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Clinton said it
-- Andrew Snow -- 09/22/2008
Well, former President Bill Clinton just said it on the Late Show with Letterman - individuals can't solve global warming alone, we also have to have leadership from our government. Honestly, I'm not 'happy', as much as it's good to hear (I'm getting used to hearing nice things from companies that burn a lot of coal, too) because this is a situation that needs real action, and needs it now. Speaking the truth, even when you ARE power, doesn't get it done. We need help to make this happen. There are a lot of things going on right now - energy legislation in Congress, legal motions and advisory committees on the state level - please, help us make a better future happen by getting involved. You can do so by clicking a link on this site, or by sending an email to asnow@iowaglobalwarming.org.
Climate Change Advisory Council meets again
-- Andrew Snow -- 09/04/2008
Today's meeting of the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council marks the next-to-last time they will meet before they present their final recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. I've seen a number of the written comments our supporters submitted - they're very good, and in some cases strikingly knowledgeable and very specific about the various proposals. I attended the meeting this morning, and provided my own comments to the Council, asking that they choose bold recommendations for action. Here's the text from my comments:
First, I want to thank the members of this Council, as well as all of the subcommittee members, for doing what is a very difficult though hopefully not thankless job – creating and evaluating dozens of proposals on very detailed topics.
I’m not going to take a lot of time right now to discuss the specifics of the proposals, though I know some of the people we’ve asked to provide written comment have done so. I’m actually here to ask you to be bold, but realistic, and use your common sense when evaluating your final recommendations later this year. For example, though I haven’t seen full quantifications for implementing passenger rail to Chicago and across the state, common sense will tell you that it would reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled and greenhouse gases significantly, as well as provide immense additional benefits to the state. In contrast, common sense also tells me that a website and public education campaign about a different kind of tires is unlikely to provide the same benefits, regardless of what the quantifications may indicate.
What this Council represents to me is a tremendous opportunity, and I ask that you be prepared to act boldly. Half measures won’t solve our climate problem any more than they will reinvigorate our state economy or help replace our aging workforce. We’re not going to dig, drill or burn our way to positive solutions, and voluntary measures are not going to get us there either. As I’m sure you’re all painfully aware now, there are an almost dizzying array of new technologies available to us – and we must find ways to harness that innovation to secure the future of our families and our state.
This is an opportunity – but it is one with a small window for us to capitalize on. Other states have developed a clear vision of the future and are moving in the right direction. We must act in a bold, firm manner to establish and maintain Iowa’s position as the undisputed leaders in these fields of the future. It is only with a bold vision that we can hope to accomplish this task, and so I ask you – please, be bold and give the Governor and Legislature the strongest possible recommendations. Our state’s future, and our way of life, depends upon your common sense and strong leadership.
Thank you for your time.
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
Adventures of a Snowman at Ames Straw Poll
-- Snowman -- 08/28/2007
The day of the Ames Straw Poll was a particularly hot Saturday, especially if you're a Snowman walking around the campus of Iowa State University, trying to bring up the issue of Global Warming to the thousands of Republican activists there to vote for a candidate.
We started out walking to the tent of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Huckabee was wrapping up his welcome speech to supporters, reporters, and on-lookers. After he wrapped up his speech, Huckabee headed over to the stage set up outside of his tent to play a few songs with his band, Capitol Offense. In this Snowman's point of view, they were really good, so I sauntered over to dance my Snowman heart out to the music. A man in a Huckabee t-shirt came up and stood in front of me, apparently he was afraid that I was going to try to get up on stage with the band. After a few minutes of dancing to the music, the Governor's wife came up and joined in my dancing. She, then handed her camera to the "bouncer" and had him take our picture. What can I say, no one can resist the Snowman's charms.
After Huckabee, we walked over to the Rep. Ron Paul tent and enjoyed the shade, while he talked with a few of our volunteers about his ideas on Global Warming. Click here to see video of this.
After I stopped melting, we decided to brave the sun again and head over to Rep. Tom Tancredo's tent. I heard they also had a band on and felt that it was time to get my groove back on. We made our point there as long as we could and then went for a short walk to meet some more people.
Quite a few folks wanted to have their pictures taken with me and reporters and cameramen wanted to take footage and chat. Most people seemed to agree that global warming was definitely an important issue that should be addressed, especially in the presence of an ever-melting Snowman.
As I passed the tent for Sen. Sam Brownback, one of his volunteers took pity on me in the sun and invited me to come inside their tent - the only one with air conditioning. The respite from the heat was welcome, but short-lived. I explained my cause and in a short while, I was off to the next candidate's tent.
I walked over to the Gov. Mitt Romney tent, the Nada's were playing, and clearly this Snowman cannot resist the music. I stayed a short while and then moved on..
At this point, I decided to call it a day, before I melted to a puddle at the doors of the Hilton Coliseum. In the end, I was encouraged by the response I got from the crowd. The numbers of people who acknowledged Global Warming as a threat that needs to be addressed immediately was very encouraging. In fact, we even signed up a few Republican activists to volunteer for our cause. All in all, it was a good event, and I'm looking forward to my next appearance, at the Democratic Debate in Des Moines, next week. Wish me luck, and I'll keep you posted.
Volunteer attends Richardson & Obama events
-- Steve -- 08/23/2007
One of our great volunteers, Elizabeth Anderson, attended two candidate events recently in which global warming and energy were discussed. Here's her summary of Bill Richardson's appearence in Des Moines last Friday:
Dealing with the environment and global warming was one of the five principle pillars of Richardson's foreign policy approach. Richardson said he is for the Koyoto Treaty and supports making some modifications to it to make it tougher. Also, he said he would tackle the serious issue of what to do with China and India and their output of greenhouse gas emissions. Richardson is proposing to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040. He said he has reduced the emissions in his home state of New Mexico.
Click here to see video of this event.
The other event that Elizabeth attended was with Barack Obama last Saturday in Waverly. Here's her summary of that event:
Barack Obama visited Waverly Light & Power, which is trying some innovative things with energy generation. Obama talked about achieving energy independence and tackling global climate change. He is also for energy conservation. When asked whether he would support a ban on new coal fired power plants, he was unsure how to answer the question and said he needed more time to study the impact of such a moratorium. It will be interesting to see what he says on this issue in the future.
Click here to see video of this event.
Iowa Democratic Debate Recap
-- Mike -- 08/20/2007
While the media questioners at yesterday's Democratic debate in Iowa did not ask any of the candidates about global warming or energy, several of the candidates brought up the issue on their own, including Senator Clinton and Governor Richardson. Senator Obama discussed the issue at greater length in response to a question about telling the "whole truth" about a "major" issue.
OBAMA: I think there are a number of issues where there are going to be some choices we've got to make and some sacrifices involved. I'll give you one specific example, and that's on energy. All of us on this stage have talked about global warming and how it is a moral imperative for us to do something about this, to ensure that we're passing on a livable planet to our children and our grandchildren. There will be some costs involved. It's not -- we can't do it on the cheap. There are some things that we can do to conserve energy, but all of those steps are going to require a little bit of hardship and a little bit of pinching, and that's something that we don't have enough of a discussion about. I've tried to. I went to Detroit, and in front of a bunch of auto makers, I said we've got to raise fuel efficiency standards on cars. And the silence was deafening in the room. But those are the kinds of choices, I think, that the next president is going to have to advance and have an honest conversation with the American people about.
Click here to watch video of this response.
Additionally, least you think the lack of a substantive discussion during the debate on energy went unnoticed by the candidates, Governor Richardson pointed it out during a post-debate interview with the local NBC affiliate.
RICHARDSON: I was hoping to talk about energy, you know I'm a former secretary of energy, and in my judgment we need to become energy independent, and renewable fuels and ethanol, and renewable technology's the key. I wish I'd even been asked a question on energy. Interestingly, there are no questions on energy...
Giuliani: America needs to become energy independent
-- Mike -- 07/26/2007
Rudy Giuliani had an op/ed titled "Leading America Toward Energy Independence" published today on the political website RealClearPolitics.com. The former mayor's energy policy is part of his recently announced "12 Commitments to America."
Giuliani says that achieving energy independence "will require expanding our reliance on a much more diverse range of energy sources that America can control," including ethanol and other bio-fuels, nuclear power, coal, solar power, wind power and hydro-power. On coal, specifically, Giuliani writes:
"America has more coal than Saudi Arabia has oil. If we can compete and make cost effective the process of carbon sequestration, clean coal, we can rely on coal to a much larger extent. And we can rely on it without harming the environment."
Click here to read the entire piece.
Democrats Debate Global Warming, Energy Policy
-- Mike -- 07/24/2007
At last night's CNN/YouTube debate - the first ever debate in which citizens from around the country could pose questions to the candidates via web videos - several questions related to global warming and energy were asked. And the candidates engaged in a serious discussion about how to address the issue.
Click here to read a transcript of the global warming discussion.
Edwards links jobs, energy
-- Kevin -- 07/19/2007
Speaking in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on July 12, John Edwards discussed the potential for creating rural jobs while solving global warming. Here's how the Des Moines Register reported it the next day:
"Edwards predicted enormous economic potential for rural areas if America focuses on new energy sources, such as wind and biofuels. He said at least 1 million new jobs will be created by such changes, which must be made to head off global warming. Small towns should be able to share in those jobs, he said."
