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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.
Bloomberg Proposes Hybrid Taxis
-- Mike -- 05/22/2007
He's says he's not thinking about running for president, but that hasn't stopped some pundits from buzzing about a possible White House bid by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. While it remains to be seen whether Bloomberg will actually throw his hat in the ring, this news article certainly caught my eye:
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced today a plan to replace the city's entire yellow cab fleet with environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles over the next five years.
The proposal is the latest push in Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC to create a more environmentally sustainable city and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
Click here to read the entire article.
Watered Down: The White House, The Smithsonian & Global Warming
-- Chris -- 05/21/2007
It was revealed today that the Smithsonian "watered down" the science of a global warming exhibit last April that focused on the effects to the Arctic. There was revealed to be an intentional altering of facts and the way facts were presented in such a way to cast doubt on whether or not global warming was actually occurring and if it was caused by humans. It seems the Smithsonian knows which side it's bread is buttered on, and "toned down" the exhibit for fears of angering the White House or Congress, according a former administrator at the museum. Why would the Smithsonian care about angering Washington? Almost all of the Smithsonian's budget comes from tax-payer dollars, therefore any risk of provoking "ire" from key politicians also means a risk of provoking funding cuts.
This is yet another example of why we need presidential leadership on global warming.
Click here to read entire article.
Richardson Unveils Global Warming Plan
-- Mike -- 05/17/2007
Governor Bill Richardson today unveiled his plan to fight global warming, which includes a proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2040 and by 90 percent by mid-century. Said Richardson: "I am issuing a call to action, for Congress, the energy industry and the public. I am calling for a new American revolution, an energy and climate revolution."
As the Associated Press reported, Richardson invoked President Kennedy's call for the Apollo space program - saying that the nation needs a "man-on-the-moon" effort to develop technologies that will cut energy costs and halt global warming.
Specifically, Richardson's plan calls for creating a market-based cap-and-trade system, increasing fuel economy standards to 50 miles a gallon and establishing a national renewable electricity standard of 30 percent by 2020 and 50 by 2040. Additionally, Richardson said he wants to fund programs to develop wind, solar and biomass energy.
