Get Energy Smart! NOW!

Rising Tide, a group of Global Warming (and otherwise) activists,  created a fake “US-CAP” site (www.climateactionpartnership.org — since suspended) with a prominent posting of a

spoof press release declaring that the consortium’s members had committed to a 90 percent reduction in their greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition, the spoof release called for an immediate moratorium on the construction of all new coal-fired power plants.

Oh, if the word “spoof” were not relevant.  A business agreement to a 90-percent reduction and moves for an immediate moratoriaum on new coal-fired plants would be very welcome news.  Alas …

The fake press release was picked up by several media outlets, including the Dallas Morning News, UK Hemscott and several blogs before journalists realized that USCAP members would never agree to such progressive reductions in carbon emissions or a moratorium on coal plants. 

 Alas … [Read more →]

The New York Times has an interesting article this morning, Business Lobby Presses Agenda Before ’08 Vote.  In it is a discussion of how some business communities are striving to gain favorable Administration action in the coming year, to seek to set in stone favorable regulations prior to the inauguration of a Democratic President.  What is impressive, but not surprising, is how every example is, well, pointing to something that could be described as core immoral. Increase truck driver hours and cause more accidents?  Restricting rules on the Family Medical Leave Act and further tear at the fabric of family relations?  And, well, lots of paths for greater pollution including Mountain Top Removal.

As some might recall, over at Daily Kos and elsewhere, there was a blogosphere push to bring attention to Mountain Top Removal and a Congressional bill that would, basically, stop it in its tracks.  This article highlights how the coal industry is seeking fast Administration action that would open the tracks to an even more aggressive War against the Appalachians.

[Read more →]

Well, this is the season for giving (and, well, okay, getting).  Lots of donations to give, many on the energy/global warming front for me. But, someone passed me a gift idea/site that seems worth passing along.  Family Farm Defenders has a series of sustainable farm product packages that are affordable and give a taste of what the future should be.  And, well, if you wish to give more altruistically, they provide a cool package to help sustainable farming in East Timor.   

There is great news (sort of) coming out of Congress re a deal on an Energy Bill.  As per the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, there will be an Energy Bill put to the floor next week, a bill including many important measures:

“CAFE will serve as the cornerstone of the energy legislation that will be on the House floor next week.  We will achieve the major goal of increasing vehicle efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon in 2020, marking an historic advancement in our efforts in the Congress to address our energy security and laying strong groundwork for climate legislation next year.  We are confident that this final product will win the support of the environmental, labor and manufacturing communities.

“This landmark energy legislation will offer the automobile industry the certainty it needs, while offering flexibility to automakers and ensuring we keep American manufacturing jobs and continued domestic production of smaller vehicles.

“This comprehensive package will also include an increase in the Renewable Fuels Standard and a Renewable Electricity Standard, among other key provisions.” 

This is good news, but good news with an asterisk.

[Read more →]

In face of wonderful New York Times reporting on windpower, giving voice to NIMBYism, perhaps we should highlight better reporting on and discussion of windpower.  OnEarth, the Natural Resources Defense Council‘s magazine, had a wonderful article earlier this year, “Falling in Love with Wind: How a small farm town traded its dair cows for renewable energy”.  Wonderful not because it is without fault. Wonderful not because it is simply boosterism for wind power.  Wonderful not just because it is (very) well written (kudos Joseh D’Agnesse) with great photos.  No, wondeful because one can read the article, gain a feel for some strengths and weaknesses of windpower in terms of the lives of individuals and communities.

[Read more →]

The UN has issue Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World.

 Climate change is the defining human development challenge of the 21st Century. Failure to respond to that challenge will stall and then reverse international efforts to reduce poverty. The poorest countries and most vulnerable citizens will suffer the earliest and most damaging setbacks, even though they have contributed least to the problem. Looking to the future, no country—however wealthy or powerful—will be immune to the impact of global warming.

The question before us all is whether those wealthy will care enough to act in time.? Or, will Americans and other wealthy around the world continue bread and circuses, partying as the world crashes around us all?   Sadly, looking at the nightly television schedules and lavish Christmas light displays across Americans does not instill confidence.

[Read more →]

Australia’s incoming prime minister, Kevin Rudd, has named a singer from Midnight Oil, Peter Garrett, to be the new environmental minister.  For those for whom the band name doesn’t ring the bell, there can’t be many who won’t recognize the music.

The time has come
To say fair’s fair
To pay the rent
To pay our share

The time has come
A fact’s a fact
It belongs to them
Let’s give it baaaack

having a problem loading the video … see Celsias.

[Read more →]

Words leaking from behind closed doors about the Energy Bill are, well, to anyone who cares about an Energy Smart future simply foul language. According to the New York Times,

Reaching agreement on that timetable is likely to require Congressional leaders to drop provisions like a mandate that electric
utilities nationwide generate 15 percent of their power from renewable sources, including wind, solar and hydroelectric power. Utilities lobbied intensively against that requirement.

A House-passed measure to repeal $16 billion in tax breaks for the oil industry is also expected to be scrapped, aides said. President Bush threatened to veto the entire package if the oil and gas tax bill were included.

The utilities have spoken. 

Mr. 26% has spoken.

And, Congress has capitulated.

Well, it is time for someone to say: BRING IT ON, Mr Unpopular!

[Read more →]

In an extremely good (and highly recommended) article, Environmental News Service is reporting that there is some serious cash supporting getting environmental organizations in line behind so-called “Clean Coal” (what should be called: Less Dirty Coal) and massive investments to explore the potential for carbon sequestration.   Carbon sequestration is a long-shot, which puts off implications and investments and responsibilities and consequences ‘out into the future’, thus is loved by industry and politicians, but it shouldn’t be liked by anyone really concerned about reducing future risk.

[Read more →]

The Center for American Progress just released its 10-step plan to a Low-Carbon Economy.  Based on an early look at the summary pages, great stuff and, well, ho-hum, and well, missing elements.  But, looking forward to seeing the full report.

[Read more →]