Very cool story out of California today, where the $3.5 billion National Ignition Facility is set to open. Among its functions - generate energy the same way the sun does:
Inside the building, scientists will use the world's most powerful laser to create 192 separate beams of light that will be directed at a bead of frozen hydrogen in a violent burst lasting five billionths of a second. Each fuel pellet measures just two millimetres across but costs around $40,000, because they must be perfectly spherical to ensure they collapse properly when the laser light strikes.
The intense beams produce a powerful shockwave that crunches the fuel pellet at a million miles an hour, generating temperatures of around 100,000,000C. Under such extreme conditions, which are found only in the core of stars, the hydrogen atoms will fuse, producing helium and vast amounts of energy.
Over the coming decades, this facility may result in critical breakthroughs that deliver new clean energy technologies. But from a climate change perspective, we can't afford to wait that long to transition to very-low-emissions energy sources. Scientists say we need to transition away from dirty fossil fuels to clean, renewable power sources like solar and wind right now to avoid the worst effects of global warming.
So while fusion power may one day light up the homes of our great-grandchildren, it doesn't change our short-term energy solutions like the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
In Southern California, the battle has taken center stage on the Los Angeles River. Decades ago, the Army Corps paved and, with the assistance of local government, fenced many of the local rivers. Last year the Corps achieved a new low by claiming the Los Angeles River is not a traditional navigable waterway, thus introducing the notion that many of its tributaries - and possibly much of the river itself - are not worthy of protection under federal clean water laws. [...]
The truth is, whether we talk about prairie ponds or streams, creeks or lakes, America's waterways desperately need federal protection. New EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson already has expressed support for congressional action on the issue. Now Congress - as the only entity that can untangle the mess created by the Supreme Court - should make this protection clear by restoring the integrity of the Clean Water Act with passage of S. 787 (Feingold) and reintroduction of H.R. 2421 (Oberstar).
In Western states, land is literally being cooked to extract oil. Long avoided due to its intense water and energy demands, industries are starting to look at oil shale development to meet America's domestic energy needs.
The process of extracting, heating and processing the shale rock that produces oil intensifies the burden on the West's already strained water resources, places well over 2 million acres of our wildlands at stake, and threatens vital habitat for wildlife such as mule deer, black bears and the bald eagle.
That's why earlier this year, the U.S. Interior Secretary imposed a temporary halt on further leasing of public lands to companies looking to extract oil shale and he's now asking for public input on whether the federal oil shale program should proceed.
The current regulations for oil shale development do not have anywhere near the appropriate environmental or financial standards needed to protect U.S. taxpayers, our climate, the precious water in the Rockies or the millions of acres of wildlife habitat that provide some of the best opportunities for outdoor recreation out west.
Covering almost 1/3 of the nation, America's public lands are some of the last and best habitat for wildlife.
If you're like me and value the beauty of public lands, the wildlife they support and recreation opportunities they provide, you may sometimes wonder what you can do to help protect these special places. While calling and sending letters to your political leaders is always a good idea, the National Wildlife Federation is giving us another way to support public lands.
They just finished designing and printing all organic, public lands T-shirts. Their goal is to spread the word about public lands by having people all over the country wear these shirts in support of public lands. All proceeds from the shirts will go to support the public lands work of the National Wildlife Federation.
There's a shirt for everyone! See the entire collection of shirts and colors…
Many people don't know about National Wildlife Federation's public lands program, which is based in the Rocky Mountain Regional Center in Boulder, Colorado. Lately, a majority of the work has been focused around the recent energy boom in the West and helping to ensure we balance energy extraction with wildlife protection.
Recently, public lands won a huge victory when a court ruled that plans to drill for oil and gas development on New Mexico's Otero Mesa ignored the protection of key wildlife habitat and groundwater. Otero Mesa is one of most biologically rich and diverse desert ecosystems in the world and was at significant risk from drilling.
The National Wildlife Federation was a key player in this effort to protect the wildlife habitat and water of Otero Mesa. With your support we can all continue to protect these special places for generations to come.
The Natural Resources Defense Council's OnEarth magazine is featuring Destination: Greenland, tracking two explorers as they make their way across Greenland's Humbolt Glacier. The story features a daily diary with some fantastic photos.
National Wildlife Federation President & CEO Larry Schweiger led a trip to Greenland two years ago. Watch the video series on YouTube:
In the long tradition of American self-reliance -- that urge to eschew social conventions for a simpler life -- most refugees have headed for wilderness. Henry David Thoreau went to Walden Pond. John Muir to Yosemite. Then there is Paula Smith, who came to Washington about 20 years ago and has been pretty much living off the land ever since.
The article refers to Smith as "the Potomac's keeper," but she's not to be confused with the Potomac Riverkeeper, a group that works to protect and restore the Potomac's water quality.
I commend Chairman Waxman and the Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee for a successful effort to pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill out of their committee today. We are now one step closer to delivering on the promise of a new clean energy economy that will make America less dependent on foreign oil, crack down on polluters, and create millions of new jobs all across America. The bill is historic for what it achieves, providing clean energy incentives that encourage innovation while recognizing the concerns of sensitive industries and regions in this country. And this achievement is all the more historic for bringing together many who have in the past opposed a common effort, from labor unions to corporate CEOs, and environmentalists to energy companies. I applaud the committee for its action and look forward to signing comprehensive legislation.
So what's next? As Grist reports, "At least six other House committees have jurisdiction over some portion of this bill." The battles on the House floor, then the Senate will be difficult, but we'll preview those another day. This morning, let's celebrate a major victory in the fight to pass comprehensive climate & energy legislation in 2009!
Just a couple of quick updates on the American Clean Energy & Security Act (HR 2454), also known as Waxman-Markey.
Is your member of Congress voting the right way on ACES amendments in committee? The League of Conservation Voters has set up a scorecard for House Energy and Commerce Committee members.
Over at Grist, Dave Roberts takes a look at updated charts showing the projected cuts in emissions under ACES. "Is this a grotesque ruination brought on by special interests or a modest adjustment necessary to build a political coalition with a fighting chance," asks Dave. "As I said, I’m seeing it kind of shimmer back and forth between those two states, and it’s making me a little dizzy."
Politico reports Al Gore has been putting his political muscle behind the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009:
Over the past few days, the former vice president and environmental activist has mobilized his green grass roots, marshaled his well-endowed lobbying organization and even personally called Democratic committee members in an effort to push the bill through the House Energy and Commerce Committee
and through Congress.
“I have enormous respect for Al Gore. When it comes to climate change, he’s the guru,” said Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.).
Rumor has it the bill could get a final vote before the full committee as soon as tonight. We'll keep you updated!
Over the past week, the EPA has heard testimony from celebrities like James Bond, scientists like Dr. Amanda Staudt, and concerned Americans from Northern Virginia to Washington’s Puget Sound. They’re all telling the EPA what you already know – that global warming is a serious threat to our public health.
Recently, several of us here at NWF got the chance to talk with Olga Malutin, a community leader from Kodiak Island, Alaska, about the way that global warming was affecting her life.
Whether or not you live on Kodiak Island, and have seen a polar bear in your backyard, you are an expert. The EPA wants to hear from American citizens about whether global warming is a risk to YOUR health and wellbeing. Nobody knows better than you how climate change is going to affect you, your family, and your friends.
As a wildlife enthusiast, someone who always gets your Green Hour, someone who's noticed the winters aren't quite as cold as they used to be, and that polar bears are at serious risk of becoming endangered, you can add your comments too. The more the EPA hears from experts like you, the more likely they'll be to encourage the federal government to regulate the global warming pollution that puts us all at risk.
