Climate 411

The Global Warming in the Pipeline

By Lisa Moore / Published: November 20, 2007

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

A common refrain here on Climate411 is that we need to cut greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible. One of the reasons we’ve cited numerous times is that, even if we could stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at today’s levels, some global temperature increase is already locked into the system. This is sometimes called the “warming commitment” or the “warming in the pipeline”.

What’s behind this phenomenon? The short answer is: water, water everywhere.

Read More »

Posted in Basic Science of Global Warming / Read 10 Responses

IPCC's Final Words: Reduce Emissions

By Lisa Moore / Published: November 19, 2007

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

This past week, IPCC’s Nobel Prize-winning scientists met in Valencia, Spain to write a synthesis of their three-volume report. The Summary for Policymakers of the Synthesis Report [PDF] makes it very clear that we need to act immediately to avoid the worst effects of global warming.

IPCC Chairman Dr. Rajendra Pachauri summarized the main message as follows: “Climate change is a serious threat to development everywhere. Today, the time for doubt has passed. The IPCC has unequivocally affirmed the warming of our climate system, and linked it directly to human activity. Slowing or even reversing the existing trends of global warming is the defining challenge of our age.”

Read More »

Posted in News / Read 1 Response

Bush CAFE Standards Overturned on Appeal

By Vickie Patton / Published: November 16, 2007

This post is by Vickie Patton, Deputy General Counsel at Environmental Defense.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals just issued a 90-page opinion overturning major aspects of the Bush administration’s flawed fuel economy standards for light-duty trucks. Sean Donahue argued the case for Environmental Defense and Susan Fiering for the California Attorney General’s office – on behalf of a larger group of state and environmental petitioners.

Among other things, the court held that the Department of Transportation (DOT):

Read More »

Posted in Cars and Pollution / Read 1 Response

Environmental Defense President Testifies Before Congress

By Sheryl Canter / Published: November 16, 2007

This post is by Sheryl Canter, an Online Writer and Editorial Manager at Environmental Defense.

Yesterday, Environmental Defense President Fred Krupp testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works about America’s Climate Security Act (ACSA). "There is no more important legislation that this Committee will ever consider than comprehensive climate change policy," said Krupp in his written remarks [PDF].

Krupp focused on four main points:

  1. Time is of the essence; we must not delay.
  2. This bill has all the essential elements needed to tackle climate change.
  3. We have the technology we need to get started.
  4. The bill’s system of carrots and sticks will prompt international action.

He also recommended some improvements the Senate can make going forward, and alerted Senators to amendments that we would oppose. The bill is scheduled for “mark-up” on December 5 (more on the legislative process in upcoming posts).

Posted in Climate Change Legislation / Read 1 Response

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Ad Misleads America on Costs of Global Warming Action

By Sheryl Canter / Published: November 15, 2007

This post is by Sheryl Canter, an Online Writer and Editorial Manager at Environmental Defense.

It’s no surprise the U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposes the Lieberman-Warner bill (see their new ad). They’ve been one of the loudest voices against global warming action for years.

The problem is, their claim that a firm climate bill will cripple our economy is simply wrong. See our previous post on Green Technologies for a more realistic assessment of the costs. There is also a cost to inaction. A recent study by the University of Maryland found that the most expensive option is to do nothing.

Read More »

Posted in Economics / Read 1 Response

Governors Challenge Congress to Lead on Climate Change

By Sheryl Canter / Published: November 15, 2007

This post is by Sheryl Canter, an Online Writer and Editorial Manager at Environmental Defense.

What do the Republican Governor of California, the Democratic Governor of Montana, and the Republican Governor of Utah have in common? A desire for Congress to take action on global warming. Check out our new Governors’ Ad:

Posted in News / Comments are closed