|
| Headline |
Author |
Published |
Section |
Gore at the right time
America's climate guru issues statement of support for America's Climate Security Act |
Kate Sheppard |
02 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) is pretty jazzed about this statement of support for the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act that Al Gore released today: I want to commend Senator Boxer for her leadership of the Environment and Public Works Committee. Thanks to her vision and dedication, we have the first global warming bill in history that is comprehensive, bipartisan and that enjoys support across the country -- from labor and agriculture to the business and the e ... |
|
| Topics: Al Gore, Barbara Boxer, climate, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US Senate (all these topics) |
|
|
Breaking: Cloture vote on Climate Security Act
Senate decides to advance to debate on climate legislation |
Kate Sheppard |
02 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The Senate just held a cloture vote on whether to proceed with debate on the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. It needed 60 votes to proceed. And the Senate says ... Agreed to move forward, 74-14! Climate change will now be open for debate on the Senate floor. UPDATE: Now they're debating about when to start debate, and how much time to allot for debate. Republicans want 30 hours before amendments can even be introduced. And, of course, as John Kerry (D-M ... |
|
| Topics: climate, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US Senate (all these topics) |
|
|
The strange case of Bob Corker
Conservative senator offers two progressive amendments to climate bill |
David Roberts |
02 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| One of the more ambitious and progressive proposals in the climate debate is Peter Barnes' 'cap-and-dividend,' which would take the revenue from carbon permit auctions and distribute it evenly to every U.S. citizen on a monthly basis. Another common progressive/enviro position on climate legislation is that it should minimize the use of offsets, particularly international offsets that originate in programs like the Clean Development Mechanism with a questionable reco ... |
|
| Topics: cap-and-dividend, climate, legislation, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Ten industry arguments against action on global warming ... and why they are wrong
|
Joseph Romm |
02 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| For the debate on Boxer-Lieberman-Warner, Daniel J. Weiss, Director of Climate Strategy at the Center for American Progress, has written a debunking of standard attack lines on climate action. Here are the myths he takes on: Binding emissions reductions before 2020 are too swift, and should not be imposed until the technology to remove carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants is commercially available. Global warming reductions will drive oil and gasoline prices ... |
|
| Topics: climate, climate change mitigation, legislation, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Lame duck quacking
White House says it will veto Lieberman-Warner climate bill |
David Roberts |
02 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| I received the following release from the White House this morning: ----- STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY S. 3036 - Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (Sen. Boxer (D) CA) The Administration believes that climate change is an important issue and is taking significant domestic and international actions to address it. As Congress debates this important issue, it must recognize that bad legislation would raise fuel prices and raise taxes on Ameri ... |
|
| Topics: climate, legislation, politics, White House (all these topics) |
|
|
Making radio waves
Boxer gives Democratic radio address to rally support for Climate Security Act |
Kate Sheppard |
02 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Sen. Babara Boxer, chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee and the floor manager of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, gave the Democratic radio address on Saturday. In it, she talked up the need for action on climate change now and why senators should support the bill. You can listen to the full address here. An excerpt: Senators have come together across party lines to write a law that will not only enable us to avoid the ravages of unchecked ... |
|
| Topics: Barbara Boxer, climate, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US Senate (all these topics) |
|
|
The fruits of labor
Climate Security Act gets support from labor unions |
Kate Sheppard |
02 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act has picked up a decent amount of support from labor groups. So far: The Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, which includes: International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Internation ... |
|
| Topics: climate, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US Senate (all these topics) |
|
|
Don't say we didn't Warner you
National Association of Manufacturers releases anti-climate legislation video |
Kate Sheppard |
02 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| If you want a sense of the kind of opposition the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act is up against from industry groups, you'll find a crystalline example in a video just put out by the National Association of Manufacturers. It's an attempt to stoke fear and anger about the legislation, primarily through the artful deployment of clauses that begin with the word 'could.' 'In the end, this cap-and-trade bill could well cap our economy and trade our jobs overseas,' ... |
|
| Topics: climate, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US Senate (all these topics) |
|
|
Just around the Warner
Lieberman-Warner climate bill hitting the Senate floor |
Kate Sheppard |
02 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| After months of hearings, haggling, and revision, a climate change bill will reach the floor of the Senate this week. The showdown over the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (CSA) marks the first time the full chamber has focused on a dedicated piece of global warming legislation since 2005, when the McCain-Lieberman climate bill was voted down for a second time. Sen. John McCain played a starring role in that episode. But it seems if he can't be the star, he ... |
|
| Topics: Barbara Boxer, climate, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US Senate (all these topics) |
|
|
White paper trail
Dingell issues another glimpse at where he stands on climate legislation |
Kate Sheppard |
01 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The world is still waiting with bated breath for climate legislation from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee chair Rick Boucher (D-Va.) are supposedly collaborating on bill. In the meantime, the committee has been issuing a series of 'white papers' on climate legislation. Last week they released their fourth installment [PDF], 'Getting the Most Greenhouse Gas Reductions for Our Money,' ... |
|
| Topics: climate, John Dingell, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, US House of Representatives (all these topics) |
|
|
FOE pas
Friends of the Earth not all that jazzed about Lieberman-Warner |
Kate Sheppard |
31 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Friends of the Earth has been running a campaign for months to convince senators to oppose the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act if it's not significantly improved. 'The Lieberman-Warner bill comes nowhere close to doing what scientists say we must to have a shot at avoiding catastrophic outcomes,' said FOE President Brent Blackwelder in a statement last week. 'It is a wholly inadequate response to the greatest environmental crisis of our time.' The group i ... |
|
| Topics: climate, Friends of the Earth, legislation, Muckraker, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Lieberman-Warner gets corporate support
Industry & green groups join up to back climate bill |
Kate Sheppard |
31 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| A coalition of corporations, green groups, and unions issued a joint statement to senators yesterday declaring their support for the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, which will hit the Senate floor on Monday. Among the endorsers is General Electric, one of the five largest companies in the world -- definitely a big pick-up for the legislation. 'This is a very important vote on a bipartisan plan to address climate change,' reads the statement. '[T]he bill prot ... |
|
| Topics: climate, environmental movement, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
'We're the Saudi Arabia of coal'
Obama & Clinton shill for coal in Montana |
Kate Sheppard |
30 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The Flathead Beacon in Montana pinned down interviews with both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton ahead of the state's Tuesday primary. The paper asked questions on domestic oil and gas drilling, the preservation of public lands, and coal. The whole thing is interesting, but the candidates' responses on coal were the most notable: Q: But what role should fossil fuels play, specifically in Montana, where we've got vast coal reserves? Do you think, in the short term or ... |
|
| Topics: Barack Obama, climate, coal, energy, Hillary Clinton, Montana, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
|
|
The first 100 days
Obama says climate and energy would be top priorities at start of his admin |
Kate Sheppard |
30 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| It's a bit buried here, but Marc Ambinder notes that at a fundraiser in Denver on Wednesday night, Barack Obama said his first-100-day priorities would include sending a 'signal to the world' on energy and climate change. Wish that were a bit more specific, but hey, at least it's in there. |
|
| Topics: Barack Obama, climate, energy, Muckraker, news, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
|
|
Where's the green beef?
LCV urges prez candidates to be leaders on climate bill |
Kate Sheppard |
30 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The League of Conservation Voters just issued a statement on John McCain's plans to skip out on next week's voting on the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. Spokespeople for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have said they aren't sure whether the candidates will make it back to the Hill to vote. Here's LCV's official statement: 'Surely, with five months to go before election day, there is time to discharge the responsibility of being a United States senator and t ... |
|
| Topics: climate, John McCain, League of Conservation Voters, Muckraker, politics, presidential race 08 (all these topics) |
|
|
Bush administration climate report ... at last
Overdue federal report acknowledges climate-change realities |
Kate Sheppard |
30 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Under pressure from a court order, the Bush administration put out a new report on climate change yesterday that comes to the conclusion that 'most of the recent global warming is very likely due to human-generated increases in greenhouse gas concentrations.' The report covers familiar (to anyone who's been paying attention) ground -- the impacts of climate change on the environment, economy, and public health. A 1990 law requires that presidents submit a report t ... |
|
| Topics: climate, climate change impacts, Muckraker, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
He's no zero
Republicans for Environmental Protection explains McCain ranking (or lack thereof) |
Kate Sheppard |
30 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Republicans for Environmental Protection gave John McCain a 'no score' on its just-released 2007 congressional scorecard, as David pointed out earlier. McCain missed all 14 of the votes on which REP scored senators, but the group opted not to give him a zero. Grist called David Jenkins, government affairs director for REP, to find out why. 'We thought the best way to treat this was to not score presidential candidate absences as a negative,' said Jenkins. 'It ... |
|
| Topics: John McCain, League of Conservation Voters, legislation, Muckraker, news, politics, shenanigans (all these topics) |
|
|
More defense
EDF airs another ad in support of the Climate Security Act |
Kate Sheppard |
29 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Environmental Defense Fund is running another ad in support of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, this one in Washington, D.C., and other markets around the country. It features a talking, businessman-shaped candle melting while offering a bunch of the tired excuses one hears about why climate legislation is a bad idea. 'Sure, climate change is a problem, but let's not rush into anything,' says melting man. 'Remember: haste makes waste.' Watch the ad: |
|
| Topics: climate, Muckraker, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Dear Governor Greenwash
Hansen: Governors aren't getting it |
Guest author |
29 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The following is a guest essay from noted climate scientist James Hansen. ----- My recent experience with governors raises a question about whether this is an effective way to communicate about climate change. (Apologies for the length -- you may skip the three tales and go to the bottom line.) Dear Governor Pawlenty [PDF] Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty presides over a population that appreciates nature. Explorer Will Steger has done a marvelous job of informing the pub ... |
|
| Topics: cap-and-dividend, climate, Minnesota, Nevada, politics, state politics, Virginia (all these topics) |
|
|
The cowardly lion
McCain to skip another crucial climate vote |
David Roberts |
29 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Unbelievable. Sen. John McCain -- who just weeks ago said of the Climate Security Act, "I hope it will pass, and I hope the entire Congress will join in supporting it and the President of the United States would sign it" -- now says he won't show up to vote on it. He won't vote against it, mind you. Won't go on record. Won't take a stand. He just won't show. 'I have not been there for a number of votes. The same thing happened in the campaign of ... |
|
| Topics: climate, coal, energy, jackassery, legislation, nuclear power, politics, renewable energy (all these topics) |
|
|
Blair weighs in
U.K.'s former prime minister says symbolic vote on Boxer-Lieberman-Warner matters to the world |
Joseph Romm |
29 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| In March, British prime minister Tony Blair launched the Breaking the Climate Deadlock initiative to promote a new global agreement on climate change. Today he has an op-ed the in the Washington Post, 'Leading On Climate Change: How Action in Congress Can Move the World,' in which he argues,The climate change bill that senators are to begin debating next week is a hugely important signal of intent on behalf of U.S. legislators. Yes, negotiations could still alter t ... |
|
| Topics: climate, greenhouse-gas emissions, legislation, politics, United Kingdom (all these topics) |
|
|
The Pentagon that ate America
|
David Roberts |
29 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| There have been some discussions on Grist lately of the military, the military budget, how how militarism relates to sustainability. Everyone interested in those topics should immediately go and read 'Entrenched, Embedded, and Here to Stay: The Pentagon's Expansion Will Be Bush's Lasting Legacy' over on TomDispatch. It is a deeply disturbing -- not to say nightmare-inducing -- story about how the Pentagon has metastasized under the Bush administration. As the clock ... |
|
| Topics: George Bush, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
A free pass
Republicans for Environmental Protection lets McCain off the hook for missing important votes |
David Roberts |
29 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Yesterday, Republicans for Environmental Protection issued their annual scorecard for 2007. Party standard bearer Sen. John McCain missed every vote they scored. (For more on that, see here.) So what did REP do? Give him a score of zero? No, they just didn't score him at all. Nice to see calculated political cowardice rewarded. With a bang-up start like this, I'm sure we'll see REP holding McCain's feet to the fire throughout the campaign! |
|
| Topics: dumbassery, John McCain, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
Interview with solar champion Hermann Scheer
|
David Roberts |
29 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| NewScientist has a great interview with German Social Democrat MP Hermann Scheer, who chairs the World Council for Renewable Energy and has done as much as anyone alive to spread the word on solar power. Unfortunately, it's behind a subscription wall, so you can't read it. But have no fear! I'll post a big chunk of it below the fold: What did you do about it? Ten years ago, I called for a programme to install solar panels on 100,000 roofs in Germany, so that ... |
|
| Topics: energy, Germany, interview, legislation, politics, renewable energy, solar voltaic power (all these topics) |
|
|
What do we tell the voters?
Behavioral quirks make taxes a tough sell |
Ryan Avent |
29 May 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Tom Friedman is in full-on green mode these days, which is a welcome change from his writing on Iraq. And his proposal yesterday -- that the U.S. should declare a $4 price floor for a gallon of gas -- is all right, although I'm not sure why we shouldn't just raise the gas tax and make it a percentage of the pump price rather than a flat number.But I'm interested in his introduction to the column: Imagine for a minute, just a minute, that someone running for president ... |
|
| Topics: energy, gas prices, messaging, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
|
©2008. Grist Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Gloom and doom with a sense of humor®.