Climate 411

This post is by Dan Grossman, EDF’s Rocky Mountain Regional Director.

You turn on a tap, and water pours out.  You decide on the temperature – hot  or cold.  You decide on the speed – fast or slow.  This is not a luxury, just an activity of daily living.

In Boulder, we are studying how to keep that water flowing in the future  –  and we’re paying close attention to federal clean energy and climate legislation because it can protect water in Western states.

A new report documents more evidence that clean energy and climate policy is also smart policy for water management in the West.

The link between energy, climate and water is not new, but droughts are now a daily reminder of the urgency to connect the dots with federal policy.

The report’s release coincides with the U.S. Senate’s return to Washington to take up energy and climate legislation this week.

Clean energy sources emit fewer greenhouse gas pollutants and save water, which means more water for Western cities, agriculture, businesses and recreation.   National climate policy will add weight to the worthy measures that westerners are already pursuing.

Repeat after me: clean energy and climate policy is smart water policy.  Now pass that message along to everyone you know.

Richmond Times-Dispatch– “Today’s Political Leaders Face Choices”

By Jay Fisette, Times-Dispatch Columnist

“According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, to spur job creation the U.S. must invest more and compete for a share of the potential $500 billion global clean energy market.”

“And last month, after all of their work, the senators [Kerry and Lieberman] introduced the American Power Act, receiving unprecedented support from industry and the environmental community — for taking the first serious step toward passing legislation that will reduce America’s dependence on oil and boost production of clean domestic power.”

The Huffington Post– “Owning Up to Our Oil Addiction”

By Tom Schey

“Americans have had a longstanding, reckless love affair with their autos. It’s an abusive relationship that has almost single-handedly dismantled one of our strongest and — at one time — most prideful industries.”

“The time is now. If the calamity in the Gulf doesn’t paint a clear enough picture and sense of urgency, what the hell will? Enough of watered down politics; this is a matter of survival for generations to come. Let your congressman/senator know. It’s time to be bold; enough with the compromises.”

 The Voices of a New Clean Energy Future is a series from individuals who understand the importance of passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation – business leaders, politicians, policy experts, and concerned citizens like you. EDF is proud to highlight their voices and contributions to the climate and energy debate.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune– “Put drilling ban on ballot”

By Heather Dunhill, columnist for Sarasota Herald-Tribune

“To be sure, drilling fever has subsided in the wake of the April 20 BP well blowout, which occurred in federal waters 50 miles off Louisiana. The oil disaster has fouled shores in the Gulf states; caused untold damage to the environment and the regional economy; and tarnished faith in the safety of offshore oil exploration.”

“A constitutional amendment against drilling has value. But leaders, lawmakers and voters must keep pushing for real alternatives to oil.”

Louisiana Weekly– “Demand a new energy policy and climate bill”

By Madeline Ostrander

“Today, the destructive effects of our fossil fuel economy on our coasts and rivers have never been clearer.”

“Most Americans can recite the reasons why we need to move away from the fossil fuel economy — climate change, dwindling supplies of easy-to-access oil, dependence on foreign sources of energy — but much of the damage caused by our fossil-fuel addiction is hidden from view.”

The Voices of a New Clean Energy Future is a series from individuals who understand the importance of passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation – business leaders, politicians, policy experts, and concerned citizens like you. EDF is proud to highlight their voices and contributions to the climate and energy debate.

NY Times– Editorial: “Big Oil’s Good Deal”

“No industry enjoys the array of tax breaks and subsidies that the oil and gas industry does. No industry needs them less. For all the damage it has caused, the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico may provide the political momentum to end this special treatment.”

“Instead of enriching the oil companies, Congress should end these unjustifiable breaks and focus on encouraging alternative fuel sources that create cleaner energy and new clean-energy jobs.”

Boston Globe– Editorial: “Green firms uniting to flex political muscle”

By Mark Arsenault, Globe Staff

“Stonyfield Farm is slapping its familiar cow logo on more than just containers of yogurt these days. The New Hampshire-based organic food maker is one of more than 50 local companies to lend its corporate name to a political lobbying campaign aimed at persuading Congress to support climate and energy legislation on Capitol Hill.”

“The Kerry-Lieberman proposal calls for an auction of carbon-emission permits and would use the money generated to provide billions in incentives to reduce greenhouse gasses.”

The Voices of a New Clean Energy Future is a series from individuals who understand the importance of passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation – business leaders, politicians, policy experts, and concerned citizens like you. EDF is proud to highlight their voices and contributions to the climate and energy debate.

LompocRecord.com– “America Must End Oil Addiction”

By Chuck Arnold, pastor at Valley of the Flowers United Methodist Church

 “So it isn’t that the president has not acted, it is that a whole lot of people, making money from gas and oil, don’t want him to act.”

 “The fact remains, to minimize the impact, our consumption — yours and mine — must be chopped. One consequence — it means we will have to pay more for gas. I don’t like that any more than you do. We will however, have to do it, if we truly intend to reduce consumption and end our dependence on foreign oil.”

 The Huffington Post– “The Banks Strike Back”

By Carl Pope, Chairman of Sierra Club

 “The banks — perhaps concerned about the competition from low cost, public financing of my home upgrade — have just thrown a huge monkey-wrench in America’s vision of green jobs and a clean energy future. Some parasites — like lamprey eels — never let go.”

 “Now the question is: will Congress and the White House let the banks protect energy and carbon waste with their usury, putting the banks back in charge of our economy?”

The Voices of a New Clean Energy Future is a series from individuals who understand the importance of passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation – business leaders, politicians, policy experts, and concerned citizens like you. EDF is proud to highlight their voices and contributions to the climate and energy debate.