Comments Amy Gregory has made

Agreed

I'm with amazingdrx on this one. While praying might be our best hope for ending this particular drought, I'd like to make a more pragmatic call on the Federal Gov't to step up to the plate on climate change. You can join with me by sending Congress a letter here that demands that your reps get serious about global warming now.

As recommended above, wind power development could be a great move for many of the places now devastated by this drought (and it would, by reducing global warming emissions, likely lessen the severety and frequency of future droughts).

It really is a sad day when all of these terrible things are happening and all our leaders can offer is a prayer.

Amy Gregory GreenpeaceUSA

Incentives, yes

This is a good first step. Reshaping our energy policy can seem like a daunting task but one of the first steps is changing what government encourages.

We all know about the huge tax breaks given to the oil industry. At no time has this practice been more glaringly unjust. Please take a moment and click on this link to send your representative a message saying we need a new energy plan NOW. It's time we supported clean, renewable energy and more fuel efficient cars instead of supporting the bloated wallets of ExxonMobil and BP.

Amy Gregory GreenpeaceUSA

Troubling Signs, learn more and check yourself

This is a troubling report, thanks for pointing it out. I have to admit, though it is troubling, it is not entirely surprising.

We have been working on this issue for years and have  set up the National Hair Sampling Project for Mercury Exposure to document the toxin's penetration into our society.

We encourage everyone to use the project not only to contribute to greater scientific knowledge on the matter, but also to help protect themselves.

Interim results have proven worrysome, much like the bird study sited here, showing elevated levels in large portions of the population. The Bush administration needs to open its eyes to the health threats posed by mercury and enact real legislation that would cut emissions from coal-burning power plants and other prominent sources.

Amy Gregory GreenpeaceUSA

Funny

er if it weren't true. They are among US and they are in DC. As we all know, Bush and his administration are some of the biggest proponents for the Nuclear industry, one that has proven to be quite expensive and potentially disastrous.

The worst is how it is now tied in with energy independence, which seems to take front seat for them  over fighting global warming.

Amy Gregory GreenpeaceUSA

One addition to the debate

I just wanted to add something that I think is being overlooked in this debate: small businesses.

Surely, large corporations hold tremendous sway, both politically and both within economy/industry simply due to their size, however to ignore the role small businesses play is a mistake. We all have our corner stores, our favorite resraurants, our dry cleaners, etc., that are not part of huge corporations and that play a role in our lives. What is more, it is on this small scale that we are more likely to see decisions made based not only on profit, but on an individual's conscience as well (no share holders to report to).

On this note, we should look to coalitions and groups out there for eco-friendly businesses to join, such as the recently launched Forest Friendly 500 (forestfriendly500.org, of the Kleercut campaign against Kimberly-Clark).

Groups such as these look to pool smaller actors and create a larger voice that can influence the big players (Kimberly-Clark in this case).

Amy Gregory GreenpeaceUSA

Dirty Politics and Cape Wind

I agree with amazingdrx that this is a political issue. Special interests of Ted Kennedy and a handful of oil and mining lobbies have pushed through this amendment in backroom deals. We have to keep it out of the final bill, so send your senators a message now telling them to reject this sneak attack on energy reform. They're on break now, but we expect them to come back to a mountian of messages, so send yours now.

The Cape Wind project has gone through a thorough review by 17 federal and state agencies, why should the special interests of a few prevent a huge leap forward for renewable energy in the U.S.?

The president himself has acknowledged the need to expand renewable energy. It's time Congress steps up to the plate and ensures this plan isn't killed by a backroom deal.

Clarence GreenpeaceUSA

Oceans and extinction

As noted by the UN report, much of the extinction is happening in the seas. As health-conscious Americans continue to look to fish as part of their diet, and as our population reaches 300 million and more, a new and radical fisheries policy is critical not just for ocean habitat, but for anyone who hopes to continue eating fish as we do now. Legislation on fishery management is coming up and Greenpeace is working with Representatives to make it comprehensive and attentive of ecosystem management rather than industry pocketbook management. Click here to take action and write to your Rep.: http://members.greenpeace.org/action/start.php?action_id=88

Clarence GreenpeaceUSA

Some articles on Cape Wind and Wind energy

Clearly, ericr and I disagree on Cape Wind.
As a final note, I wanted to share these links with any of you who are interested. They are from a range of sites:
Greenpeace
Clean Power Now
Cape Wind
GE
Union of Concerned ScientistsOn Climate change is pushing this easygoing enviro over the edge posted 3 years, 8 months ago 57 Responses

More in response to ericr "Per Person"

You don't have all the facts right. The statistic detailing 75% of the Cape's energy is an average. This number accounts for the fact that the wind farm will not be running at peak capacity all of the time.  The correct energy output for the wind farm is 454 MW at peak energy output (when all wind turbines are turning at peak capacity).  The average energy output of the wind farm will be 170 MW.  It is 170 MW that is 75% of the Cape and Islands energy needs.  Cape Wind will provide clean, renewable energy capable of replacing each year: 113 million gallons of oil or 570,000 tons of coal, or 10 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Cape Wind will offset dirty fossil fuel sources with clean reliable energy.

In order to reap the tremendous benefits of utility-scale renewable energy, the proposed project must be economically viable. This wind farm will be built entirely with private funds, since no government funds are available for construction. The existing government incentives that do exist will be paid to the company only as energy is produced.

Cape Wind will usher in a new era of clean energy to the United States by leading the offshore wind industry.  Already wind farms have been proposed in other places like New York and Texas.  Offshore wind is critically important, especially in the Northeast region, to ensure the success of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) which is a cooperative effort by northeastern states to reduce carbon dioxide - the main greenhouse gas that causes global warming.
On Climate change is pushing this easygoing enviro over the edge posted 3 years, 8 months ago 57 Responses

Cutting Subsidies

While current subsidies largely benefit big, corporate farms, it is important to remember that if all subsidies were cut, it would most likely accelerate corporate take-overs much in the same way big business eats everything in a laisse-faire system.

Any subsidies must be organized so that they: a) do not put undue strain on developing economies and b) maintain a way of life (be it family farms, organic farms) that society deems beneficial/good rather than purely facilitate economic growth.

Clarence GreenpeaceUSA

Wind Power

While wind power is certainly not a cure-all for our climate/energy problems, I think one need only look at previous succesful projects to show wind's effectiveness at providing cheap, reliable, clean energy.On RFK Jr. and other prominent enviros face off over Cape Cod wind farm posted 3 years, 8 months ago 57 Responses

Saving Cape Wind in Congress: You Can Help

I like the robust debate displayed here in this comment section. With all the questions raised, I agree with Bill that Global Warming trumps other concerns, and point out as he does that some of these are moot, like the danger to shipping or commercial fishers, due to the shallow waters.

The fate of Cape Wind lies in the hands of Congressional committees. Rep. Don Young (R-AK) has tried to insert an amendment to a Coast Goard bill that would kill Cape Wind. Greenpeace joined with other orgs in lobbying against the amendment and due to big public pressure, the vote was postponed. You should still send the Congressmen a message telling them to reject Young's amendment and keep Cape Wind (and other future projects) alive.

Join with tens of thousands of others, you're email will make a difference.On Climate change is pushing this easygoing enviro over the edge posted 3 years, 8 months ago 57 Responses