Climate 411

Why a Bill in 2008: Good versus Perfect

By Tony Kreindler / Published: January 30, 2008

Tony KreindlerThis post is by Tony Kreindler, Media Director for the National Climate Campaign at Environmental Defense. It’s the second in a series on Why a Bill in 2008:

 

1. Same Politics in 2009
2. Good versus Perfect
3. The Price of Waiting
4. The World is Waiting
5. Best Answer to High Gas Prices

Why support the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (CSA)? It’s pretty good, but not perfect. If we wait until after the election, maybe we can do better.

Or maybe not.

Waiting doesn’t guarantee a better bill, and going with CSA doesn’t mean we’re stuck with all its current provisions. Don’t let the "perfect" be the enemy of the "good". We’ve made this mistake before.

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Posted in Climate Change Legislation / Read 8 Responses

10 House Members to Watch on Global Warming

By Sheryl Canter / Published: January 29, 2008

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

If (when) global warming legislation is introduced in the House, it will first be debated in the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA). If it passes after mark-up, it will then go to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by Rep. John Dingell (D-MI).

Rick Boucher and John Dingell are among the most influential players in the House when it comes to global warming. Who are some of the others? Check out our list of House Members to Watch on Global Warming.

Posted in News / Comments are closed

Storms May Be Fewer, But Still More Fierce

By Lisa Moore / Published: January 28, 2008

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

Last week, scientists published a study about global warming and hurricanes in the U.S. The authors found a weak downward trend in the number of landfalling U.S. hurricanes, but concluded that future trends will depend on the spatial distribution of ocean warming.

In its coverage of the study, the Miami Herald said that "global warming actually is diminishing the number of hurricanes that strike Florida and the rest of the United States – and the phenomenon is likely to continue." This is not exactly what the study said. Here’s the full scoop.

Atlantic Hurricanes
Atlantic hurricane tracks, 1980-2005.

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Posted in Extreme Weather / Comments are closed

Why a Bill in 2008: Same Politics in 2009

By Steve Cochran / Published: January 25, 2008

Steve CochranThis post is by Steve Cochran, National Climate Campaign Director at Environmental Defense. It’s the first in a series on Why a Bill in 2008:

 

1. Same Politics in 2009
2. Good versus Perfect
3. The Price of Waiting
4. The World is Waiting
5. Best Answer to High Gas Prices

The Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (CSA) is a solid bill, but it’s not perfect. And this is the last year of the Bush administration. The new administration, whatever the party, may be more supportive of action to halt climate change. So aren’t we likely to get a better bill through Congress if we wait for the next administration?

In a word, no. And moreover, we can’t afford to wait. Here’s why.

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Posted in Climate Change Legislation / Read 9 Responses

We’re Sponsoring the Florida Debates

By Tony Kreindler / Published: January 24, 2008

Tony KreindlerThis post is by Tony Kreindler, Media Director for the National Climate Campaign at Environmental Defense.

I’m down in Florida now, for the Republican debate that will take place tonight from 9-11 pm. Environmental Defense is a lead underwriter of the Republican debate. There’s no signage about this in the debate hall (no signage for anyone in the debate hall), but you can see our name in the so-called “spin room”, where political supporters and advisers speak to media after debates.

This isn’t something special we decided to do for Republicans. We also were sponsors of the Democratic debate before it was cancelled.

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Posted in News / Comments are closed

Global Warming by the Numbers

By Sheryl Canter / Published: January 24, 2008

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

I’ve always liked statistics – hard numbers. They can evoke pictures that are both vivid and concrete. For example, did you know that there was a 45 percent increase in the world’s solar capacity in 2005? Or that China is ranked #2 as a global producer of solar cells? (Japan is first; The U.S. ranks fourth.)

These and many other interesting statistics can be found on our newly updated Global Warming by the Numbers page. Which stats jump out most for you?

Posted in What Others are Saying / Comments are closed