talked about what his decision not to run for president means:
"By not running, what I say about it now is outside of the cloud of oh, he's running for president and this is why he's saying it. I'm liberated, and I can say what I believe and think which is the same, but I hope will be understood differently. And, secondly, global climate change -- it's getting a little into that cliched atmosphere. It is ... the most serious thing that I've confronted since I've been here. ... Teresa and I have just been writing a book somewhat about that, not exclusively. The more I read, the more I study, the more compelling that issue becomes."
Weekend Round Up
-- Mike -- 02/12/2007
Brownback in Michigan:
[Brownback] also called for wiping out cancer in 10 years and for putting more resources into alternative energy.
"Michigan is going to be a key state in getting that done," he said, noting its efforts to encourage the production of ethanol and biodiesel.
Clinton in New Hampshire:
Developing new ways to produce energy, [Clinton] said, would create jobs and allow the nation to end its "dependence on foreign oil."
"The first thing," she cautioned, "is to get the government to realize that (global warming) is a threat."
Giuliani in California:
Giuliani met for about an hour Friday night with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, also a Republican. Schwarzenegger urged him to help bring about a national debate on health care reform and the country's dependence on fossil fuel.
Hagel in Virginia:
Hagel, a possible 2008 Republican presidential contender, told students, faculty and others that despite the obstacles, America faces "limitless opportunities" because many issues are interconnected globally.
Climate change, terrorism, pandemic health worries, poverty and the spread of radical fundamentalism cannot be solved without U.S. leadership working with allies for common solutions, he said.
Obama in Illinois:
On a global scale, Obama addressed the issue of global warming and what must be done to change the effects of it.
"We can set up a system for capping greenhouse gases. We can turn this crisis of global warming into a moment of opportunity for innovation, job creation and an incentive for businesses that will serve as a model for the world," Obama said.
0 comments