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Back to Basics

-- Micah -- 09/04/2008

Climate policy is heavily laden with jargon and acronyms that seem at times indecipherable to the public.  Climate scientists along with their counterparts in the realm of public policy use language that can often mystify, confuse, or fly right over the heads of audiences that aren’t “in the know.”   As an Ohio League of Conservation Voters staffer and as a Master’s candidate at Miami University’s Institute of Environmental Sciences, I often take for granted the words, phrases, and acronyms that are part of my daily conversations. 

This became quite clear to me this past Labor Day as I talked with an old friend about what I am doing in my new job.  “I’m working to help establish a strong cap and trade system for CO2 emissions,” I said.  “What does that mean, cap and trade?” he replied.  Thus I embarked on a long winded story of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, the implementation and success of the SO2 cap and trade program, and the importance of using market-driven systems to curtail pollution.  My friend, a steel worker at AK in Middletown, seemed satisfied with what I had to say, but also admitted that he’d quit listening to me “about ½ way through” my speech.  “I understood you, but you used a lot of words I don’t use... I don’t think I could explain cap and trade to someone else,” he said. 

Upon hearing this I thought to myself, “Oh, man, I failed.”  And I had. 

Those of us fighting for strong climate change legislation need to ask ourselves, “How can I make the seriousness of climate change and the potential for a strong national system to fight against global warming more easily understood?”  As those fighting the good fight, our language, tone, and individual personalities play a significant part in answering this question, but, fundamentally, we need to share good information and sound science from reputable sources AND do it without ten dollar words. 

If you recognize the enormous challenge of tackling a global phenomenon like climate change, and if at times you (like me) seem to be talking more Martian than English, I suggest going back to basics.  In that spirit, I offer a few links to websites with embedded videos that I think do a fair job of describing: Global Warming and Cap and Trade.  Further, this site has a comprehensive climate glossary. It is a great resource for bringing those "out of the know" into it.

Is anybody listening?

-- Peter -- 09/02/2008

From my experience, so many people hesitate to get involved in the political process because they believe their voice will get lost in the ocean of concerned citizens. Well, the opposite is actually true. Because so few actually vote and even fewer know who represents them in government or take the time to find out, actually contacting those who represent you gives you a lot of power. When we do speak up our representatives actually listen. They figure that if you took the time to write or call then there are many others that feel the way you do. You are actually representing a group of sorts. The more effort it takes the more people you represent.  

 

So, is it worth it to take the time get involved in the political process? Only if you want to see action on the issues you care about.

 

So fire up that pen and paper and make a difference.  

Why Not?

-- Peter -- 08/20/2008

I had the privilege of witnessing Al Gore call for this country to get all of its energy from renewable resources in ten-years time. I know that these things can be complicated and yes expensive but still it’s the right thing to do and I ask why not? 

 To explain the scope of what is being asked in moving to a clean economy people use past efforts like the Manhattan Project that brought us the Atomic Bomb, the Apollo Program that put an American on the moon or the D-Day invasion which was a good day for the Allies and a bad day for Nazi Germany.

All of these events were almost impossible but arguably necessary efforts.  Of these three, my favorite for purposes of explaining the global warming crises, is the Apollo program. It fits because it took an idealism and belief in ourselves collectively to achieve something that no one could prove was possible until it happened. The Manhattan and D-day invasion were secret projects with a relative few in the know. The first and very important step in the Apollo Project was President Kennedy challenging the nation to attempt something way out there, literally. Where do we find taht leadership today? How do we find it in ourselves to respond to true leadership? I think there exists a feeling of well, that was the 1960's and things are differnt today. Maybe they are, but why?

So if you want to fight global warming you have to believe that even if we don’t know exactly how we are going to get from here to there and what challenges we will face, we can solve this. That kind of optimism is contagious in any generation.         

Hope for the Future

-- Peter -- 08/18/2008

My wife and I were at a back-to-school fair with our two boys this past weekend when we came across two kids (I guess as seniors at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, they are considered young women, but they're kids to me) who were at the fair promoting their novel idea. They care about the environment and on their own initiative they started LiveGreenLearnGreen. This non-profit started and operated by Richa Kalsi and Aleah Bowie, offers baby-sitting and tutor services for regular folks like my wife and I with all of the proceeds go to providing low-income individuals with ways to save money by making their residence more energy efficient. WOW! Everybody wins: parents, kids, people who will have lower energy bills and all of because we will have a cleaner world and a reason for hope for the future. These remarkable young women can be reached at livegreenlearngreen@gmail.org or 240-271-7106 and 301.906.1310.      

Hi, I’m the organizer for Heat is On-Maryland

-- Peter -- 08/13/2008

Hi, My name is Pete and I care about the world I am leaving my children. I care about all children - well, some of my kids' friends are hard to deal with but you get the idea. It is really the thought of my own children someday saying "Dad, what were you guys thinking back then, why didn't you do anything?" that gives me nightmares. I feel like if I don't do anything I can't expect anyone else to care.

 

I am old enough to know that the world doesn't change easily and there is a feeling, at least in the U.S., that the era of big ideas like putting a man on the moon is over, but I just can't believe that we are not capable of being challenged and that there is not a hunger for that challenge. If you are reading this you must also care and thank you for that. Keep up the good work and if you want to change the world, change one person and then take it from there. That is all we can do and I believe eventually that will be enough. Thank you from my wife and Mitchell (age 11) and Max (age 9). More from the campaign to follow, stay tuned. Onward and upward......................

Fight global warming in Maryland with Facebook

-- Peter -- 08/13/2008

If you live in Maryland or you’re just interested in letting the leadership in Congress hear about this crisis, please check out the group Heat is On- Maryland on Facebook.  This group will keep you informed on opportunities to raise your voice as part of what is unfolding as one of the great social movements in our country’s history.

 

We are expecting either a greener or much greener administration next year so the time to speak up is now!

 

A New Energy Revolution

-- Andrew Snow -- 07/18/2008

Yesterday Al Gore issued a challenge to our leaders, especially the next President - 100 percent renewable energy in 10 years. While many people might think it's simply not possible, it's a great goal for a lot of reasons. First of all, it can be done. It would take a lot of willpower (the reason for holding a press conference to issue a challenge), but the technology is available.

energy independence day

-- Andrew Snow -- 07/07/2008

The past couple of weeks have been a really busy time for the campaign - the flooding has receded, and we've moved right into the summer event schedule. We've done a lot of public outreach events; including our 'Carbon Free Home' event with author Stephen Hren, the state Democratic Convention, the Des Moines Art Fest/ArtsFest Midwest, and last weekend's 80/35 music festival. The public response has been overwhelmingly positive, and we've added hundreds of new supporters to our list...

Working through the floods

-- Drew -- 06/12/2008

I blog to you folks from the Iowa Global Warming Campaign’s downtown Des Moines office, where over the past few weeks we were almost forced to evacuate due to flooding. Many of you here in Iowa have probably been affected in some way by the flooding or the tornadoes. Although climate change cannot be directly linked to what has happened to our state, the severe weather of the last few weeks is in character with a world changed by global warming. Challenges like the ones before us can be solved if we have responsive and visionary political leadership.           

That’s only one reason I am dismayed with the Senate filibuster of the Climate Security Act of 2008 this June. But even though some of our leaders failed to lead in this session of congress, next year a global warming bill will come back stronger, with more support in the senate. There are many ways to contact our leaders and demand climate change solutions.           

I gave comment by telephone for the public comment period during the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council’s June 12 meeting. It is through careful engagement in the government process we are hoping to make the biggest difference on the Advisory Council’s recommendations. Public comment is important because by adding voices to the cause of global warming solutions, we hasten the day when those solutions are reality.  I’d encourage you to check out the calendar for our upcoming events, or contact us to find ways to get more involved. 

Drew Veysey

dveysey@iowaglobalwarming.org

In one week Global Warming Bill debated in US Senate

-- Drew -- 05/28/2008

 Iowa Global Warming is constantly looking for oppurtunities to make decision-makers take positive steps in stopping global warming. Before the US Senate is the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (http://lieberman.senate.gov/documents/acsabill.pdf). It is exciting we have a bill that will be debated and probably voted on, but the goals just will not provide real climate security. We need a plan that reduces green house gas emissions 80% of 1990 levels by mid-century. We need a system that puts a price on emissions, and does not let corporations pollute for free (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap_and_trade).

In the next few weeks there will be ample oppurtunities to help stop global warming right here in Iowa. Come help Iowa Global Warming at the Exodus music festival in Iowa City on June 7th (http://www.exodusmusicfestival.com/exodus.htm).  Get connected through our facebook group "Keep It Cool Iowa". Ask Iowa Senators Grassley (http://grassley.senate.gov/public/)  and Harkin (http://harkin.senate.gov/)  to pass a climate change bill that truly tackles the problem. Volunteer to gather petition signatures at your local farmers market or church event. Write a letter to the editor about the Lieberman-Warner bill before the senate, using the link on our webpage makes it easy.  

Stay tuned for more updates, we have some exciting things in the works for our youtube channel and we always look for events where we could raise awareness. If you know of an event that needs a snowman speaking truth to power, send me a note at dveysey@iowaglobalwarming.org

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