BLOG
Romney: Use Less Oil By Becoming Energy Independent
-- Mike -- 07/05/2007
I happened to catch C-SPAN's coverage of a Mitt Romney event in Creston, IA, from earlier this week. During the Q&A, Romney was asked how he would work with Congress to get things done. Romney responded that he is "willing to work across the aisle" on, among other issues, "using less oil by becoming energy independent in this country."
Clinton Discusses Energy, Global Warming in Iowa
-- Steve -- 07/04/2007
Surrounded by bales of straw on a flat-bed trailer stage, Hillary Clinton was accompanied by her husband for their first political joint appearance in Iowa yesterday. Clinton's new campaign theme song, "You and I" by Celine Dion, was played in the background as the Clintons were escorted by Ruth Harkin, Senator Tom Harkin's wife to the elevated stage.
President Clinton gave a brief bio of Senator Clinton and kept his remarks brief and to the point of why he believes his wife is the best qualified candidate.. Senator Clinton outlined several policy areas that she believes need the next administrations immediate attention, including energy policy.
Senator Clinton's approach to energy independence is to establish a "strategic energy fund" for research for clean renewable energy. Resources that currently go to the oil industry as subsidies would be redirected to this fund, she said, and used to fund research for new clean renewable energy sources.
Senator Clinton also spoke about "green collar" jobs in her stump speech. When addressing global warming, she said that new technologies, research and production jobs that will go into clean renewable energy solutions. Millions of new "green collar" jobs will be created around the country, she said.
It was encouraging to hear Senator Clinton discuss global warming, green collar jobs and the strategic energy fund, and we look forward to hearing more about her energy policy in the future. At her next town meeting - and at every candidate's next town meeting - Iowans should continue to ask questions about how we will solve the global climate crisis.
Global Warming in the News from Coast-to-Coast
-- Mike -- 06/19/2007
In scanning this morning's global warming news, I came across several interesting stories that show global warming is quite literally at the forefront of the political discussion from coast to coast...
- Maine Governor John Baldacci signed legislation yesterday that establishes a cap-and-trade system to control greenhouse gas emissions. Read more here.
- A new poll from South Dakota shows that about three-fourths of the state's residents think global warming is very serious or somewhat serious. Read more here.
- Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced that Arnold Schwarzenegger will be the keynote speaker at the Florida Summit on Global Climate Change in Miami next month. Read more here.
Obama Addresses Issue of Liquid Coal
-- Mike -- 06/12/2007
The United States Senate has been debating energy legislation this week, and one of the issues being discussed is liquid coal. Senator Barack Obama's office has issued a statement clarifying his position on the issue. It says:
"Today's incorrect story in CongressDaily 'Senate Debate Is Likely To Test Party, Regional Priorities,' misstates Senator Obama's position on the development of coal-to-liquid fuels. Senator Obama recognizes that global warming is one of the most significant problems that we face. He supports an 80% reduction in carbon emissions from all sources by 2050 and a 10% reduction in the carbon emissions of transportation fuels by 2020. Senator Obama supports research into all technologies to help solve our climate change and energy dependence problems, including shifting our energy use to renewable fuels and investing in technology that could make coal a clean burning source of energy. However, unless and until this technology is perfected, Senator Obama will not support the development of any coal-to-liquid fuels unless they emit at least 20% less life-cycle carbon than conventional fuels. If an amendment is offered on the Senate floor that would provide incentives for - or mandate the use of - coal-to-liquid fuels without these environmental safeguards, Senator Obama will oppose the amendment."
We'll continue to monitor the Senate's debate on energy policy and provide additional updates on candidates' positions on this and other important issues.
Richardson ‘Job Interview’ Ad Features Global Warming
-- Mike -- 06/12/2007
Bill Richardson has released a series of "job interview" TV ads, and his latest ad features him talking about global warming. In the ad, Richardson says:
"Global warming is critical for the next president. And no other state has done as much as New Mexico. We passed tax credits for wind, solar and bio fuels. Utility companies have to use renewable sources. And I set tough standards to reduce greenhouse emissions. President Bush doesn't follow the Kyoto Treaty, but my state does. I can do all that as president."
This ad comes on the heels of another recent Richardson ad that also focuses on global warming and energy.
Dodd Ad Focuses Exclusively on Global Warming
-- Mike -- 05/31/2007
Chris Dodd rolled out a new TV ad today that focuses exclusively on global warming. The ad, which will be running in Iowa and New Hampshire, includes the following from the narrator:
"All the Earth's creatures are threatened by global warming. One candidate for president is doing something to stop it - Chris Dodd. He's the only one with an energy plan that has a courageous corporate carbon tax to transform American industry."
This ad comes on the heels of another recent TV spot from Dodd that also references global warming.
NASA Chief at Odds with Agency’s Science
-- Megan -- 05/31/2007
In the May 2007 issue of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, researchers with NASA and Columbia University's Earth Institute released findings warning that unless action is taken quickly on global warming, the earth could soon experience "strong amplifying feedbacks" that will lead to "dangerous tipping points." And yet yesterday, in an interview with NPR, NASA Administrator Michael D. Griffin wondered whether global warming is an issue we should tackle at all.
Griffin stated, "I have no doubt that … a trend of global warming exists. I am not sure that it is fair to say that it is a problem we must wrestle with."
Even more disquieting was Griffin's following statement: "I don't think it's within the power of human beings to assure that the climate does not change." Griffin went on to criticize those who think that a warmer climate will be detrimental to our planet's environmental wellbeing as assuming an "arrogant position."
One must assume, in turn, that we cannot look to NASA for leadership on the most important atmospheric crisis of human history. Griffin concluded: "Nowhere in NASA's authorization, which of course governs what we do, is there anything at all telling us that we should take actions to affect climate change in either one way or another."
California Carbon-Cutting Contracts Coming
-- Adam -- 05/25/2007
The State of California took another step towards reducing carbon emissions on Wednesday, the AP reported. The California Energy Commission now mandates that out-of-state providers of electricity sequester emissions for any power sold to California municipalities. The changes won't have an immediate impact, as the rule can be applied only to new contracts. However, with nearly all contracts coming up for renewal in the next two decades, the measure will further help the state reach its carbon-reduction goals over the same period. State environmental groups have praised the move as a path toward reducing emissions throughout the West. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has stated on multiple occasions that his state will lead where the federal government has fallen behind on climate solutions and bring other states along in the process. This state-level reform provides another example to national leaders of what solutions are attainable in the near term.
New Dodd Ad Highlights Global Warming
-- Mike -- 05/24/2007
Senator Chris Dodd is running a new TV ad in Iowa and New Hampshire that references his global warming. Here's a portion of the script, which is spoken by an announcer in the ad:
"...Soon Chris Dodd will be talking in Iowa about his plan to stop global warming, the plan Al Gore and Bill Bradley call 'creative' and 'bold.' Maybe the other candidates will follow Chris Dodd on global warming, too."
This is further proof that the issue of global warming is becoming a top tier issue in the race for the White House.
DiCaprio shows environmental documentary at Cannes
-- Megan -- 05/23/2007
Leonardo DiCaprio has co-financed, produced, written and narrated a new environmental documentary on climate change that is premiering at the Cannes Film Festival. "The 11th Hour" details how and why the climate has changed and then proposes solutions to this problem. DiCaprio has become an environmental activist over the last decade, serving on the boards of National Resources Defense Council and Global Green USA. According to John Horn's interview for the LA Times, DiCaprio said the film "needs to spark some sort of change that will hopefully translate into the next election and translate into the way people live their lives."
In Angela Doland's article for the Associated Press, "DiCaprio follows Gore on Climate Change," the actor credits former U.S. Vice President Al Gore with bringing global warming to the forefront of American's political conscious. DiCaprio also thanks Gore for taking time to explain the issue to him 10 years ago, something DiCaprio said influenced him to become more active.
"The 11th Hour" will premier in the U.S. in October.
