Al's Journal

Get Angry - Take Action

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:12:56 -0500

John Kerry recently told climate bill supporters: "I want you to go out there and start knocking on doors and telling people this has to happen," Kerry said during a conference hosted by labor, farming, military veteran and environmental groups. "You know if the Tea Party folks can go out there and get angry because they think their taxes are too high, for God's sake, a lot of citizens ought to get angry about the fact that they're being killed and our planet is being injured by what's happening on a daily basis by the way we provide our power and our fuel and the old practices we have. That's something worth getting angry about." We can’t only get angry – we need to let the Senate know that inaction is simply not an option. A great way to spread that message is by adding your voice to the Repower Will by clicking here.

Miliband Fights Back

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:56:51 -0500

Ed Miliband, the U.K. Climate Secretary, had some tough words for climate crisis deniers: "Miliband declared a "battle" against the "siren voices" who denied global warming was real or caused by humans, or that there was a need to cut carbon emissions to tackle it." "It's right that there's rigour applied to all the reports about climate change, but I think it would be wrong that when a mistake is made it's somehow used to undermine the overwhelming picture that's there," he said. "We know there's a physical effect of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leading to higher temperatures, that's a question of physics; we know CO2 concentrations are at their highest for 6,000 years; we know there are observed increases in temperatures; and we know there are observed effects that point to the existence of human-made climate change. That's what the vast majority of scientists tell us." Deniers have been grasping at straws, attempting to make the case that there is no climate crisis. But the evidence is simply too overwhelming. As we learned a few weeks ago, 2000-2009 was the warmest decade on record. The fact is, the media has been complicit in these efforts, often giving equal voice to those attempting to distort the truth for political or financial gain. Ed Miliband is exactly right to take them head-on.

China in the Lead?

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:55:14 -0500

This is why we need the Senate to pass a clean energy, climate and green jobs bill now: "China vaulted past competitors in Denmark, Germany, Spain and the United States last year to become the world's largest maker of wind turbines, and is poised to expand even further this year." "China has also leapfrogged the West in the last two years to emerge as the world's largest manufacturer of solar panels. And the country is pushing equally hard to build nuclear reactors and the most efficient types of coal power plants." "These efforts to dominate renewable energy technologies raise the prospect that the West may someday trade its dependence on oil from the Mideast for a reliance on solar panels, wind turbines and other gear manufactured in China."

Want to See the Effects of Climate Change?

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:00:34 -0500

Recently the Huffington Post published a photo feature titled “Seeing the Effects of Climate Change." “Sometimes as we go about our daily lives, climate change can seem abstract, and not something we think we are experiencing on a daily basis. However, our planet is rapidly being altered and the physical signs of this shift can't be ignored. These photos reveal how the world has already been impacted and what kind of changes we can expect in the future if we continue with our carbon-intense ways.” The post contains photos of coastal erosion, the bleaching of coral reefs, melting glaciers and other catastrophes occurring around the globe. I urge you to send this to anyone who doubts that even minor changes in temperature have a huge effect on our planet.

Read This Editorial

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:58:29 -0500

The New York Times hit the nail on the head, writing: "Washington has been forecasting the likely death of a climate bill with renewed certainty since Massachusetts elected a Republican senator who promised to block pretty much anything Mr. Obama wants. But even before then we were hearing two reasons why a bill could not pass: The Senate won’t have any strength left when it finishes with health care, and the nation cannot afford a bill that implies an increase in energy prices." "The first reason is defeatist, the second greatly exaggerated. The climate change bills pending in the Senate would not begin to bite for several years, when the recession should be over. The cost to households, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would be small. A good program would create more jobs than it cost." "The list of reasons to pass a climate bill, on the other hand, is long and persuasive."

The Right Political Move

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:09:25 -0500

Here are some amazing results from the Allstate/National Journal/Heartland Monitor poll: Even more amazing is how Cap-and-Trade was described: "A cap and trade system to address climate change by allowing government to set limits on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted nationally." As Climate Progress pointed out: “That’s right, people were asked about what is widely considered to be a straight political loser — “cap and trade to address climate change” — with no mention of the many benefits of the bill that typically poll far better — increasing energy independence, generating clean energy jobs, and reducing pollution.” They go on to note: "Poll after poll makes clear this bill is a winning political issue:" "1. Swing state poll finds 60% “would be more likely to vote for their senator if he or she supported the bill” and Independents support the bill 2-to-1 (9/09)" "2. New CNN poll finds “nearly six in 10 independents” support cap-and-trade (10/09)" "3. Voters in Ohio, Michigan and Missouri overwhelmingly support action on clean energy and global warming (11/09)" "4. Overwhelming US Public Support for Global Warming Action (12/09)" "5. Public Opinion Stunner: WashPost-ABC Poll Finds Strong Support for Global Warming Reductions Despite Relentless Big Oil and Anti-Science Attacks (12/09)" Solving the climate crisis is not only the right thing to do legislatively, it is also the right thing to do politically.

It's Official: 2000s Were the Hottest Decade on Record

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:34:20 -0500

Over the past few weeks, climate deniers have tried to promote a number of pseudo-scandals as evidence that the Earth is not warming. However, once again their assertions are contradicted by the facts: “NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) released its final report on 2009 surface temperatures Thursday, concluding:” “2009 was tied for the second warmest year in the modern record, a new NASA analysis of global surface temperature shows. The analysis, conducted by the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York City, also shows that in the Southern Hemisphere, 2009 was the warmest year since modern records began in 1880….” “January 2000 to December 2009 was the warmest decade on record. Throughout the last three decades, the GISS surface temperature record shows an upward trend of about 0.2°C (0.36°F) per decade.” There is no doubt the planet is warming. Those trying to make the case that the climate crisis is not happening simply do not have the facts on their side.

Innovation and Insulation

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:05:42 -0500

Last week at the Huffington Post, Bill Gates asked the following question: “Should society spend a lot of time trying to insulate houses and telling people to turn off lights or should it spend time on accelerating innovation?” The fact is we need to do both. Innovation is essential, and Gates is absolutely correct when he writes: “To achieve the kinds of innovations that will be required I think a distributed system of R&D with economic rewards for innovators and strong government encouragement is the key. There just isn't enough work going on today to get us to where we need to go.” We need massive investment, by both the private sector and the government, in green energy technology. This is one of the reasons it’s so important that the Senate act immediately to pass the clean energy and green jobs bill. And I’ve long said, we need to change laws, not just light bulbs. However, with the climate crisis unfolding at a rapid pace, we cannot sacrifice immediate and easily achievable gains in energy efficiency. Right now we need to put our energy behind every possible solution to this crisis. There is no reason we can’t walk and chew gum at the same time if the will exists.

"Murkowski's Mischief"

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:03:12 -0500

The New York Times editorial page last week wrote: “Senator Lisa Murkowski’s home state of Alaska is ever so slowly melting away, courtesy of a warming planet. Yet few elected officials seem more determined than she to throw sand in the Obama administration’s efforts to do something about climate change.” “As part of an agreement that allowed the Senate to get out of town before Christmas, Democratic leaders gave Ms. Murkowski and several other Republicans the chance to offer amendments to a must-pass bill lifting the debt ceiling. Voting on that bill begins this week. Although she has not showed her hand, Ms. Murkowski has been considering various proposals related to climate change — all mischievous.” We need to stop Lisa Murkowski’s attempt to gut the Clean Air Act cold in its tracks. That is why, if you haven’t already, I urge you to write your Senator today.

A Great Debate

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:26:18 -0500

Robert Kennedy Jr. recently debated Massey Energy CEO and climate crisis denier Don Blankenship. There were several notable moments during the event. The first one happened when Kennedy addressed the scientific consensus behind the climate crisis: “I have a choice of believing the 98 percent or the 2 percent,” Kennedy said. “If you believe my 98 percent and we go ahead and try to reduce our carbon, we’ve gotten rid of the dirty fuel, we’ve made ourselves energy independent, improved our national security, improved our prosperity and quality of life and health for American citizens. If we believe Mr. Blankenship and his 2 percent, and they’re wrong, the whole of civilization is destroyed.” The second noteworthy exchange occurred on the issue of mountaintop-removal mining. Kennedy directly asked Blankenship: “My question to you, and I know you’re an honest person, I want to ask you this question: Is it possible to do mountaintop removal mining without violating the law?” Blankenship responded: “I doubt it’s possible without having a single violation at a single time,”

A Green Label

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:11:52 -0500

According to Reuters: "Some of the biggest names in technology and retailing are aiming to create what they say is a better way to identify the "greenest" purchases in consumer electronics." "The effort is being led by the industry-backed Sustainability Consortium, which plans to develop standardized criteria that will be used to label devices, starting with computers and monitors." "The initiative includes retail giants Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Best Buy Co, and technology leaders Hewlett-Packard Co, Dell Inc, Intel Corp and Toshiba Corp." If accurate, these labels could go a long way towards providing consumers with vital information about how the products they buy affect the planet.

Great Job, Repower America Members!

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:13:10 -0500

Repower America members have sent more than 7,000 letters to the editor opposing Lisa Murkowski’s attempt to gut the Clean Air Act. Here are some excerpts from publish letters: Tim Peterson from Billings Montana writes in the Billings Gazette: “I want my senators, Max Baucus and John Tester, to know that I will be watching how they vote on Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s amendment attacking the Clean Air Act [...] A vote for this Dirty Air Act is a vote for backroom deals and polluters.” Lonny Peet from Madison, Wisconsin writes in The Cap Times: “Instead of looking for ways to delay action, our senators should be working to pass clean energy and climate legislation that demonstrates true American leadership, creates jobs for our economy, makes our nation more secure and reduces pollution.” Bob Paleck from Vernonia, Oregon writes in The Daily Astorian: “After attending U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden’s town hall meeting in Vernonia yesterday, I’m assured that he can be counted on to defeat this arrogant attempt to hamstring federal efforts to clean up the power industry.” You can write your own letter today by clicking here.

Clean Energy Creates Jobs

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:26:55 -0500

Last week while visiting Ohio President Obama, “watched formerly laid-off workers weld and shape components for wind turbines as they work toward a certificate or associate's degree.” Green energy job are a vital part of any recovery bill. That is why during his speech the President told the crowd: "I'm calling on Congress to pass a jobs bill to put more Americans to work building off our Recovery Act; put more Americans back to work rebuilding roads and railways; provide tax breaks to small businesses for hiring people; offer families incentives to make their homes more energy-efficient, saving them money while creating jobs." "'That's why we enacted initiatives that are beginning to give rise to a clean energy economy. That's part of what's going on in this community college. If we hadn't done anything with the Recovery Act, talk to the people who are building wind turbines and solar panels. They would have told you their industry was about to collapse because credit had completely frozen,' Obama added."

Green Pastors

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:47:50 -0500

The environmental and religious communities have long been allies in the fight to save our planet. This trend is increasing in the Northwest where churches are finding environmentalism can help fill their pews: "A study released in December by the Barna Group, which more typically studies trends among evangelicals, said that older, mainline churches faced many challenges but that their approach to environmental issues was among several areas that "position those churches well for attracting younger Americans."" ""We actually encourage it as a way to get people into the churches," said Lee Anne Beres, the executive director of Earth Ministry, a Seattle group founded in 1992 that has guided many area congregations through environmental upgrades over the past decade but has recently emphasized more direct political action for pastors and parishioners. "That is what people are interested in, and I don't see anything Machiavellian in that."" "It's fertile ground," Ms. Beres said, "and these are issues that people are predisposed to care about here in the Northwest."

"The Most Important Policy We Will Ever Pass."

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:36:40 -0500

Last week Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid gave an amazing speech at the Geothermal Energy Association’s Energy Finance Forum in New York. He told the crowd: "As you know, the House has passed a comprehensive clean energy and climate bill that does many of these things. I support addressing each of these issues in the Senate’s version, and I expect that to happen this spring. " "We have a lot on our plate. We have to finish reforming health insurance and Wall Street, and also must help bring Americans out of unemployment. But we are not so busy that we can’t find the time to address comprehensive energy and climate legislation." Senator Reid went on to hold Senator Murkowski accountable for her climate killing amendment: "For example, next week Senator Murkowski of Alaska may offer an amendment – to a completely unrelated bill, it should be noted – that would stop the EPA from protecting Americans from global warming pollution. It’s a highly political move, and a highly hazardous one to our health and the environment." "If this Senator succeeds, it could keep Congress from working constructively in a bipartisan manner to pass clean energy legislation this year. That’s why I will work hard to defeat this misguided amendment. I hope that doesn’t come to that." You can sign Repower America’s petition opposing the Murkowski amendment by clicking here. Senator Reid concluded by saying: "And though turning around the effects of years of recklessness might be the most difficult issue we tackle, taking on the clean-energy challenge also may be the most important policy we will ever pass. And we cannot afford to wait any longer to act. "