The Real Cost of Our High CO2 Emissions Lifestyle
Germanwatch has produced a short film about Carbon Debt–whereby developing countries pay, through climate change impacts, for the Carbon-intensive lifestyles of developed countries. It’s one of the greatest challenges of our time, and one of the reasons that a truly global deal in Copenhagen is so important.
“If global justice means anything”, rich West must make deeper emissions cuts
“Carbon offsetting makes sense if you are seeking a global cut of 5% between now and for ever. It is the cheapest and quickest way of achieving an insignificant reduction. But as soon as you seek substantial cuts, it becomes an unfair, impossible nonsense, the equivalent of pulling yourself off the ground by your whiskers. Yes, let us help poorer nations to reduce deforestation and clean up pollution. But let us not pretend that it lets us off the hook.”
Jim Hansen Blames Waxman-Markey Climate Bill for US Failure to Get Necessary Emissions Targets at G-8 Summit
With a workable climate bill in his pocket, President Obama might have been able to begin building that global consensus in Italy, but it didn’t take long for the counterfeit climate bill known as Waxman-Markey to push back against President Obama’s agenda to achieve meaninful greenhouse gas targets
The Future of Carbon Pricing
George Heyman of the Sierra Club of BC says while the Campbell Government should be acknowledged for its leadership on the carbon tax, it must also do away with contradictory policies. “This Government also continues to promote oil and gas development, the transportation of dirty fuels across the north and down the coast that comes from Alberta and encourages the building of roads which encourages people to take more vehicles on the roads and emit more carbon.” Heyman adds the revenue from the carbon tax should go toward public transit and other green initiatives, instead of cuts to other taxes that make the policy revenue-neutral.
Our Planet, on Climate Life Support
Efforts are underway by a coalition of environmental, climate and other groups to mount an effort to build support for several strengthening amendments to this bill on the House floor. Groups involved are 1Sky, Environment America, Sierra Club, MoveOn, Green for All, ACORN, Oxfam, USAction, Health Care Without Harm, Democracia Ahora and Rock the Vote. This effort is certainly called for and should be supported.
The View From Across the Potomac River
Even as it stands now, the Waxman-Markey bill will fall far short of action needed by the US Government to assure a strong and effective conclusion to the UN Copenhagen Climate Conference in December.
An Analysis of the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill
On May 21st, following months of work, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACESA), a 932-page piece of climate legislation. There have been mixed reactions from environmental and climate groups, but most groups are in agreement that it needs to be strengthened going forward. For some groups the problems they see with the bill have led to their public withdrawal of support. These groups include Greenpeace USA, Public Citizen and Friends of the Earth. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network also does not support the bill in current form.
Obama Insists on Cap and Trade Legislation
Under pressure from the Obama administration, the House Energy and Commerce Committee has put forward its proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the US. The plan calls for the creation of a cap and trade market, as the mechanism to begin reduing the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions. But James Handley from the Carbon Tax Center believes that cap and trade is the wrong way to go in general.
Endangerment Finding Could Give Obama the Tool He Needs to Control Climate Change
The Endangerment Finding could give Obama sweeping authority to decide how to reduce global warming pollution from power plants, vehicles, and other sources, how much, and how fast.
‘Cap and Dividend’ to Cut Carbon Dioxide Emissions: A Canadian Perspective
British Columbia can become a global leader in promoting a ‘Cap and Dividend’ solution that acknowledges the need for urgent action based on the most recent science, ensures BC’s carbon reduction targets will be met and equitably helps all B.C. residents erase our collective carbon footprint.
