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Feeling the heat in New Hampshire
-- Mike -- 01/29/2007
I spent today in New Hampshire, and while in the Granite State I was fortunate enough to sit in on a briefing at the state house in Concord on the likely effects of climate change in the Northeastern United States. The presentation, given by two well-respected climate change experts, was attended by numerous members of the state legislature, as well as dozens of school-aged children, members of the environmental community and other concerned citizens.
The scientists illustrated that new climate projections for the Northeast show dramatic consequences for New Hampshire – from hotter temperatures to reduced snow pack to more extreme precipitation events. Fortunately, the fact that a presentation on global warming would garner such widespread interest – on a Monday afternoon nonetheless – is further proof that people recognize that it is time to take action on this issue.
I was particularly happy to see so many students in attendance, even if some of the science behind global warming may have gone over their heads. After all, it’s their generation – and their children’s generation – that will suffer the consequences if we fail to take serious steps to stop global warming. But their presence today at the capitol building is enough to give me hope that real change is on the way.
Duncan Hunter Chooses South Carolina to Announce Candidacy
-- John -- 01/28/2007
On Thursday, January 25, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) officially announced his candidacy for President in Spartanburg, SC. He did not field questions from the press or attendees, and spoke almost exclusively on the core principles of his campaign: "Border Enforcement"; "The War on Terror"; and "Fair and Equitable Trade." The next day during a campaign speech at the Charleston School of Law, Hunter made it a point to answer as many questions as possible. He fielded two questions on climate change.
One audience member asked, "What are you, as President, going to do about global warming?" Hunter responded that global warming is a problem and that we need to limit our carbon output, and then offered that he differs from other Republican candidates in that he believes we need to convert completely to ethanol fuel and that the catalyst for converting to ethanol should come from the military and the Department of Defense.
The second question came from Coastal Conservation League Program Director Megan Desrosiers, who addressed coastal South Carolina's vulnerability to rising sea levels and also the efforts of Governors Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Arnold Schwarzenegger of California to develop energy policies to combat climate change. Hunter aimed for laughs by pointing out that Schwarzenegger owns beach front property, but then added, "I think California's climate change plan is great and I'm glad your governor is paying attention to the issue." He then chose not to address any specifics in the state plans or elaborate further on his plan to address climate change.
McCain Visits SC State House
-- John -- 01/25/2007
Looking to shore up support among South Carolina's Republican legislators, Senator John McCain visited their weekly caucus meeting at the State House last Tuesday. While most of his comments to the press centered on his effort to build a political team in a state that handed him a bitter primary defeat in 2000, McCain fielded a question about global warming from SC Wildlife Federation organizer Jenn O'Rourke. When asked about a stance on global warming that has at times set him at odds with the pro-industry element of his own party, the Senator provoked chuckles by replying that he often has taken the unpopular position if it is the right thing. In 2003 Senators McCain and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) introduced the Climate Stewardship Act, which would reduce greenhouse gas pollution while stimulating innovation in the field of environmental protection. Despite the support of 155 American mayors and a coalition of labor and environmental groups (including the National Wildlife Federation and League of Conservation Voters), the measure failed 43 to 55. Reintroduced on 12 January, 2007, the bill now includes Senators Barak Obama (D-IL) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) as co-sponsors.
SC Governor Announces Climate Change Stockholders Conference
-- John -- 01/23/2007
In his State of the State Address last week, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford called for a climate change stakeholders conference to address ways to mitigate the impact of hurricanes on South Carolina's coast. While the CVSC endorses efforts to improve building and zoning regulations to mitigate the impact of hurricanes, South Carolina also needs a comprehensive plan to address global warming. This includes not only supporting statewide initiatives to promote renewable energy sources, but also reducing carbon dioxide pollution. In his remarks the Governor offered that we need to think of ourselves "as a country rather than a state" because our competition comes less now from North Carolina or Georgia but the emerging economies of places like China and India. It is worth noting that if South Carolina were a country, we'd be the 38th largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world. So whatever is happening internationally or on a federal level, global warming should be one of South Carolina's top "domestic" issues.
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.
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