Climate news this week: new House climate bill, Tuesday's debate, wind picks up--10/10

10/11/08 | Posted by: Luis

We already discussed this on the blog earlier this week, but it's worth mentioning here again since 1Sky is about federal solutions, after all. Two prominent House Democrats introduced climate legislation this week—and unfortunately, it falls short of what we'd call 'bold climate action':

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Energy and Air Quality subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher (D-Va.) released a 461-page bill that seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 80 percent over the next four decades. Environmental groups welcomed that target, but criticized the bill, which Dingell and Boucher refer to as a “discussion draft,” for delaying dramatic emissions reductions until after 2020.

The long-awaited legislation relies on a so-called cap-and-trade program to make those reductions. Companies would be able to buy or sell emissions allowances on an open market, depending on whether they met or exceeded emissions caps set by federal regulators.

. . . . .

Tony Kreindler, a spokesman for Environmental Defense Fund, said the initial emissions cuts called for in the bill are too gradual. Polluters would only have to reduce emissions by 6 percent over 2005 levels by 2020, a much less aggressive target than the climate change bill the Senate debated earlier this summer.

“The short-term targets really tell people out in the marketplace that they need to get going,” Kreindler said.

Frank O’Donnell, president of Clean Air Watch, noted in an e-mail to reporters that the discussion draft includes the option for federal preemption, something that the liberal elements of the Democratic Party and environmental groups have opposed. The bill could block California and other states from going forward with ongoing efforts to cut carbon dioxide from tailpipe emissions, which Dingell, a big backer of the auto industry, has opposed.

Climate Blogs Exposed: Turning a Red Economy Green--10/10

10/10/08 | Posted by: Andrew

Looking for something to do this weekend? Read Van Jones’ new book, The Green Collar Economy. Learn more about ways to improve the economy as well as the environment and help get Van’s book on the NY Times Bestseller list. Our friends at It's Getting Hot in Here report:

I wrote a new book to propose elegant solutions for our economic and environmental crises. The Green Collar Economy offers a green cure for the dilemmas we face and the financial messes we are in.

At this point, I am willing to concede that Wall Street and the big bankers need some propping up. But while we are at it, we should find a way to bail out the little people — and the planet, too.

So how about a green bailout — to help both? We already took an important step in that direction today. Perhaps the only thing in the whole bailout package that is inarguably good is the support for the U.S. clean energy sector.

A final note on Brita Climate Ride 2008

10/10/08 | Posted by: Luis

The following is a guest post from Geraldine Carter, Co-Founder and Director of Brita Climate Ride, a multi-day bicycle ride to raise money and awareness of climate change. Riders biked from New York to Washington DC from September 20-24. 1Sky was a partner in this effort: Board President Betsy Taylor and CCAN Director Mike Tidwell spoke at different stops, while Internet Director Michael Silberman participated in the ride. Click here for more details.

The Brita Climate Ride was charmed. With a send off by actor Matthew Modine and a spot on the CBS Early Show, riders were excited and inspired for their 300 mile journey to Washington. We set off from New York City with a stunning ferry ride, quickly leaving the Manhattan skyline behind us, with views of Lady Liberty to remind us of what it means to be an American. The first two hours of our trip were very unlike any other bike ride most of us have experienced (check out the short video below).

Let's put Nikos' ad on the air again on debate night!

10/10/08 | Posted by: Luis

You guys are unbelievable! Thanks to you, we raised enough money -- in less than 24 hours -- to air 1Sky's ad on the evening of last Tuesday's presidential debate. We had never asked for contributions before, so we had no idea if we'd even come close to our goal. You proved once again that when we work together to show our leaders we're ready for bold climate solutions, we can make a real difference.

Thanks to you, we were able to air the ad on CNN and MSNBC, in 14 battleground states. Now, let's do it again! Can you contribute to get our demand for solutions back on the air on the eve of next Wednesday's debate? Please make a donation today.

More video from Green Jobs Now: CCAN's Mike Tidwell

10/09/08 | Posted by: Luis

Chesapeake Climate Action Network Director Mike Tidwell speaks about the "energy from Heaven" during a Green Jobs Now event in Anacostia, Washington, DC: