Last evening the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee approved the American Clean Energy and Security Act by a 33 to 25 bipartisan vote.

This legislation would establish a new U.S. energy policy that avoids continuing dependence on foreign oil and builds a new, domestic clean technology manufacturing base to supply wind, solar, and other renewable energy. It will also take significant steps toward combating the climate crisis by limiting carbon pollution.

When the people lead, leaders will follow.  In a new poll by National Wildlife Federation, Americans strongly support legislative proposals that invest in clean energy and cap global warming pollution. We’ve demonstrated that by working together we can make a huge difference in the outcome of this historic effort.

Larry Schweiger

 

Representatives from the National Alliance of Forest Owners were in Washington, D.C. this week to discuss renewable energy and climate change with Congressional leaders.

National Wildlife Federation and National Alliance of Forest Owners endorse the Forest Climate Working Group policy platform, which says that U.S. forests must play a central role in our national climate strategy. America’s forests and forest products annually sequester and store 10 percent of all U.S. carbon emissions.  Healthy forests provide an essential contribution toward helping confront the climate crisis.

Larry Schweiger

Addressing climate change isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s a national security imperative.

A report released today entitled Powering America’s Defense: Energy and the Risks to National Security highlights warnings from top military leaders that our current pathway is perilous and that our country needs to set a course for a new energy future.

The nation’s dependence on fossil fuels and our "fragile" electric grid pose security threats to our nation and are "exploitable by those who wish to do us harm."

A new poll by National Wildlife Federation finds that two-thirds of all registered supporters support elements of a comprehensive climate and energy plan that will put America on the path to a new energy future, including new standards for energy efficiency, requirements on utilities to generate 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources, capping carbon pollution and requiring energy companies to reduce carbon pollution by 20 percent over the next decade, and a "smart grid" to transmit renewable energy sources.

Larry Schweiger

I'm one of the contributors over at the National Journal's Energy & Environment Experts Blog. Here's the question posed today:

Does the [Waxman-Markey] proposal go far enough to promote the use of renewable electricity? Would all states reasonably be expected to meet the 15 percent renewable mandate? How would it affect the electricity industry? Will it create winners and losers? Is there a better way to push for more renewable electricity?

Here's how I started my response:

The latest renewable energy standard in the Waxman-Markey Bill (20 percent by 2020) would be an important step forward for creating high-paying domestic jobs while reducing our reliance on fossil-fuels. The National Wildlife Federation would like to see a stronger RES, as this proposal would allow states to meet as much as 8 percent through energy efficiency. This is expected to result in slightly more renewable electricity than what the existing state requirements would accomplish in the best case.

I hope you can take a minute to visit the National Journal blog to read my full response.

-- Larry Schweiger

I want to share this TV clip of Taylor Francis, who is being recognized as one of 6 courageous people changing the planet.

I first met Taylor when he was 14 at The Climate Project training with Al Gore. Since then, Taylor has trained over 20,000 of his fellow teens with his message that the climate crisis is both the biggest challenge facing his generation and also the greatest opportunity.

Taylor traveled to China to take his message there. He spoke to thousands of students in China about global warming and brought Chinese students to PowerShift in Washington D.C.

Watch and see what one person can do.

Larry Schweiger

The Will Steger Foundation is having a Summer Institute for Climate Change Education in August. This Institute will provide an opportunity for educators to increase their comfort level for teaching climate change in the classroom and give teachers a way to talk about this issue that is nonpolitical, based on facts, and is engaging to students.

The Institute will focus this year on the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen and will include a new curriculum on international climate solutions for grades 9-12.

Larry Schweiger

 

A recent article Warming could choke ag highlights findings that water shortages could lead to $3 billion in agricultural losses by 2050 in California if current trends continue. The draft 2009 Climate Action Team Report to the Governor and Legislature is a synthesis of 37 studies from major universities and research institutions.

Global warming is predicted to cause less snowpack, more extreme drought conditions, increased invasive species, and more wildfires in America’s West. Learn more about these impacts at Global Warming in the American West.

Larry Schweiger