Global warming

Chihota, Zimbabwe -- 01 September 2008 -- In Zimbabwe, residents of Chihota - about 50 kilometers southeast of Harare - have expressed concern about authorities' seeming lack of interest in establishing solar energy projects in their area. They say politicians should avoid making empty promises while campaigning.

Instead, the residents want office-bearers to work with them to resolve the energy crisis. Chihota is one of the country's districts hardest hit by deforestation and environmental degradation. Only a few indigenous trees remain, while the vegetation includes mostly scattered thorn bushes and short grass. Erosion has set in and gulleys dot the landscape.    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- UC Davis' annual Lake Tahoe health report finds that the long-term warming trend first described by UC Davis last year continues, that 2007 was the 14th driest year on record, and that clarity improved over 2006.

Issued today, the "Tahoe: State of the Lake Report 2008" says that the impact of smoke and ash from last summer's Angora Fire on the lake's clarity was small, though measurable. However, it cautions that it is too early to say what the impact from pollutants carried to the lake by streams and urban runoff in the burn area will be. A consortium of researchers is monitoring the long-term effects of the fire, which burned 3,100 acres at Lake Tahoe; the report says the fire's impact will not be known for several years.    » read more »

White House -- 12 August 2008 -- U.S. President George Bush wants Congress to allow more offshore oil drilling. High energy prices are a big part of this year's presidential campaign. President Bush says a lot of Americans are wondering why their government is not doing something about the supply of crude oil.

Following a meeting with business leaders, Mr. Bush said opposition Democrats in Congress are to blame for blocking efforts to expand domestic offshore drilling that has been restricted since the early 1980s.    » read more »

With $5 Million State Aid Package, Company Could be the First Pulp and Paper Mill to Operate without Fossil Fuels

August 13, 2008 -- PARK FALLS – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today visited the Flambeau River Papers mill and announced $5 million to help the company achieve its goal of being the first integrated pulp and paper mill in the nation to operate without the use of fossil fuels.    » read more »

Representatives from Government and Industry, Including Top Climate Change Scientists, Gather at City Hall to Chart Response to Effects of Changing Climate

August 12, 2008 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today launched the Climate Change Adaptation Task Force and the New York City Panel on Climate Change through to develop adaptation strategies to secure the City's infrastructure from the effects of climate change.    » read more »

Construction set for four State E-85 facilities across Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August, 2008) – Just weeks after announcing plans to transition 500 MTA buses to hybrid, and days following the award of the highest grade ever for environmental initiatives from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, Governor O’Malley was joined by Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and administration officials to present roadmap for a more sustainable transportation fuel system in Maryland, beginning with the construction of four new E-85 fuel pumps throughout Maryland.

To promote Maryland’s energy independence, Governor O’Malley outlined a plan that will combine consumer education, new technologies, and the development of an infrastructure such as the new facilities announced today.    » read more »

Gov. Palin Thanks Lawmakers for Energy Package

August, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today thanked state lawmakers for successfully addressing Alaskans’ energy needs in the recently completed special sessions, both in the short term by passing an energy relief package, and in the long term by authorizing a gasline license under the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act.

“The members of the Alaska Legislature worked honorably and diligently in the past two months to deal with these critical issues facing our state. I join with all Alaskans in recognizing and thanking them for their accomplishments,” Governor Palin said.

Resource Rebate and Energy    » read more »

Washington, D.C.-Between 2000 and 2007, carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion worldwide increased 22 percent to an estimated 8.2 billion tons, according to the latest Vital Signs Update released by the Worldwatch Institute. China accounted for a staggering 57 percent of the growth in emissions during this period, while India contributed 8 percent and the United States and Europe contributed 4 and 3 percent, respectively.    » read more »

Statements on S.B. 375 by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV)

SACRAMENTO (August 6, 2008) – State lawmakers announced a breakthrough agreement in negotiations over a landmark bill to reduce global warming pollution through better land-use planning. Senate Bill 375 by Sen. Darrell Steinberg would give local governments incentives to build more compact neighborhoods and provide more transportation alternatives. The bill is sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV).

Following is a statement by Ann Notthoff, NRDC California Advocacy Director:    » read more »

August, 2008 -- Washington, DC: In a recent speech, Senator Barack Obama outlined a comprehensive energy plan that focuses on moving America forward with sensible clean energy proposals that will create jobs and meet our energy needs. Below is a statement from Sierra Club Political Director Cathy Duvall:

Senator Obama's plan will put America on the path to a clean energy future because it prioritizes efforts that will benefit working families instead of the outdated fossil fuel industries. Senator Obama supports creating millions of jobs by investing in the cleanest, cheapest, and fastest technologies to meet our energy needs and stimulate our economy. The mix of short and long term measures includes key goals like:    » read more »

‘Fighting Goliath’ Shows How Citizens Can Stop Coal Plants From Threatening Arkansas

August, 2008 -- Arkansas residents will get a chance this week to see how they can stand up to proposed coal-fired power plants with special screenings in Fayetteville, Little Rock and Hope of the documentary "Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars."

Public Citizen and other groups are organizing the screenings of the film produced by Robert Redford, which follows a group of Texas activists who took on a big power company’s plan to build 11 coal-fired generators in their state. The activists, who included members of Public Citizen’s Texas office, succeeded in defeating several of the plants.    » read more »

TEAM Energy-Savings Projects to Have Energy Improvements Pay for Themselves

August, 2008 -- PHOENIX, Ariz. – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency David Rodgers today announced the first four Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) to help the federal government save approximately $13 million on energy and energy-related costs per year.    » read more »

AWEA Second Quarter Market Report: U.S. now leads world in wind energy generation but delay in extending federal tax credit places 2009 project pipeline on hold, discourages manufacturing investment

August, 2008 -- U.S. wind farms now generate more electricity than any other nation in the world and are on track to expand by over 45% this year, but the expiration of the federal production tax credit (PTC) less than five months from now threatens this spectacular progress, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said today in its second quarter market report.

Wind turbine: Photo by Vik Walker (CC)    » read more »

June 23, 2008 -- When John McCain is in California this week he will no doubt try to tie himself to Gov. Schwarzenegger and distance himself from President Bush. But when it comes to offshore drilling, an important issue to coastal states, like California, Senator McCain is on Bush's--not Schwarzenegger's--side.

When McCain announced last week he wanted to lift the moratorium on offshore drilling, President Bush and big oil were quick to side with him, even though the idea has been met with much criticism and would do nothing to solve our short-term energy crisis. Just as bad, Senator McCain himself campaigned against off-shore drilling in states like Oregon, Maine, and even California in the run-up to the 2000 election.    » read more »

June 23, 2008 -- After years of saying he opposed drilling in our coastal waters, Senator McCain changed his position and has embraced President Bush's vision for offshore drilling. On CBS's Face the Nation, McCain advisor Carly Fiorina tried to defend John McCain's decision to cave in to Big Oil.

Offshore oil rig: Photo by arbyreed (CC)    » read more »