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Global Warming Skeptics Slam Weather Channel Climate Expert
-- Katie -- 01/23/2007
Global warming skeptics are continuing to slam Dr. Heidi Cullen, the Weather Channel's climate expert and host of the weekly show The Climate Code for her blog post calling on local meteorologists to use sound science when talking about global warming.
"Meteorologists have a responsibility to truly educate themselves on the science of global warming. Meteorologists are among the few people trained in the sciences who are permitted regular access to our living rooms. And in that sense, they owe it to their audience to distinguish between solid, peer-reviewed science and junk political controversy,” said Dr. Cullen in her blog post about the meteorologists and global warming.
Despite the overwhelming consensus [by groups like NASA and the American Association for Advancement of Science] in the scientific community that global warming is occurring and should be addressed immediately, skeptics continue to attack Dr. Cullen and others.
Skeptics are clearly out of the mainstream and are trying to squelch science. There is a tidal wave of support to take action on global warming, including major corporations such as GE, evangelical churches and scientists who have joined forces to call on President Bush and Congress to take real action to address global warming. Congressional Leaders from John McCain to Nancy Pelosi are talking about the importance of finding real solutions to slow climate change. Instead of slamming Dr. Cullen for daring to suggest that critics of global warming use real studies to back up their claims, it's time these critics join in a real, substantive dialogue on solutions to address global warming. In the meantime, the rest of us should stand up in support of those like Dr. Heidi Cullen. Please share your support of Dr. Cullen on this blog and on the Weather Channel blog.
Town Meeting Initiative Heating Up In New Hampshire
-- brucebc -- 01/22/2007
More than 115 Communities in NH have placed a resolution on their Town Meeting ballot that, when passed, will send a message to Presidential Candidates, the NH Governor, and NH's Congressional Delegation supporting a national program to require reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions and a national research initiative to foster rapid development of sustainable energy technologies. The Town Meeting Initiative is led by the Carbon Coalition, a non-partisan coalition of citizens, scientists, businesses, students, communities and organizations who've come together to advocate for a national energy policy that protects our communities and environment from the ravages of global warming caused by carbon pollution.
The Town Meeting Initiative serves as NH's first rallying cry on Global Warming as we head into our First In The Nation Primary season. Led by volunteers living in Towns throughout the state, this effort shows how much the citizens of NH care about this issue and that they understand that we're all affected and we all have a role to play as we seek solutions to our biggest problems. In March, most towns in NH will assemble in their Town Meetings where they'll have the opportunity to express their concern about global warming and voice a demand for action. Here in NH we're very excited about this important effort. Stay tuned for more....
Sen. Biden Addresses Global Warming During Columbia Visit
-- John -- 01/16/2007
While visiting Columbia to commemorate Martin Luther King Day, Sen. Joe Biden met with CVSC legislative liaison Debbie Parker after Sunday services at the Zion Baptist Church. She asked what action he would take on global warming if he were elected President. Senator Biden responded, "It's imperative that we work together to lessen the impact of global warming on our society in order to preserve our world." He then mentioned having sponsored legislation on global warming, which includes a July 2006 bill that would reduce yearly gasoline consumption half a trillion gallons, or 13.1 million barrels of oil, by 2028. Senator Biden has also called on the Bush Administration return to international negotiations on climate change. The United States is the only G-8 country not to have signed the Kyoto Protocol.
Bill Richardson in South Carolina
-- John -- 01/12/2007
On the subject of global warming, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico is unequivocal: "I'm the best candidate." On his decision to run for president, he was a bit more circumspect, telling Conservation Voters of South Carolina members on January 12 that he will announce in two weeks. Governor Richardson is spending the weekend in South Carolina to meet with potential supporters and speak at the Second Annual Governors' Appreciation Dinner in Greenville, where he is the honored guest. Along with Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Richardson created in February of last year the Southwest Climate Change Initiative, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while promoting energy efficient technologies and clean energy sources. You can read more about their initiative here. Governor Richardson promises a return visit to South Carolina, and stated that finding solutions to global warming is one of his top priorities.
Senator Dodd Running for President
-- Katie -- 01/11/2007
Senator Dodd (D-CT) was on the Don Imus show early this morning to announce that he is skipping the exploratory phase that many candidates go through and will be filing papers to run for president today. Dodd will be in interviews this afternoon and travels to Iowa tonight to begin his campaign.
Dodd has discussed the need to find solutions to global warming several times during his career in the Senate. On Earth Day 2006, Dodd said "the critically important challenges of global warming, and threats to our rivers and air can't be ignored and need to be addressed." When he announced his candidacy, Dodd brought up energy as a key issue in his campaign. In the past, he has also mentioned the importance of conservation and finding alternative sources of energy such as biofuels, wind and solar power. We will provide updates here when he discusses global warming in his campaign.
Disapearing Arctic and Threatened Polar Bears Signal Importance of Action on Global Warming
-- Katie -- 01/03/2007
Recent coverage on global warming underscores just how important it is for our next president to address Global Warming. Let’s hope the 2008 candidates are paying attention.
The world has seen record breaking temperatures over the last few years. These temperatures have caused melting of the ice shelves in the more quickly than previously predicted. Scientists recently detected that the enormous Ayles ice shelf in the Arctic broke away in less than an hour from the main shelf. The Ayles ice shelf is 41 square miles, so for it to break off in less than an hour is shocking.
The melting is leading to the loss of habitat for many species, including the polar bear, which is losing its hunting ground as the ice shelves melt. Recently the Bush Administration announced it was considering placing polar bears on the Threatened Species List. This action would give the EPA the authority to regulate the causes of global warming, like carbon emissions, in order to protect the habitat of the polar bears. This kind of action is imperative if we are to prevent the extinction of the polar bear.
However, polar bears are not the only thing we should be worried about. While the ice island is frozen right now, the warmer temperatures of summer could endanger shipping routes and oil drilling sites as there is a possibility the ice island begins to move into these areas.
For more information, check out our videos here.
South Carolina Hunters and Anglers Against Global Warming
-- John -- 01/03/2007
In advance of the 2008 South Carolina presidential primaries, which will be among the first in the nation, the state's hunters and anglers have already voiced their concerns about global warming. In a survey conducted by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation in April of 2006, 68 percent of respondents identified global warming as an urgent problem. Moreover, a full 85 percent feel that the United States should lead the world in addressing global warming. "Some of South Carolina's most conservative citizens are witnessing the effects of global warming and are calling for leadership and solutions to address it," says Angela Viney, president of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. "They feel we have a moral responsibility to confront global warming to protect our children's future." The full survey can be found here: http://targetglobalwarming.org/southcarolinapressrelease
Arnold’s Campaign Manager Joins Team McCain
-- Navin -- 12/22/2006
Steve Schmidt, who helped bring Arnold back from the dead in the '06 cycle, has signed on as a senior adviser to John McCain. Now it isn't as if policies will neatly translate from candidate to candidate, but I doubt that Schmidt can ignore the significant boost Arnold received in embracing strong solutions to global warming. Of course, most advisers won't waste a minute comparing a general election in California to a presidential primary. But given McCain's commitment to the issue and the heightened public concern--particularly in coastal parts of South Carolina and among snow-dependent industries in New Hampshire--the opportunities won't be overlooked. The question is whether they'll actually be used. Will global warming be a campaign issue for John McCain?
Democratic Field Narrows
-- Navin -- 12/17/2006
In a surprise announcement on Saturday, Senator Evan Bayh decided to end his presidential bid, only two weeks after he set up a presidential exploratory committee. Just last week in New Hampshire, Bayh stated that global warming and energy independence would be central to his campaign. We are still a full year from having the first "votes" cast in IA (given that it's a caucus it isn't exactly like casting a vote), and already two prominent candidates have dropped out of the Democratic race. This is still the most wide open election in decades, but it will be interesting to see how fast it narrows. And for all the fun that has been made of exploratory committees...apparently some candidates do change their mind in the interim. Sometimes after just two weeks.
Governor Vilsack Says Energy Independence Key in his Run for President
-- Katie -- 12/01/2006
Yesterday, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack became the latest candidate in the 2008 race for the White House. Vilsack focused on the issues of energy security and global warming in his announcement, stating "Energy security will revitalize the world. America energy security will allow us to re-claim moral leadership in the discussion of Global Climate Change."
Energy played a big role in the 2006 elections and it's carrying over into the 2008 presidential campaign . Although Governor Vilsack is the first announced candidate to discuss global warming, several candidates who are considering running are also speaking out about energy independence. LCV looks forward to facilitating the candidates's debate on global warming--and we'll be closely follwing other announcements. To watch Gov. Vilsack talking about energy and global warming on CNBC, click here.
