Archive

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry gave a speech on Wednesday at the National Press Club reminding us of the importance of the U.S.-China relationship to solving climate change:

Undeniably, all of us must do more to meet it. But China and America—the world’s largest emitter today and history’s largest cumulative emitter—have a special responsibility. 192 nations will gather this December in Copenhagen to hammer out a new global climate treaty. Two will set the tone and define what is possible. The crucial question is: can America and China forge a partnership capable of acting boldly enough to prevent a climate catastrophe? Science tells us, the answer had better be “yes.”

By 1Sky policy intern Rhiya Trivedi. -- Luis

Energy efficiency has long been touted as the core climate and energy solution. It has been called limitless, astoundingly cheap, and the answer to all of our climate woes -- and according to McKinsey’s most recent report, it is even more limitless, cheap and redeeming than we previously could have imagined.

With two more weeks left in this session, members of Congress are beginning to posture with respect to climate in preparation for a busy fall. The delay in healthcare will likely influence progress of the climate bill, and the opposition is ramping up their efforts on both agenda items. To win this fall, we need a sustained effort in August to ensure that Senators come back in September determined to work for the strongest possible climate bill. To kick things off, 1Sky is starting the recess with clean energy beach parties nationwide outside congressional offices on August 10th.

ALSO: 1Sky is hiring additional State Organizers in many new states from now through the end of 2009. Do you know someone who would be an excellent candidate in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, and South Dakota? Click here to learn more and please send this notice to your lists. (PDF).

Would your utility company ask you to take a specific position on a bill? Apparently they do in Colorado. Customers of the Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA), a member-owned electric distribution cooperative, are receiving an odd request -- to lobby their senators!

1Sky today announced that more than 18,000 faxes have poured into U.S. Senate offices from 1Sky members over the last two weeks in support of comprehensive action on energy legislation this year.

With the August congressional recess coming up and health care reform dominating the headlines, it may seem like climate and energy are off the national radar. In fact, there's plenty going on, both in and out of Capitol Hill.

By 1Sky summer intern Melissa Rice. -- Luis

On St. Patrick’s Day, I stood in the shadow of the Sears Tower and cheered as the plumber’s union dyed the Chicago River bright green. Meanwhile, spurred by the work of local activists, Mayor Daley’s ambitious plan to make Chicago America’s greenest city is well underway. Take a look at that picture. It doesn’t get any greener than that!

By 1Sky summer intern Pier LaFarge. -- Luis

Over the last eight years, state Governors and local mayors across the political spectrum have taken the lead on bold energy and climate solutions, moving their states and cities forward as action on the Federal level has fallen short. The Senates Environmental and Public Works Committee held a hearing last Tuesday on the potential for green jobs creation through strong, effective climate legislation, asking Governors and Mayors from several states to testify about their experience in paving the way for aggressive federal action.

From guest blogger Danny Berchenko, a Climate Precinct Captain in Hyattsville, Maryland.

I just had an amazing weekend working with 1Sky as a Climate Precinct Captain (CPC). With other CPCs from Maryland, I took to the streets to send a message to our Senator, Ben Cardin, an Environment and Public Works Committee member. We urged him to become a champion for a strong clean energy bill. After attending the 1Sky Leadership Summit, we learned from Cardin’s office that the Senator is receiving twice as many letters from the opposition as they are from us, so we decided to hit the streets and amass letters of our own.

As the August recess approaches, Senate Democrats continue to move the ball forward on climate legislation. Climate committees hold hearings in anticipation of the September 28 markup deadline, and opponents of climate action are working hard on the floor to push their own anti-climate agendas. Though none of the Senate committees are expected to have their pieces ready before the August recess, strong grassroots pressure will be key to ensuring a mandate for the strongest legislation possible come September.