-- By William Becker, Executive Director at the Presidential Climate Action Project.

On Capitol Hill, the ship of state is so bereft of rudder and sail that the crew is jumping overboard. The latest to abandon ship is Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, who minced no words about the dysfunctional Congress he is choosing to leave.

From 1Sky Michigan Climate Precinct Captain Mark Miller. You can read more from Mark on his blog.

During last week's President' Day Actions, a number of 1Sky coordinators, organizers, and volunteers met up with senators while they were back home in their states. The goal was to deliver our message loud and clear: Americans (and voters!) want strong federal legislation to curb carbon emission and transition to a clean renewable energy future now -- and we oppose Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) efforts to gut the Clean Air Act!

Senator Carl Levin spoke last Monday morning, President's Day, at the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce's Legislative Connection event. I went primarily to ask him about his support for climate and energy legislation. I had written to him last year about this issue, and his written reply... well, I touch on that in my question to him.

As the Senator came in, I shook his hand, and reminded him that I had sat next to him one night at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. So, when we came to question time, he called on me first. (The video does not capture my question or the first few words of Sen. Levin's answer.)

From guest blogger Kristen Sheeran, director of Economics for Equity and the Environment Network (E3), a nationwide network of more than 150 economists, developing new arguments for environmental protection with a social justice focus.

There is no argument that job creation should be the top priority of the Obama administration. Many economists believe that due to the global downturn, the U.S. will experience high rates of unemployment for a number of years to come. But there is no evidence that solving the climate crisis will compromise job creation.

By 1Sky Colorado Organizer Micah Parkin.

Across the nation this week, 1Sky volunteers and organizers are attending events where members of our congressional delegations and people close to them will be to deliver our message loud and clear: Americans (and voters!) want bold federal legislation to curb carbon emission and transition to a clean renewable energy future now -- and we oppose Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) efforts to gut the Clean Air Act!

-- By William Becker, Executive Director at the Presidential Climate Action Project.

If you suddenly came face to face with President Barack Obama, what would you say?

Gillian Caldwell found herself in that position last week when she encountered the President on a rope-line. Caldwell -- the leader of the climate action group 1Sky -- decided to debate the President over his position on coal.

By Nolan Stokes, a participant of the Climate Pilots program. Follow the progress of all climate pilots on their blog. See last week's blog for an introduction to Climate Pilots -- Luis

We had the insulation guys here the other day for seven hours pumping blown cellulose (basically recycled, shredded, and treated newspaper) into the ceiling between the two floors of our house. They focused on the perimeter and must have drilled 100 holes in the ceiling through which they pumped the insulation. Already I can feel the difference. The floors used to be freezing cold, but NOT ANY MORE!

By Mike Bellamente, an independent contributor to the Portsmouth Herald in Portmsouth, New Hampshire. -- Luis

I’ve just returned from a trip to Florida where, during dinner one night, I overheard a conversation about climate change at the next table. I’ll spare you the details on the entire exchange, in favor of one comment that struck me in particular: “Those lefty a**holes and their fake science are going to bring down the American economy with this whole global warming business.”

-- By William Becker, Executive Director at the Presidential Climate Action Project.

The second year of the Obama Era is young, but we may be seeing the emergence of Obama 2.0 -- a president willing to do battle against the dark forces of stasis and negativity. Let’s hope so.

By Nolan Stokes, a participant of the Climate Pilots program. Follow the progress of all climate pilots on their blog. -- Luis

-- By New York City Climate Precinct Captain Emily A. Fano.

I’m tired of fat cat bureaucrats and politicians gambling away our survival. Aren’t you? Copenhagen was a let-down, despite an impressive and coordinated effort by the global climate action movement. The deals hammered out in the UN talks would let CO2 increase well above the 350 ppm -- the magic number to avoid catastrophe. Not good.