|
| Headline |
Author |
Published |
Section |
Notable quotable
Hansen on fossil fuels |
Josh Dorner |
24 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| On tar sands, oil shale, the like, and global warming: 'If we use unconventional fossil fuels then there's no hope.' On the Bush-McCain plan for offshore oil drilling: 'It's just a crazy thing to do.' -- Dr. James Hansen, speaking at a National Press Club luncheon, which honored him and commemorated the 20th anniversary of the landmark 1988 Senate hearing on global warming. |
|
| Topics: climate, James Hansen, politics, quotables (all these topics) |
|
|
A modern-day Cassandra
Thoughts on the 20th anniversary of James Hansen's historic Congressional testimony |
Representative Ed Markey |
23 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| In Greek mythology, Cassandra was given the gift of prophecy -- of seeing the future. But she was also cursed to have no one believe her. For far too many years, Dr. James Hansen has been a modern-day Cassandra. Gifted with a scientific training that allowed him to see the forces at work that are warming the planet, for too many years he was also not believed by many who chose to ignore or deny the scientific reality of global warming. Today, it is my pleas ... |
|
| Topics: climate, climate change mitigation, climate science, Ed Markey, James Hansen, legislation, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Paul Revere rides again
Hansen marks 20th anniversary of landmark testimony to Congress with renewed call to action |
Kate Sheppard |
23 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| James Hansen. Photo: nasa.govIt was a sweltering June 23 in Washington, D.C., when climatologist James Hansen, head of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, appeared before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to testify about his certainty that the record high temperatures were the result of human activity. That was 20 years ago. 'The earth is warmer in 1988 than at any time in the history of instrumental measurements,' Hansen told s ... |
|
| Topics: climate, climate science, James Hansen, Muckraker, news, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Maximum impact
Will California's climate change regulations mandate maximum emission reductions? |
Ken Johnson |
23 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| [This post is follow-up to a David Roberts post from Jan. '08: "What does California's climate bill mandate?"] Sometime later this month, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will release its draft 'Scoping Plan' on implementation of the state's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), which requires that statewide GHG emissions be reduced to or below 1990-level emissions by 2020. AB 32 also requires that the regulations ... |
|
| Topics: California, climate, climate change impacts, greenhouse-gas emissions, legislation, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Climate change ideas for On Day One
A UN Dispatch-Grist collaboration |
Ideas for On Day One |
23 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| This week marks the twentieth anniversary of NASA Scientist James Hansen's groundbreaking Congressional testimony on global warming, an event that put climate change squarely on the political agenda. In honor of the anniversary, UN Dispatch, On Day One, and Grist are partnering to discuss ideas the next president can adopt to take on climate change. We are joined by a panel of experts who will weigh in on ideas submitted to On Day One by every ... |
|
| Topics: climate, energy, James Hansen, legislation, politics, renewable energy (all these topics) |
|
|
Hill heap
A weekly roundup of greenish news from the Capitol |
Kate Sheppard |
21 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| A few of this week's environmental happenings that I've been meaning to point out: Oilman-turned-clean-energy-evangelist T. Boone Pickens came to town to testify about the country's transmission problems that are preventing wind from becoming a major source of power. Pickens, who is attempting to build the world's largest wind farm in Texas, joined experts from the Department of Energy and wind-energy lobbyists in testifying before the Senate Committee on Energ ... |
|
| Topics: climate, energy, Muckraker, news, oil, politics, wind power (all these topics) |
|
|
A huge tax increase?
The GOP disinformation machine settles on an angle |
Ryan Avent |
20 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| It seems that another way that the GOP will try to win on this issue is by painting carbon pricing as a massive tax increase. This is just dishonest, though politically it's their best bet (assuming a complete lack of regard for actual outcomes). Let's all think back to the Lieberman-Warner debate, when Bush did his best to scare the crap out of everyone by arguing that L-W would increase gas prices 53 cents-per-gallon by 2030. In fact, it's difficult to imagine th ... |
|
| Topics: carbon trading, climate, energy, gas prices, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Big bad boom
Radioactive deja vu in the American West |
David Roberts |
20 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| This is a guest essay from Chip Ward, author and board member of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. It was originally published on TomDispatch and is republished here with Tom's kind permission. ----- In the American West, we take global warming personally. Like those polar bears desperately hunting for dwindling ice flows, we feel we're on the frontlines of the new weather regime. The West is drying up. For example, canyon-hugging conservationists ... |
|
| Topics: business, climate, energy, environmental movement, nuclear power, politics, water pollution (all these topics) |
|
|
NOAA: Global warming has damaged our weather
Worse heat waves, floods, droughts, hurricanes, and storms to come |
Brad Johnson |
20 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Originally posted at the Wonk Room. The traditional media rarely discusses extreme weather events in the context of global warming. However, as the Wonk Room Global Boiling series has documented, scientists have been warning us for years that climate change will increase catastrophic weather events like the California wildfires, the East Coast heatwave, and the Midwest floods that have been taking lives and causing billions in damage in recent days. Yesterday, th ... |
|
| Topics: climate, climate change impacts, climate science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
D.C.'s newest baseball team: The Washington Exxons
Protestors object to a green baseball stadium sponsored by the world's dirtiest corporation |
Mike Tidwell |
20 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Imagine a Major League Baseball stadium constructed to actually fight lung disease. Imagine engineers eschewing asbestos in every form, using only materials approved by the American Lung Association. Imagine emergency inhalers at every seat, with team officials aggressively marketing the 'healthy-lung' park to conscientious fans. Then imagine your surprise, in visiting the park, to see a huge Marlboro cigarettes ad plastered across the left field fence. Ima ... |
|
| Topics: climate, climate change impacts, green living, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
A climate hero: An outspoken truth
A look back at James Hansen's seminal testimony on climate, part three |
Guest author |
20 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| A Climate Hero: An Outspoken Truth Worldwatch Institute is partnering with Grist to bring you this three-part series commemorating the 20-year anniversary of NASA scientist James Hansen's groundbreaking testimony on global climate change next week. It is written by Worldwatch staff writer Ben Block. Part three of three follows. Part one is here; part two is here. ----- In May 1989, a few months after NASA scientist James Hansen declared that global warming ... |
|
| Topics: climate, climate science, James Hansen, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Back to Nature
Nature publishes my climate analysis and solution |
Joseph Romm |
19 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Here is perhaps my most succinct and citable explanation of why 'Both national and global climate policy (PDF) must redirect its focus from setting a price on carbon to promoting the rapid deployment of clean technologies' (online here). True, I didn't think I would appear in Nature again. But Nature online asked me for my critique of the Boxer-Lieberman-Warner Bill bill, and they were open to a big-picture commentary based on the latest climate science. They even r ... |
|
| Topics: climate, climate change impacts, climate science, legislation, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
The Grand Ostrich Party
Conservative heads increasingly buried in sand |
Ryan Avent |
19 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Andrew Sullivan reads this Jim Manzi post (Conservatives are going to win on climate change! By doing nothing!) and says he's on board. He then proceeds to blow my freaking mind: The key will be private and public innovation of non-carbon energy, and possibly carbon capture technology. Frankly, however painful it is for many, the high price of gas is perhaps the best anti-global warming non-policy there is. Now, why is it that the high price of gas is the best an ... |
|
| Topics: climate, energy, fossil fuels, gas prices, politics, renewable energy (all these topics) |
|
|
350 or bust
The 350ppm challenge to U.S. environmental organizations and the importance of McKibben's 350.org |
Ken Ward |
19 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Bill McKibben spoke about 350.org recently at the Jamaica Plain Forum. Coming on the heels of recent talks by Ross Gelbspan, also at the JP Forum, and Jim Hansen, in Lexington, Mass., Bill's talk completed a trifecta of area appearances by climate action patriots. My friend Andrée, who attended all three events, said: 'Hansen has the reserve of a scientist, and the certainty of someone who knows he is right. McKibben is just like his writing -- philosophical, wry ... |
|
| Topics: Bill McKibben, climate, economy, environmental movement, grassroots activism, James Hansen, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
EIA to McCain: Drop offshore (drilling)
Offshore drilling will have no impact on oil prices through 2030 |
Joseph Romm |
19 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| McCain has flip-flopped his position on offshore drilling, pandered to the oil companies, and embraced the exact same strategy endorsed by the man McCain is trying so hard to run away from -- President Bush. He must have a damn good policy reason: 'Tomorrow I'll call for lifting the federal moratorium for states that choose to permit exploration,' McCain said. 'I think that this and perhaps providing additional incentives for states to permit exploration off their co ... |
|
| Topics: climate, energy, John McCain, oil and gas drilling, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
|
|
A climate hero: The testimony
A look back at James Hansen's seminal testimony on climate, part two |
Guest author |
18 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Worldwatch Institute is partnering with Grist to bring you this three-part series commemorating the 20-year anniversary of NASA scientist James Hansen's groundbreaking testimony on global climate change next week. It is written by Worldwatch staff writer Ben Block. Part two of three follows. Part one is here. ----- An unprecedented heat wave gripped the United States in the summer of 1988. Droughts destroyed crops. Forests were in flames. The Mississippi River ... |
|
| Topics: climate, climate science, James Hansen, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
House party
Yet another climate bill introduced in the House; greens applaud |
Kate Sheppard |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Since climate change legislation failed to gather steam in the Senate this month, all eyes are now on the House. Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) has been promising a bill for months. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming, put out an ambitious bill in early June. Today, Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) added their own legislatio ... |
|
| Topics: climate, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US House of Representatives (all these topics) |
|
|
McCain's free pass
|
David Roberts |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Great post from Hilzoy over at Obsidian Wings, starting with McCain's confused statements on climate change, moving out to McCain's confused statements on other matters of policy, and asking: why is no one in the mainstream media covering this? Why is McCain allowed to get away with it? |
|
| Topics: climate, John McCain, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
|
|
The Department of Defense (of itself)
DOD slows condemning research into its polluting behavior |
Liz Borkowski |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Back in April, a Government Accountability Office report explained how the White House Office of Management and Budget was holding up the EPA's Integrated Risk Information System assessments. According to GAO, the OMB started requiring an 'interagency review' process allowing agencies that might be affected by the IRIS assessments to provide comments on the documents. As a result, some of these outside agencies can effectively block completion of IRIS assessments, whi ... |
|
| Topics: climate, Department of Defense, health, politics, toxics, US EPA (all these topics) |
|
|
Lessons from an angry planet
Rebuilding in the wake of 'extreme weather' |
Joseph Romm |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| From the standpoint of global climate change, nature's incredible assault on the American heartland this year can be interpreted in one of two ways. Both offer lessons about the challenges of adapting to the climate we have created. As of June 13, 1,577 tornadoes had been reported in the United States, with 118 fatalities. The season started in January, unusually early, with more than 130 reported tornadoes in the upper Midwest. As if to send voters a reminder ... |
|
| Topics: carbon trading, climate, greenhouse-gas emissions, politics, severe weather (all these topics) |
|
|
Calamity Kaine
Virginia Gov, possible veep, afraid of Big Coal |
Glenn Hurowitz |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine set a new standard for politician mealy-mouthedness with a letter to his Virginia Air Board (tip of the hat to Raising Kaine for digging this one up). Although he asserts that his letter isn't about any particular decision, everyone outside the governor's office knows that the letter is about one thing: The proposed massive coal-fired power plant being planned for Wise County, Virginia. His bureaucratic opacity (PDF) is sure to be taught in gov ... |
|
| Topics: climate, coal, energy, politics, presidential race 08, Virginia (all these topics) |
|
|
Mixed messages
McCain releases new climate ad ahead of speech calling for more drilling |
Kate Sheppard |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| John McCain unveiled a new climate-change ad today -- hours before he's scheduled to give an energy speech in Texas that will call for building more oil refineries and lifting a federal ban on offshore oil and gas drilling. 'John McCain stood up to the president and sounded the alarm on global warming, five years ago,' says the ad. 'Today, he has a realistic plan that will curb greenhouse-gas emissions. A plan that will help grow our economy and protect our envi ... |
|
| Topics: climate, energy, John McCain, Muckraker, news, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
|
|
Mildly different
Are McCain's environmental views really so far from Bush's? |
David Roberts |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The New York Times' Elisabeth Bumiller says, "On the environment ... Mr. McCain has strikingly different views from Mr. Bush." Is that true? Bush wants unstinting federal support and pork for the nuclear industry. He supports "clean coal." He is against raising CAFE standards on automobiles or boosting efficiency and performance standards on other individual economic sectors. He supports removing the moratorium on offshore drilling. He believes in ... |
|
| Topics: climate, energy, George Bush, John McCain, legislation, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Moral obligation, patriotic duty
State poll shows Oregonians ready and willing to do what it takes to halt climate change |
Anna Fahey |
17 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The National research firm Public Opinion Strategies recently conducted a survey of 500 likely Oregon voters to assess views on the issue of climate change and to gauge support for the basic principles of policy measures like the proposed cap-and-trade system in the Lieberman-Warner Act (a.k.a. the Climate Security Act -- legislation that was recently defeated last week in the U.S. Senate, but marked a step forward on national climate policy.) The survey, which presents ... |
|
| Topics: cap-and-dividend, carbon trading, climate, economy, energy, greenhouse-gas emissions, Nature Conservancy, Oregon, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Two out of three ain't bad
McCain campaign clarifies (some of) McCain's climate malapropisms |
David Roberts |
16 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Earlier today, Kate reported on some confused remarks from John McCain on his plan for a carbon cap. Via Politico, the McCain campaign has now clarified the remarks. Here's the original exchange: QUESTION: The European Union has set mandatory targets on renewable energy. Is that something you would consider in a McCain administration? [...] MCCAIN: Sure. I believe in the cap-and-trade system, as you know. I would not at this time make those -- impose a manda ... |
|
| Topics: climate, elections, John McCain, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
|
|
|
©2008. Grist Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Gloom and doom with a sense of humor®.