On Tuesday, April 29th, the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a new analysis of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (S.2191). The report found the Lieberman-Warner bill would have virtually no impact on economic growth.

It marked the second time this year that one of the Bush administration’s own agencies repudiated the White House’s stance on climate change legislation. Even as President Bush continues to insist the carbon cuts scientists say are needed would hurt our economy, once again the administration’s own economic experts are telling us just the opposite - that we can both take on global warming and have strong economic growth.

The Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions by setting up a cap-and-trade system, putting a price on global warming pollution. Revenues from the program would be used to promote the development of new low-emissions and efficient technologies, helping low- and middle-income families with energy costs, and preserving America’s natural resources. The Senate is expected to begin floor debate on the legislation in early June.

The key findings of the EIA analysis:

●   The economy would achieve virtually the same rate of gross domestic product growth under Lieberman-Warner as it would leaving global warming unaddressed. The analysis projects GDP under Lieberman-Warner in 2030 would hit a level just 0.3% lower than under a business-as-usual scenario. Even with alternative, pessimistic assumptions regarding the cost and availability of clean energy technologies, EIA estimated the difference in 2030 GDP at less than one percent.

●   Electricity rates would be just 5% higher in 2020 and 11% higher in 2030. Annual energy costs could increase on average as little as $30.

●   Green jobs would dramatically expand as the Lieberman-Warner program created new incentives for wind and solar energy use. Carbon capture and storage technology for coal-fired electricity to come online by 2015.

The EIA findings echo the results of an EPA study released in March. That analysis found the U.S. economy would grow by 80 percent through the year 2030 after enactment of the Climate Security Act, less than one-half of one percent difference from projected growth without a bill. Additionally, an MIT study found the Climate Security Act will reduce spending on foreign oil by $20 billion annually by the year 2015.

So far, only one prominent economic study has attacked Lieberman-Warner - the deeply flawed National Association of Manufacturers/American Council for Capital Formation analysis. As the Washington Post reported, NAM/ACCF got to hand-pick the inputs of the study, calling its results into question.

The scale of the global marketplace for energy technologies is as large as the computer and IT industry that creates 35 million jobs globally. America should drive the clean energy revolution; we cannot afford to take a back seat.. The Climate Security Act would reinvigorate our efforts to make sure that the world’s solutions to global warming carry the “made in America” label.

The National Wildlife Federation looks forward to Senate action on the Lieberman-Warner bill, and we will work to make it even stronger during the floor debate.

Late night Friday...

This afternoon, the youth delegates got terrific news coverage of their demonstration, delivering 2.6 MILLION signatures calling for a real Bali Deal Now. They got the UK Environment Minister to join them and the speeches were short and sweet, but good and strong. I got a few pictures of them myself, by clinging to a tall fence and shooting over my head.

I’ve just come from the usual Climate Action Network (CAN) International meeting, where we discussed the key remaining issues, and how to describe in our various news releases what may happen in the last negotiating session tonight. The main sticking point in the negotiations is the same as always – despite the urgency of the situation, the Bush White House is refusing to make any kind of even vague commitment to the deep cuts that are necessary according to the scientific findings of the IPCC to avoid dangerous warming.

In service of this goal, they have enlisted Japan and Canada to make outrageous proposals, such as to go back to voluntary measures, and to lump the industrial and developing countries together. Under relentless media and NGO pressure from home and from here, both Japan and Canada are in hiding today, so we don’t know if they might be weakening, or if they are just afraid that they will.

But my assessment so far is that major progress was made here this week, with the outlines of the eventual North-South deal taking shape for all to see. China, Brazil and India have all shown willingness to move on their own positions, and they would have gone farther if they hadn’t been blown off by the Bush Administration. All can see the deal, but the Bush White House is likely to postpone making it here.

The big suspense is whether the language that has been worked out for the final decision document, to refer to the US without really mentioning them, the so-called “US Box”, can stick tonight. I’ll explain after it’s over in more detail, because the strategy is confidential for now.

The developing countries are all set to agree to the formulation in the chairman’s paper, if the US can be brought to the table.

It’s so ironic and cynical: For years, the Bush White House have been saying that the US shouldn’t move til developing countries move. So here we are, the developing countries have indicated they would be willing to move, but the Bush administration still may refuse to make the deal.

Stay tuned!!

Barbara Bramble, Senior Program Advisor, International Affairs

Today was the second-to-last day of meetings in Bali, Indonesia. The high-level ministers are here and are spending long, long hours working to come to consensus on the 'road map' for how the world will write the next global warming treaty. The U.S. delegation continues to be disruptive and frustrating to the process.

In their press conference, they said that the treaty should include mid- and long-term emissions reduction goals. The challenge is that they don't want any of the emission reduction goals to actually be included in the Bali mandate. They said that those goals are something that will be a key part of the negotiations ahead. But the range of possible goals in the initial draft of the 'road map' is not something that should be up for negotiation, because it was driven by the science. The draft language put out at the end of the day today still had two emission reduction goals in it, both the goal of peaking global emissions in the next 10-15 years and cutting emissions well below half of 2000 levels by 2050. We'll see if the language makes it through the final negotiation tomorrow.

The negotiations took a pause when former Vice President Al Gore spoke to the conference participants. He spoke to a packed room of well over 1,000 people. His words inspired the audience as he reminded us all of the threat global warming poses not only to our grandchildren's future, or our children's future, but to our very own lives because so many impacts are already being felt today. He challenged the delegates to find the moral courage to do more than what is considered politically feasible because of the devastating consequences if we don't.

He asked the rest of the world to not listen to the U.S. delegation, but rather to take the brave step of leaving an empty space for the U.S. to fill when we have a new president, and moving forward now with a strong treaty negotiation plan.

We'll see how the negotiations shape up in the next 30 hours or so and I will keep you posted!

-Katrina Managan, Global Warming Legislative Representative

The Senate just failed by a mere SINGLE VOTE (59-40) of clearing a key 60 vote procedural hurdle  necessary to pass the Energy Bill. Consequently, Senate Majority Reid and the Democratic Majority, having already stripped the bill of a measure requiring 15 percent of our nation's electricity to come from renewable sources, must now likely strip the bill's entire $13 billion clean energy tax package -- a package that was funded by closing corporate loopholes and repealing subsidies for the big oil and gas companies.

While the degree to which the bill has been watered down is disappointing, we still expect the final package to include a historic 40 percent increase in fuel economy standards and improved energy efficiency standards covering a wide range of products, lighting and buildings. The Senate is likely to take up and pass the bill in its new form later today.

- Forty senators blocked Energy Bill measures that would have closed a $13 billion tax loophole for the oil industry and invested that money in renewable energy.

- Forty senators lined up behind big oil and gas companies, instead of American families. Oil and gas companies have contributed $8 million to senators over the past four years.

Stay tuned for more updates later today...

With pockets full of cash from $90/barrel oil, the most profitable and polluting companies in the world are attempting to scare the Senate out of a sensible energy bill tax provision to fund renewable energy with about $12.5 billion from Big Oil.

Despite false claims, the proposed provision would not create new taxes—actually, it merely repeals billions of dollars in subsidies (oil industry tax breaks) from an industry flush with record profits.

While the oil industry has become accustomed to reaping these subsidies from American taxpayers, industry profits have soared, not to mention costs at the pump. Now, as the Senate considers energy legislation that would begin to chart a new course for a clean energy future, Big Oil is fudging the facts to protect its subsidies.

Americans want a clean energy future that reduces our dependence on foreign oil, creates new jobs and develops renewable energy sources that benefit everyone. This is not a matter of left or right, it’s a matter of right or wrong.

Yesterday, scientists announced that Greenland's ice sheet is melting at a record rate. The Associated Press reports that:

An already relentless melting of the Arctic greatly accelerated this summer, a warning sign that some scientists worry could mean global warming has passed an ominous tipping point.

Boulder (Colorado)-based scientist Mark Serreze says "The Arctic is screaming." He's with the government's snow and ice data center at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences.

The rest of the news report goes on to show how 2007 broke multiple records for Arctic ice melt.

A record amount of surface ice was lost over Greenland this year, 12 percent more than the previous worst year, 2005, according to data the University of Colorado released Monday. That's nearly quadruple the amount that melted just 15 years ago. It's an amount of water that could cover Washington, D.C., a half-mile deep, researchers calculated.

This holiday season, “green” is all the rage. Here are some ideas from the National Wildlife Federation for exciting ways to spread holiday cheer and do something good for the planet too.

Nature Friendly Gift Ideas: 

Bird Houses and Feeders -- These inexpensive gifts add personality to any yard and give wildlife a place to call home. Or how about a “do-it-yourself” family project like homemade edible ornaments that will make your yard look festive and feed the birds at the same time? www.wbu.com has a great product line and is an enthusiastic supporter of NWF’s Green Hour project, www.greenhour.org

Organic, Sustainable and Free Trade Products -- From coffee and wine to wreaths and flowers, many programs deliver “green” and environmentally friendly products to homes that will be a tasty or beautiful reminder of your holiday spirit. 

Green Mountain Coffee is a fair-trade organic coffee that helps protect migratory bird habitat by using shade grown coffee beans. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters offers coffee, sweet treats, gift baskets, brewer systems, and more! 

Organic Bouquet is the premiere floral resource for holiday wreaths. Organic Bouquet offers the finest floral gifts sourced from growers that are committed to the highest social and environmental standards. Each bouquet in the collection is hand selected and shipped fresh from the farm, ensuring optimal product quality upon delivery.

NaturesWineClub.com collection celebrates the natural beauty and diversity of nature. Bottled from environmental-friendly vineyards. 

Magazine Subscriptions for Kids  -- Get the kids away from the video games with engaging magazines like NWF’s classic, award winning nwf.org/RangerRick It’s fun and interactive just like Wild Animal Baby and Your Big Backyard for the younger kids.

Unplug the kids and get them connected to nature!

Adopt Wildlife or Wild Places -- From polar bears to sea turtles, symbolic adoptions offer gift givers and recipients the knowledge that the donations are being used to help protect imperiled wildlife and habitat across America. Check out the the National Wildlife Federation's Adoption Center today!

Experience Nature -- Technology can help you experience nature too. Take the new Identiflyer on a nature hike to identify the calls of 216 birds and frogs.  For the less tech savvy, NWF’s field guides are a traditional way to connect with nature. Both make great gifts! 

Green Holiday Tips:

Christmas Trees and Lights -- Buy an organic, locally grown Christmas tree. Trees provide habitat for wildlife and absorb carbon dioxide while they are growing. A better idea is buy a living tree in a pot, plant it and enjoy it for years. New generations of affordable and stylish LED holiday lights are safe and use less energy than ever. Or check out the solar powered Glow in Dark ornaments from the National Wildlife Federation’s catalog.

Save Paper -- Holiday cards and wrapping paper are two paper-heavy holiday traditions. Green your holiday this year by using cards and wrapping paper made out of recycled materials. Get the kids to make your own wrapping paper or cards. Have some fun and use recycled paper decorated with colorful holiday stamps, stickers or freehand designs for a personal touch.

Holiday Decorating  -- ShopNWF.org and a portion of the sales goes to wildlife conservation or to plant a tree. That’s a simple way to “green” your tree. Don’t forget about the classics like popcorn, cranberries and ginger bread men to give your tree a nature friendly, homey and nostalgic look.

The National Wildlife Federation brought 1,000 stress balls painted like the globe, with the message printed on them that "The Other U.S.A. is With You" to the U.N. Climate Change Summit in Bali. We want to let the world know that while the Bush Administration may oppose mandatory action to cut global warming pollution, the rest of the U.S. is taking action.

Today we spent a few hours giving out stress balls and talking to delegates from countries around the world that are negotiating how a new global warming treaty will be written by 2009. The first phase of the Kyoto Protocol will expire in 2012, so a new treaty to cut global warming pollution needs to be up and running by then, which means it needs to be signed by 2009.

Many delegates wanted to stop and talk about just what it is that the "Other U.S.A." is doing to confront global warming. The list of action by the "Other U.S.A." is long and includes 710 mayors agreeing to the goals of the Kyoto Protocol, strong vehicle efficiency standards in 12 states, western, mid-western and north-eastern regional efforts among multiple states to cut pollution, a national energy bill that is nearing passage, and passage of historic national cap and trade legislation out of the Senate Environment Committee.

The delegates were especially interested in what the rest of the U.S. is up to after the Administration spent the day in negotiations weakening the guidelines for new treaty negotiation. The guidelines (or 'road map') that are set in Bali for negotiating a new treaty will significantly shape what type of treaty is written. We need the rest of the world to work on a strong treaty, and leave space for the U.S. to join later under a new President.

The Administration is being intentionally destructive in many of the negotiating processes and if they are successful in enough of their attempts, they could significantly cripple the ability of the world to write a new serious treaty that will guide the world in how we can prevent the worst impacts of global warming.

Global warming threatens up to a third of species in the world with extinction. Global warming is already causing more forest fires, more intense storms, shifts in bird migration and many other species. It is time for the world to come together and write a treaty that prevents the worst impacts by cutting pollution globally.

Lets hope the rest of the world hears the message of the National Wildlife Federation and many other voices from across the U.S. calling for a strong new treaty.

-Katrina Managan, Global Warming Legislative Representative

Right now, world leaders, scientists and environmentalists are gathered in Bali, Indonesia, discussing global warming solutions at the U.N. Climate Change Summit. This is the first entry in a series of live dispatches from this historical meeting:

Today, two very exciting events took place here in Bali at the U.N Climate Conference. Senator John Kerry flew all the way here to meet with key negotiators, as well as to speak at a side event that the National Wildlife Federation was a sponsor of as a member of the US Climate Action Network (USCAN). He spoke to a packed room of people from all over the world, even the aisles were full! He told everyone about the many ways that the U.S. is taking action, including the recent passage of the Lieberman-Warner bill in the environment committee.

Simultaneously and just upstairs, Senator John Kerry, Senator Lieberman and Senator Warner's staff were giving a briefing on their bill and the action happening in the Senate. Their room was packed to the point of overflowing as well. The many participants in Bali, and from around the world were eager to hear about the action the U.S. is taking.

The negotiations about the final 'decision document' moved along slowly. I"ll keep this space posted as more develops in the negotiations later in the week!

-Katrina Managan, Global Warming Legislative Representative

It is a historic moment. Today, the House of Representatives passed its version of the Energy Bill by a vote of 235-181. The Energy Bill includes the first Congressional overhaul of fuel economy standards since 1975, the time of the first consumer computers. The Bill raises fuel economy standards 40 percent, will save consumers $40 billion a year at the pump, and does so while speeding industry transition and building American jobs. It sets a precedent that sound environmental protection and sound economic policy go hand in hand.

This news comes on the heels of yesterday's action in the U.S. Senate, where the bipartisan Lieberman-Warner Climate Stewardship Act passed out of committee with a vote of 11-8.

Combined, these two exciting developments mark a turning point on action to confront global warming and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.

Learn more about Congress and Global Warming!