Climate blogs exposed: Clean coal carolers, green inaugural galls & a gift-free holiday--12/12

Clean, cuddly coal? I don't think so, but the coal industry continues to try and create the allusion. Although the 'Clean Coal Carolers' are no longer on the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity's (ACCCE) website, ThinkProgress picked up on the story early noting:

It is not clear if ACCCE will expand its new holiday campaign beyond their website, but in the past ACCCE has spread its falsehoods on TV, radio, and in print, often spending millions. In early 2008, ACCCE’s clean coal campaign reportedly had $50 million to spend on pro-coal, anti-climate initiatives.

The Wall Street Journal recently credited ACCCE’s misleading campaign with convincing politicians, the media and the public that “clean coal” is a cure-all for global warming pollution from coal-fired power plants. Even President-elect Obama has taken the bait.

In addition to 'Clean Coal Night' and 'Deck the Halls (with Clean Coal)' the ACCCE also animated the ever popular 'Frosty the Coalman.' Listen to the clip here:

Remember when I commented on Bush's 11th hour policy changes regarding the dumping of the mining waste from mountaintop removal into our streams? Well, this week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr testified to the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and It's Getting Hot in Here reports:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr gives the most significant and compelling testimony on mountaintop removal mining I have ever seen, and I hope you will take 10 minutes to watch him describe in his own words - and the words of his late father - exactly what is happening to the Appalachian Mountains.

Check out his testimony on video:

Al Gore continues to help publicize the severity of global warming around the world. In Poznan, Poland this week, Gore embraced the bold number all climate activists know and keep close to their hearts--350 parts per million of CO2--the number NASA-scientist James Hansen set as the world goal last year to avoid cataclysmic climate change. Climate Progress reports:

Al Gore gave the international climate talks in Poznan a new set of marching orders this afternoon, declaring that old targets for fighting global warming had been made obsolete by new science and that 350 parts per million co2 was the new standard for which the world must aim.

“Even a goal of 450 parts per million, which seems so difficult today, is inadequate,” said Gore, adding we “need to toughen that goal to 350 parts per million.”

Al Gore continues to march to his own beat as news released this week of his green-themed inaugural ball on January 19. We can only hope that green-themed parties are only the beginning of a long chain of environmental/climate activism that is coming to DC. EnviroWonk reports:

'The Green Ball: Inauguration of a New Green Economy' will take place at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery the night before Obama takes office. According to a draft invitation obtained by the Times, Gore and event organizers hope to "bring together a diverse coalition of environmentally-forward organizations, entrepreneurs, scientists and advocates, celebrating a commitment to growing the New Green Economy."

Gore's party won't be the only enviro ball in town. Two days before Al's shindig, Event Emissary, which bills itself as Washington's first green event planning company will host The Green Ball at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in downtown D.C. For the hefty price of $500 per ticket, revelers can enjoy organic food and beverages under energy efficient lighting, knowing that all flowers and leftover food will be composted. Party goers are encouraged to wear green accessories with their formal wear.

Are the holidays stressful for you? I know the feeling. But I have come across a little secret that will help you green the holiday season with cheer, not envy! In fact, my advice comes in two simple words: No Presents! Check out No Impact Man's compelling post about gift giving this holiday season:

If Christmas is about presents, then in 2007, my little family and I had no Christmas. I mean, we had the caroling and the uncle playing the piano and the cousins running around with my three-year-old, Isabella, and the grandfather coaxing her to sit on his lap and the good food. We had, in other words, an amazingly good time.

Without presents, you see, we didn’t have the sensation that I, at least, normally associated with Christmas—the stress. And without stress or presents, it’s not Christmas, right? But of course it was. It was the best of Christmas, the part that, research shows, makes people happiest.

So have any of you started your holiday shopping yet? Have you sent your family and friends cards yet? Are you looking for that perfect gift--maybe a green gift? If No Impact Man's post didn't make you pause and think about present maybe this will...STOP...and check out the new holiday cards on the 1Sky site! This holiday season give your friends and family a free e-card supporting bold climate action!

Have a great weekend and if you come across any interesting climate news that we forgot, post below in the comments section!