Do something

Step up and be counted in fight against Warming
This Saturday, April 14, you have something to do – join the National Day of Climate Action. StepItUp2007 will hold more than 1,300 (and counting) locally generated rallies or activities around the country, to tell Congress to cut greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050.

Actions will be as diverse as coloring Canal Street in New York City with blue chalk to show the reach of rising seas; skiing on melting glaciers in Wyoming; taking waterproof banners down to endangered coral reefs off Maui and Key West; and driving hybrid cars across the Golden Gate Bridge.

"It's clearly going to be the biggest grass-roots environmental protest since Earth Day 1970," said Bill McKibben, a lead organizer and scholar-in-residence at Middlebury College.

There are traditional rallies too. In Chicago, where many EarthlingAngst readers live, those concerned about Global Warming will gather from noon to 2 at Daley Plaza, 100 N. Dearborn, for speeches, entertainment and activities for both adults and children. I’ve volunteered to help at the sign-in booth and hope to see you there. Come join like-minded people. It’ll be fun.

Those living elsewhere can find local activities at www.stepitup2007.org.

We must be strong
It’s critical that these demonstrations show strength, in order to have an impact on Congress, which despite its interest in climate issues, is under severe pressure from fossil fuel industries. And we know what corporate lobbies can do. Without strong public pressure, our representatives are likely to settle for weak compromise legislation. It’s unlikely they will do what scientists agree is needed – 80% by 2050.

Last week House Energy Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) said environmentalists should not expect “to dictate the result” of Global Warming legislation. Dingell and others in the government need to know that “environmentalists” are not a fringe group; they are the mainstream.

Survey results
In a recent Yale University poll, 83% of adults nationwide said Global Warming is a “serious problem.” And 63% put environmental dangers on a par with terrorism.

There was overwhelming support for alternative energy such as wind or solar: 70% were willing to consider buying solar energy and 67% said they would buy a hybrid car.

Frustrated with government inaction, 70% said President Bush should do more. 81% felt they had a responsibility to help reduce greenhouse gases, and 43% said it was their religious obligation.

In another, Gallup, poll, 79% favored stricter emissions for autos and industry and mandatory controls on greenhouse gases.

So the numbers are with us. But too many people are complacent and so far there hasn’t been the kind of public involvement there was, say, in the Civil Rights Movement or for Vietnam.

“It’s time to unleash as much passion and energy as we can,” McKibben wrote in the latest On Earth magazine. “It’s movement time. We need nothing less than a social transformation … a commitment to wean America from fossil fuels in our lifetime and to lead the rest of the world, especially India and China in the same direction.”

Let’s do it for our kids – and grandkids. See you out there Saturday, wherever you are.

Congressional round-up

*Inhofe to block Live Earth concert on Capitol lawn
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), who has called Global Warming a hoax, has vowed to block permission for a July 7 Live Earth concert on the Capitol’s west lawn, calling it “partisan and political” because former V.P. Al Gore is one of the organizers. An Earth Day celebration was held in the same place. Organizers are now looking for another U.S. city to host the concert. Other Live Earth concerts on July 7 will be in Shanghai, Sydney, Johannesburg, London and cites to be named in Brazil, Japan and Antarctica.

*Feinstein calls for national tailpipe emissions standards
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) unveiled a bill to adopt California’s auto emissions standards nationally. It requires the auto industry to cut emission 30% (from 2002) by 2016; directs the EPA to set up an emissions trading program; and suggests green gas caps for cars running on low-carbon fuel.

*Domenici says no-go unless developing nations are onboard
Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) said he will block Global Warming legislation unless China, India and other developing economies make similar commitments. China could surpass the U.S. in CO2 emissions as early as this year. Domenici said he’s afraid U.S. action would do little to help the planet but would hurt our economy, a position held by the White House.

*Waxman “Safe Climate Act” calls for 80% cut by 2050
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) re-introduced a bill setting a mandatory reduction of 80% by mid-century. It calls on the EPA to set up a cap-and-trade system for industry and calls for tailpipe restrictions as tough as California’s. The bill, with 127 co-sponsors, also requires use of renewable energy to increase 2% a year, till it reaches 20% in 2020.

*Foreign Relations pushes for international accord
A non-binding resolution passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee calls for the U.S. to work toward a binding international climate change agreement. Democratic Committee Chr. Joe Biden (Del.) and ranking Republican Richard Lugar (Ind.) said they hope the resolution will push the U.S. into U.N.-sponsored talks about the next step after Kyoto expires in 2012.
(Congressional round-up sources: The Hill, Reuters PlanetArk, Greenwire, E&E News Daily, E&E PM)


News briefs

1. Panel warns of devastating effects of warming temperatures
If greenhouse gases are not curtailed, the impact on human society will be profound, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said last week. The panel’s report predicted that if temperatures continue to rise, increased water shortages, droughts, flooding and wildfires, as well as expanding deserts and more acidic oceans, will be the result. Many millions will be flooded every year due to sea-level rise by 2080, the report said. Costs will be considerable. Some highlights, by continent:
* In Africa, as soon as 2020, 75 million to 250 million will face water shortages. Agricultural production will be severely compromised and sea-level rise will damage low-lying coastal areas with large populations.
* In Asia, melting Himalayan glaciers will cause flooding and rock avalanches within 2-3 decades. More than 1 billion will be adversely affected by water shortages by 2050. Cholera and diarrhea will increase. Risk of hunger is very high in some developing countries.
*In Australia/New Zealand, water shortages will intensify by 2030 in parts of both countries. Ongoing coastal development and population growth will exacerbate risks from sea-level rise and storm intensity, with coastal flooding by 2050. Significant loss of biodiversity along the Great Barrier Reef will occur by 2020.
*In Europe, nearly all regions will be negatively impacted, posing challenges to many economic sectors. Inland flash floods, more frequent coastal flooding and erosion, retreat of glaciers and snow cover will occur.
* Latin America, by mid-century, will see gradual replacement of tropical forest by savanna in eastern Amazonia. In dryer areas, crops will decrease. Sea rise will increase flooding in low-lying areas. Changes in precipitation and disappearing glaciers will affect water availability.
* In North America, western mountains will have decreased snowpack, more winter flooding and competition for water. Pests, diseases and fire will hurt forests. Cities already experiencing heat waves can expect them to intensify. Coastal communities will be increasingly stressed.
*Small islands will face inundation, storms surges and erosion from sea level rise, threatening vital infrastructure and settlements. By 2050, water on many islands in the Caribbean and Pacific may be insufficient in low-rain periods. To read the 21-page summary of the report, go to www.ipcc.ch and download the summary for policymakers (top right, on picture) (Source: IPCC)

2. U.S. blocks G8-plus-5 agreement on carbon trading
The United States blocked consensus on carbon-trading last month at a meeting of environment ministers from the G8 industrial nations plus China, India, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa. All participants agreed on the need for industrial nations to go beyond the 5% emissions cut required by Kyoto, and the need for industrialized nations to help developing countries cut their emissions. But U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson balked at joining the others to agree about setting up a carbon-trading market. He said the group needs more input from economists and financial experts. (Sources: Greenwire, AP, SFGate.com)

3. EU blames U.S., Australia for lack of international progress
The European Union last week accused the U.S. and Australia of hampering international efforts to mitigate Global Warming. "We expect ... the United States to cooperate closer and not to continue having a negative attitude in international negotiations," EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas told delegates at a United Nations-sponsored meeting. "It is absolutely necessary that they move because otherwise other countries, especially the developing countries, do not have any reason to move," he said. (Source: Reuters)

4. California to link to Europe’s carbon-trading market
In the face of the Bush Administration’s reluctance to join a carbon-trading market, California sent a delegation to Europe and now expects to join a trans-Atlantic market with the EU in 2012. California’s environmental secretary, Linda Adams, said perhaps other states would follow suit. California plans to cut its emissions 25% by 2020. Both California and the EU hope to spur Congress to set up a carbon-trading system for all 50 states. (Source: Greenwire)

5. Britain to push Security Council on Global Warming
Britain will use its month-long presidency of the Security Council to push discussion of Global Warming’s implications for peace and security. Foreign Secretary Margaret Baker will emphasize potential changes in political and maritime borders due to sea-level rise, as well as the 200 million people expected to become refugees. And she’ll point to the likelihood that scarce resources will lead to instability and conflict. (Source: Greenwire)

6. Pressure’s on EPA following Supreme Court ruling
The EPA will be called before Congress later this month to explain what it plans to do in the wake of last Monday’s Supreme Court ruling that recognized greenhouse gases as pollutants. And California and 10 other states now await EPA’s OK and the resolution of lawsuits so they can begin restricting tailpipe emissions. EPA has told California it would move forward with public comment and a hearing on the state’s request. The court ruled 5-4 that the EPA has authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. In Massachusetts vs. EPA, 11 states and 13 environmental groups had sued EPA over its refusal to regulate GHG emissions from new cars and trucks. The federal government had insisted that was up to the Dept. of Transportation. Friends of the Earth is rallying the public to pressure the EPA to begin to regulate tailpipe emissions. You can join that effort at www.action.foe.org/dia/organizationsORG/foe/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7148&t (Sources: AP, Reuters, E&E PM)

7. Easygoing European work style saves energy, helps planet
Europeans work shorter hours and take long stress-free vacations. Now we learn this lifestyle is good for the environment. A new study from the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a Washington, D.C., think tank, has discovered that carbon emissions and working hours are linked. If Europeans adopted America’s longer working hours, their energy use would increase by 30%, the study found. And the idea that the European work style is bad for the economy seems to be false. The French work 22 percent fewer hours than Americans, but each hour is 9 percent more productive, the study said. (Source: Natural Resources Defense Council’s OnEarth magazine)