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New iCAP Climate Bill Unveiled by Representative Markey

Jason — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:22:03 -0700

"I am here today because the chorus for change is deafening. The time for action is now," said Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) on Wednesday at a press conference, during which he unveiled the "Investing in Climate Action Policy Act," a.k.a. the iCAP bill.

In spite of mediocre legislation moving though the Senate, Markey's new iCAP bill brings a new sense of climate reality to the House. Here are some highlights (please excuse the jargon):

Cuts carbon 85% below 1990 levels by 2050
Auctions off 100% of our pollution permits by 2020
Sends direct cash-back from the auction to households earning less than $70,000/yr.
Invests in green workforce training
Places near-moratorium emissions standards on new coal plants

The small "i" on "iCAP" is there to emphasize the new, tech-savvy "cap and invest" paradigm. In his speech, Markey compared the bill to legislation in the mid-90's that spurred the technological revolution we're enjoying today. "We've got to take the thumb off the scale, and let new technology compete," he said.

For more details, you can check out Rep. Markey's website.

Makey's bill shows fantastic leadership, but it also shows how much work we have left to do to push our members of Congress to a place where the policy matches the science. For example, although the bill is informed by a year-and-a-half of hearings, it does not directly mirror the science in terms of its short term targets.

Markey's bill calls for reductions of 20% below 2005 levels by 2020, which is only 7% below 1990 levels by 2020. The science demands that developed countries like the U.S. cut carbon at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020.

In addition, we need to note that there is very little room for error when it comes to building more coal plants. We need nothing short of an uncompromising moratorium on any new plants planning on emitting global warming pollution. In the meantime, we need to pivot boldly away from fossil fuels, using technologies available now, to confront our energy realities. We need to be the political wind at the back of science-based change, and justice-based politics.

Let's keep this movement moving!

Join me this weekend in NYC at the World Science Festival!

Betsy — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:41:03 -0700

Looking for something fun to do this weekend in the Big Apple? Then join me at the World Science Festival, which is running from May 28th--June 1st at venues all over New York City. The Festival will feature more than 40 unique events that will shine a spotlight on science and explore the many ways in which scientific discovery and innovation are shaping modern life.

Specifically, I'd like to invite you to an event called Powering the Planet, where I will serve as a panelist. At this event, we'll discuss the latest research on alternative sources of energy, as well as the challenges and opportunities that climate change presents.

Here's some information on other climate change-related events, including Powering the Planet:

The Sixth Extinction (May 30, 8 PM, Columbia University Miller Theatre, $30, Students $12): This astonishing and moving picture of the planet today presents in no uncertain terms what's at stake in the fight to preserve our planet's rich biodiversity.
Future Cities (May 30, 7 PM, NYU - The Kimmel Center for University Life, $25, Students $12): Urban planners, architects, environmentalists and microbiologists lay out radical blueprints and innovative solutions for city dwellers of the not-too-distant future.
Greengenuity (May 31, 5:30 PM, NYU - Lecture Hall, $12): Join "Lazy Enviromentalist" author Josh Dorfman and pioneering green innovators in an exploration of the ever-expanding marketplace of products and ideas that can help individuals reduce their carbon footprint and battle climate change.
Powering the Planet (May 31, 7 PM, NYU - Kimmel Center for University Life, $25, Students $12): Is the worldwide quest to power the entire planet with clean, renewable energy realistic, and if so, how fast can such a dramatic transformation be achieved? Scientists at the vanguard of clean power research and leading policy thinkers headline this forum.

For more information about these and other events, visit the World Science Festival’s website:

I hope to see you there!

The Future of Coal is a Little Smoggy

Eli — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:34:27 -0700

While the capture and storage of emissions from coal-fired power plants is sometimes touted as a cost-effective way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, an article published in today's New York Times emphasizes the rising costs and growing uncertainty behind the technology. The front-page article highlights cancellations of high profile carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects like FutureGen, and notes that

““Only a handful of small projects survive, and the recent cancellations mean that most of this work has come to a halt, raising doubts that the technique can be ready any time in the next few decades.”

So what does it all mean?

We simply do not have decades to waste waiting for uncertain CCS technology. This is especially true when the promise of clean renewable energy is right around the corner. The wind is blowing and the sun is shining bright; why would we sit around waiting for a way to keep burning coal?

Instead of investing billions to retrofit a dirty, outdated technology like coal, we must invest in renewables to jumpstart the clean energy economy we need to halt climate change. Let's stop waiting for coal to clean up its act, and move forward into a renewable future.

The states are moving—so where are the feds?

Luis — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:21:32 -0700

One of the best features of the American system of government is that it provides for more than one way to skin the proverbial cat. If one level of government isn’t doing its job to solve a problem, others can step in and tackle it, however imperfectly. We’re seeing this pattern once again with climate change. Since the feds show no inclination to take the sort of bold action that so many organizations—like 1Sky, to pick one at random—are calling for, the states are filling the void.

Here’s a compelling illustration of just how far ahead of the feds the states have moved: The Sea Studios Foundation has produced a compelling 14-minute movie called “Ahead of the Curve,” which chronicles what the states are doing to tackle climate change. It’s definitely worth checking out.

The film features governors from various states, as well as many state government officials and scientists, discussing both the challenges and opportunities they have encountered while tackling climate change. A common theme throughout the film is the federal government’s lack of meaningful action so far to address the problem, forcing the states to take matters into their own hands. As of the end of 2007, 27 states had either completed, or were in the process of completing, comprehensive plans to address climate change. These states have also realized the enormous economic opportunities that moving towards a green economy can bring about.

Even so, the governors recognize that bold federal action is still badly needed. As Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland says, “If ever there was a challenge that called out for robust, strong federal response, this is it.”

Perhaps the best summation of the film’s message is the closing title:

“The people are ready. The states are moving. With a federal partner, we can seize the moment.”

But as they say, it takes two to tango—and as of now, the states are on the dance floor, alone, waiting for a partner.

No Impact Man needs your help!

Luis — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:07:57 -0700

Our friend Colin Beavan, aka No Impact Man, is working on an ambitious lobbying effort to get something done about climate change on Capitol Hill—but to get it done, he needs your help!

Colin will be meeting this Friday, May 30th, with Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)--who happens to be Colin’s congressman--to discuss climate change. Following up on his visit to Nadler's district office in March as part of a 1Sky call to action, Colin has some pretty specific goals in mind to discuss with the congressman:

More specifically, I intend to ask him to:

Introduce, as soon as possible, a non-binding resolution to the House of Representatives asserting that we need a climate change mitigation policy that accords not with what is politically possible but what is scientifically necessary--a goal of no more than 350 ppm of atmospheric carbon dioxide (read why here). Furthermore, this resolution should assert that the United States must collaborate with the international community to achieve an effective successor to the Kyoto Protocol that will achieve the 350 goal or better (depending on how the science progresses).

Pledge to support the 1sky.org policy platform that also includes creating five million green jobs (through, for example, weatherizing our buildings and manufacturing solar panels and windmills) and placing a moratorium on the building of new coal power plants.

Push for the introduction of new and the strengthening of currently pending climate change legislation to reflect the crucial 350 goal. This means, at the very least, aiming for an 80% reduction in climate emissions below 1990 levels by 2050 and a 25% reduction by 2020.

To get his point across to Mr. Nadler and Speaker Pelosi, No Impact Man has come up with an equally ambitious email campaign:

Now then, here's how I was hoping you could help. My dream is to present Representative Nadler and Speaker Pelosi with between 350 and 3,500 (10 x 350) emails of support for these policy objectives.

We have no doubt that Colin can accomplish all this, but to do it he needs your help: Visit the No Impact Man blog and follow Colin’s instructions for sending his letter to Mr. Nadler and Speaker Pelosi. There are even prizes involved--but you'll have to click on the link to find out what they are. Also, if you’re a blogger, it certainly wouldn’t hurt if you linked to Colin’s post and/or blogged about it.

We're glad to see that last March's call to action is starting to bear fruit in Colin’s efforts with Mr. Nadler. This isan excellent example of what can be accomplished when activists take the proverbial ball and run with it. All the best to you, Colin—you rock!

Climate Change and the Insurance Industry

Carolynn — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:03:42 -0700

The insurance industry is one of the largest in the world, with yearly revenues around $3 trillion. Put another way: If the insurance industry were a country, it would have the third largest economy in the world. This year, Ernst & Young’s report on business risk cited climate change as the greatest threat to the industry with “long-term, far-reaching” and significant negative impacts.

The industry has already begun to feel the effects of climate change. Hurricanes in the past four or five years have caused significant losses in the United States. Allstate has canceled and will not renew polices in any Gulf state after recent hurricanes erased 75 years of profits from selling homeowner’s insurance in the area. What’s more, they’ve also canceled policies in New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware because of their high risk of hurricanes, as well as in California. But who can blame them? The Union of Concerned Scientists says climate change will likely increase wildfire risk in California by 20% in 2050 and 50% by 2100.

However, there is another way! The insurance industry can take a proactive approach and have a powerful hand in turning this around. Changes and improvements in building codes, early warning, flood control, and electric loading have helped save the industry money in the past and similar actions could do the same now. Additionally, as a powerful and important industry (especially with friends on Capitol Hill) they could be extremely influential in helping change policy and ask for what science demands.

Whether or not insurance companies decide to do what’s best, Americans still have a unique and powerful opportunity in the next 5-10 years. Help us call on Congress and our fellow citizens to join 1Sky and our many partner organizations to decrease carbon emissions. We need your help to stop doing business as usual and create a new, vital and healthy energy economy. We have the resources—we just need the voices of millions to change how we use them. Join the 1Sky email list! Invite your friends, too! Respond on our blog--share your comments! Continue to take personal commitments towards a low-carbon lifestyle! Whatever you do--don’t give up!