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Edwards calls global warming issue of patriotism
-- Kevin -- 04/11/2007
When Senator John Edwards was in Iowa last week, he called global warming an issue of patriotism. Here's how it was reported by Matt Clark at Iowapolitics.com:
The former senator from North Carolina said that it is time for America to once again be an example of “all that is good” for the rest of the world by generally conserving more and wasting less. He called on the U.S. to cut greenhouse emissions 80 percent by 2050 and for the most fuel-efficient car to be American made. He said that doing so would show a true commitment from the American people.
“This issue of climate change is an emergency,” said Edwards. “It is time for the president of the United States to ask Americans to be patriotic about something other than war.”
The full story can be found here.
Kerry & Gingrich Debate Global Warming Solutions
-- Mike -- 04/10/2007
Appearing before a standing room only crowd in the Russell Senate Office Building, Senator John Kerry and former Speaker Newt Gingrich debated the issue of global warming. However, the debate was not marked by a discussion of the existence of global warming, but rather a thoughtful exchange of ideas over how best to solve the growing climate crisis.
To solve global warming, Gingrich suggested that we need "a new science- and technology-based, entrepreneurial, market-oriented and locally led environmentalism." He later added that "regulation and litigation are the least effective ways of getting solutions."
Kerry, for his part, argued for greater government involvement to help spur necessary investments in technology. "Within the next decade, if we don't deal with global warming, our children and grandchildren will have to deal with global catastrophe. We need big changes to fix a big problem. We can't ‘middle' our way there," Kerry said.
One of the event's most interesting exchanges, though, involved the Senate's most dubious global warming denier:
Kerry: I'm excited to hear you talk about the urgency, I really am. And given that - albeit you still sort of have a different approach - what would you say to Senator Inhofe and to others in the Senate who are resisting even the science? What's your message to them here today?
Gingrich: My message I think is that the evidence is sufficient that we should move towards the most effective possible steps to reduce carbon loading of the atmosphere...
Kerry: And to it urgently, and now?
Gingrich: And do it urgently. Yes.
President Bush Responds to Supreme Court Decision
-- Mike -- 04/08/2007
At a press conference last Tuesday, April 3, President Bush was asked about the Supreme Court decision on regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Here's the question and the president's full response:
Question: On climate change and the decision that was issued yesterday by the U.S. Supreme Court, what's your reaction to that decision?
And don't you think that this makes some kind of broad caps on greenhouse gas emissions more or less inevitable?
Bush: I - first of all, the decision the Supreme Court is - we take very seriously. It's the new law of the land.
And secondly, we're taking some time to fully understand the details of the decision.
As you know, this decision was focused on emissions that come from automobiles. My attitude is that we have laid out a plan that will affect greenhouse gases that come from automobiles by having a mandatory fuel standard that insists on 35 - using 35 billion gallons of alternative fuels by 2017, which will reduce our gasoline uses by 20 percent and halt the growth in greenhouse gases that emanate from automobiles.
In other words, there is a remedy available for Congress. And I strongly hope that they pass this remedy quickly.
In terms of the broader issue, I - first of all, I've taken this issue very seriously. You know, I have said that it is a serious problem. I recognize that man is contributing greenhouse gases, that - but here are the principles by which I think we can get a good deal.
One, anything that happens cannot hurt economic growth. It's - and I say that because, one, I care about the working people of the country, but also because in order to solve greenhouse gas - the greenhouse gas issue over a longer period of time, it's going to require new technologies, which tend to be expensive. And it's easier to afford expensive technologies if you're prosperous.
Secondly, whatever we do, must be in concert what happens - with what happens internationally. Because we can pass any number of measures that are now being discussed in the Congress, but unless there is an accord with China, China will produce greenhouse gases that will offset anything we do in a brief period of time.
And so those are the principles that will guide our decision-making: How do you encourage new technology? How do you grow the economy? And how do you make sure that China is - and India - are a part of a - you know, a rational solution?
Suggested Reading Material for Presidental Candidates
-- Mike -- 04/07/2007
Presidential candidates stumping in Iowa yesterday would have come across two interesting pieces in the Des Moines Register if they happened to be perusing the paper between campaign stops.
The first piece is an editorial from the paper itself, suggesting that "the president and Congress must step up to the plate with a national global-warming strategy that is part of a global solution."
The other piece is a op/ed from Frank Cownie, mayor of Des Moines, and Brenda Ekwurzel, a climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, in which they argue that "reducing global-warming emissions must be our highest priority to avoid leaving our children and grandchildren a world we wouldn't even recognize."
I know if I were running for president, I would certainly take a few minutes to read both of them in their entirely.
Spies Like Us?
-- Mike -- 04/03/2007
This article is a few days old, but the headline caught my eye...and again proves how far we've come in recognizing the threat posed by global warming.
U.S. spies urged to assess global warming
This is about legislation that Senators Richard Durbin and Chuck Hagel recently introduced that that would, according to a statement from their offices, "require a National Intelligence Estimate to assess the security challenges presented by the world's changing climate."
The statement from the senators' offices includes this quote from Hagel, who is still considering run for president:
"As I have said for many years, the way forward is to responsibly address the issue of climate change with a national strategy that incorporates economic, environmental and energy priorities. These issues are inextricably linked and changes to one will affect the other two. These priorities are also an integral part of U.S. national security. Risk assessment is essential to putting our national resources in the places where they will be most effective. This is even more important when assessing risk to national security. This legislation will provide information we need to continue to help make our country secure in the years to come."
National security. Environmental protection. Job creation. All three are important, and all three are related to fighting global warming.
Supreme court rules against Bush in global warming case
-- Mike -- 04/02/2007
I was in a meeting earlier today and received this "breaking news" alert from ABCnews.com on my Blackberry:
SUPREME COURT REBUKES BUSH ADMINISTRATION, ORDERING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TAKE NEW LOOK AT EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES FROM CARS.
This is great news, but even better is this headline from Reuters:
Supreme court rules against Bush in global warming case
Read more here.
‘We all breathe the same air’
-- Mike -- 03/28/2007
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman interviewed California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently about his efforts to build a "Republican-Democratic coalition in California to blunt climate change." Friedman writes about it in today's column. Money quote:
"The debate is over," [Schwarzenegger] said to me. "I mean, how many more thousands and thousands of scientists do we need to say, ‘We have done a study that there is global warming?' "
What is "amazing for someone that does not come from a political background like myself," said Governor Schwarzenegger, is that "this line is being drawn" between Democrats and Republicans on climate change. "You say to yourself: ‘How can it be drawn on the environment?' But it is. But the great thing is more and more Republicans are coming on board for this. Seeing how important this is. And more and more Democrats and Republicans are working together. ... I said in my inaugural address: ‘There isn't such a thing as Republican clean air or Democratic clean air. We all breathe the same air.' Let's get our act together, fix this problem and fight global warming."
Excerpt of Gore Congressional Testimony
-- Mike -- 03/21/2007
"The climate crisis is, by its nature, a global problem - and ultimately the solution must be global as well. The best way - and the only way - to get China and India on board is for the U.S. to demonstrate real leadership. As the world's largest economy and greatest superpower, we are uniquely situated to tackle a problem of this magnitude.
"After all, we have taken on problems of this scope before. When England and then America and our allies rose to meet the threat of global Fascism, together we won two wars simultaneously in Europe and the Pacific.
"This is a moral moment of similar magnitude. This is not ultimately about any scientific discussion or political dialogue. It is about who we are as human beings and our capacity to transcend our limitations and rise to meet this challenge."
Edwards Announces Global Warming Plan
-- Mike -- 03/21/2007
At an event in Iowa yesterday, John Edwards announced his plan to address global warming, which, as the Associated Press reported, includes a cap on greenhouse gas pollution and stricter auto emissions standards. Edwards said:
"Our generation must be the one that says, 'we must halt global warming.' Our generation must be the one that says 'yes' to renewable fuels and ends forever our dependence on foreign oil. And our generation must be the one that builds the new energy economy. It won't be easy, but it is time to ask the American people to be patriotic about something other than war."
Specifically, Edwards' plan calls for reducing greenhouse gas pollution by 80 percent by 2050, creating a "New Energy Economy Fund" to support research and development in energy technology, having 25 percent of the nation's electricity come from renewable energy sources and raising fuel economy standards to 40 mpg.
Also yesterday, more than 1,000 activists rallied on Capitol Hill to draw attention to the need for action on climate change. Speakers at the rally included Sens. Barbara Boxer, John Kerry and Bernie Sanders, as well as Reps. Edward Markey and Henry Waxman.
