Climate 411

Do These Videos Make the Point?

Sheryl CanterThis post is by Sheryl Canter, an online writer and editorial manager at Environmental Defense Fund.

We’ve created some 30-second spots on the importance of passing climate change legislation, and we’d like your feedback on them.

The "American Voices" videos, which will run on WashingtonPost.com, feature regular Americans talking about how climate change affects them personally:

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/UaDaLGcm9vk" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Read More »

Posted in News / Read 11 Responses

Global Warming Bill in Connecticut

Derek WalkerToday’s post is by Derek Walker, deputy director of the State Climate Campaign at Environmental Defense Fund.

Connecticut will soon become the fifth state, after California, New Jersey, Hawaii and Washington, to enact a mandatory cap on greenhouse gas emissions. The state’s Republican Governor, Jodi Rell, announced this week that she will sign the global warming bill passed by Connecticut’s House and Senate. Called Act Concerning Connecticut Global Warming Solutions (HB-5600), the bill has much in common with the California legislation, Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB-32) – also signed into law by a Republican governor.

We at EDF and our allies in Connecticut (Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Environment Northeast, Environment Connecticut, Clean Water Action, the Nature Conservancy and others) almost decided to delay our push for AB-32-style legislation until 2009. The state’s economic performance and job growth has been stagnant, and our initial assessment of the legislative appetite for a strong global warming bill was not encouraging. In spite of these choppy seas, we decided to set sail this year even if it became a two-year fight.

Read More »

Posted in News / Read 3 Responses

Ride Your Bike to Washington, D.C.

Sheryl CanterThis post is by Sheryl Canter, an online writer and editorial manager at Environmental Defense Fund.

Got a bike? Got strong thighs? Want to tell Washington what you think about climate change?

Sign up for Climate Ride 2008, a 5-day, 320-mile bike ride from New York City to Washington, D.C. on September 20-24. Expert speakers will educate riders along the way about solutions to climate change. The ride will conclude with a celebration near the steps of the Capitol building. The organizers call it “a fundraiser and climate conference on wheels.”

Posted in News / Comments are closed

Algae: A Promising Source of Fuel?

Miriam HornThis post is by Miriam Horn, a writer at Environmental Defense Fund and co-author of the New York Times bestseller, Earth: The Sequel.

Who would have thought that algae (a.k.a. pond scum) – the microscopic plants whose "blooms" choke off life in lakes and estuaries – would emerge as the hottest new energy crop?

But sure enough, dozens of start-ups, backed by millions of dollars in venture capital, are racing to find the best way to turn algae into fuel, with exciting results.

Read More »

Posted in Cars and Pollution / Read 3 Responses

How Do We Plan for Climate Change?

Lisa MooreThis post is by Lisa Moore, Ph.D., a scientist in the Climate and Air program at Environmental Defense Fund.

How do we plan for climate change? Unfortunately, many groups don’t even ask that question, much less begin to answer it.

I’m happy to report that there are exceptions. Yesterday, I testified before the New York City Council’s Infrastructure Task Force, which held a forum on how climate change and flooding will affect the city’s infrastructure. It was an interesting experience. I left feeling cautiously optimistic that the city really is trying to tackle the problem.

Read More »

Posted in News / Read 8 Responses

Asthma and Idling: A Bad Combination

Mel PeffersThis post is by Mel Peffers, a project manager in the Living Cities program at Environmental Defense Fund.

Today is World Asthma Day. Since car exhaust can lead to asthma as well as global warming, we thought it would be a good day to highlight the importance of not idling your car or truck engine.

What makes idling especially bad for health is that drivers tend to idle in gathering places – by sidewalks, schools, playgrounds, homes, and offices. Breathing in pollution close to the source is more dangerous than farther away.

Take a look at the evidence.

Read More »

Posted in Cars and Pollution, Health / Read 5 Responses