We must end the tyranny of oil in our time. This immediate danger is eclipsed only by the longer-term threat from climate change, which will lead to devastating weather patterns, terrible storms, drought, conflict, and famine. That means people competing for food and water in the next fifty years in the very places that have known horrific violence in the last fifty: Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. That could also mean destructive storms on our shores, and the disappearance of our coastline.

We understand that climate change is not just an economic issue or an environmental concern– this is a national security crisis.

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EPA Moves to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions as U.N. Climate Conference Begins

December 7, 2009

Today the Environmental Protection Agency finalized its “endangerment finding” on greenhouse gas emissions, formally declaring that carbon and other pollutants are harmful to the public’s health and welfare. The finding lays the groundwork for the future regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from mobile (e.g. transportation) and stationary (e.g. power plants, factories) sources.

From Politico:

"The threat is real,” Jackon said. “Climate change has now become a household issue.”

Monday’s ruling forces the EPA to begin mandating greenhouse gas emissions reductions from industrial polluters like power plants, factories, and auto makers. The EPA, Jackson said, “is now authorized and obligated to make reasonable efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Energy Act.”

The EPA announcement comes two and half years after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the Bush administration to reconsider whether greenhouse gas emissions are pollutants. The EPA then ruled that the emissions endangered public welfare, but the White House refused to sign off on the decision, leaving it in regulatory limbo until the Obama administration took office last January.

Today was also the first day of the U.N. Climate Conference. Hundreds of delegates from around the world gathered in Copenhagen to hammer out the details of a future climate accord:

From the New York Times:

A much-anticipated global meeting of nearly 200 nations — all seeking what has so far been elusive common ground on the issue of climate change — began here on Monday with an impassioned airing of what leaders here called the political and moral imperatives at hand.

“The clock has ticked down to zero,” said the United Nations’’ climate chief, Yvo de Boer. “After two years of negotiation, the time has come to deliver.”

From now until Dec. 18, delegates will try to hammer out some of the most vexing details involved in the pursuit of a global climate accord.

While the critical action will unfold much later in the process, when higher-level ministers and, ultimately, heads of state arrive, the opening day of the conference was an opportunity for the United Nations to nurture a sense of mission and for delegates to begin staking out their positions…

President Obama to Attend Copenhagen Climate Talks

November 25, 2009

The White House announced today that President Obama will travel to Copenhagen on Dec. 9 to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in order to work with the international community to drive progress toward a comprehensive and operational Copenhagen accord. The White House also announced that President Obama is prepared to put on the table a U.S. emissions reduction target in the range of 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.

The Washington Post reported that the announcement provides "new momentum" for the talks, saying:

Obama's decision to attend -- and commit to an emission reduction target -- prompted an outpouring of support from the environmental community and its Democratic allies ...

Senate Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry (D-Mass.), who is working to fashion a bipartisan compromise climate bill along with Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), said the administration's decision to put specific climate goals on the table at the United Nations-sponsored talks amounts to "a global game changer with big reverberations here at home."

"The Obama administration is now undeniably mustering bonafide leadership on climate change, not merely departing from Bush administration intransigence and ideology," Kerry said. "By announcing a provisional target, contingent on the support of Congress, the president has defined a path to an international agreement that challenges the developed and developing nations of the to fulfill their obligations.

Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America, said it marked the first time Obama has "signaled that he's ready to roll up his sleeves to make a climate change deal happen."

Underscoring President Obama’s commitment to American leadership on clean energy and combating climate change, the White House also announced today that a host of Cabinet secretaries and other top officials from across the Administration will travel to Copenhagen for the conference. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson are all scheduled to attend, along with Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, and Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner.

President Obama Addresses the United Nations General Assembly

September 23, 2009

Yesterday, President Obama addressed the UN Climate Change Summit in New York where he called on world leaders to pursue policies that allow economies to grow without endangering our planet. He recognized that "mankind has been slow to respond or even recognize the magnitude of the climate threat," but called it a new day -- noting that we have "done more to promote clean energy and reduce carbon pollution in the last eight months than at any other time in our history."

This morning, in his first address to the UN General Assembly, President Obama talked about the climate threat again – calling the “preservation of our planet” one of the “four pillars that are fundamental to the future we want for our children.” The President said the United States was committed to new era of global engagement and called on world leaders to share responsibility for managing some the world’s largest challenges: climate, nuclear proliferation, violent extremism and economic recovery.

Here’s an excerpt from his remarks about climate change:

Third, we must recognize that in the 21st century, there will be no peace unless we make take responsibility for the preservation of our planet.

The danger posed by climate change cannot be denied, and our responsibility to meet it must not be deferred. If we continue down our current course, every member of this Assembly will see irreversible changes within their borders. Our efforts to end conflicts will be eclipsed by wars over refugees and resources. Development will be devastated by drought and famine. Land that human beings have lived on for millennia will disappear. Future generations will look back and wonder why we refused to act – why we failed to pass on intact the environment that was our inheritance.

That is why the days when America dragged its feet on this issue are over. We will move forward with investments to transform our energy economy, while providing incentives to make clean energy the profitable kind of energy. We will press ahead with deep cuts in emissions to reach the goals that we set for 2020, and eventually 2050. We will continue to promote renewable energy and efficiency – and share new technologies – with countries around the world. And we will seize every opportunity for progress to address this threat in a cooperative effort with the whole world.

Those wealthy nations that did so much to damage the environment in the 20th century must accept our obligation to lead. But responsibility does not end there. While we must acknowledge the need for differentiated responses, any effort to curb carbon emissions must include the fast-growing carbon emitters who can do more to reduce their air pollution without inhibiting growth. And any effort that fails to help the poorest nations both adapt to the problems that climate change has already wrought – and travel a path of clean development – will not work.

It is hard to change something as fundamental as how we use energy. It’s even harder to do so in the midst of a global recession. Certainly, it will be tempting to sit back and wait for others to move first. But we cannot make this journey unless we all move forward together. As we head into Copenhagen, let us resolve to focus on what each of us can do for the sake of our common future.

Sarah Palin's Flip-Flop on Cap-and-Trade

July 20, 2009

Since Sarah Palin announced that she’d be resigning her post as Alaska’s governor (16 month early) a couple of weeks ago, she’s made it clear that she plans to spend more time traveling around the lower 48 states. True to task, on Tuesday Palin had an oped in the Washington Post articulating her opposition to President Obama’s energy plan which includes a cap-and-trade program that would allow industrial sources to buy and sell pollution permits.

But it looks like she’s a little unclear on what her policy positions are. During the campaign, Palin-McCain campaign literature (check it out below) and the candidate herself sang a totally different tune.

McCain-Palin said climate change was one of our biggest challenges:

NOW: She doesn’t even mention climate change her piece in the Post.

McCain-Palin proposed a market based cap-and-trade program to address climate change:

THEN: “They [McCain-Palin] have proposed a cap-and-trade system that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions while encouraging the development of low-cost compliance options. A climate cap-and-trade mechanism would set a limit on greenhouse gas emissions and allow entities to buy and sell rights to emit, similar to the successful acid rain trading program of the early 1990s. The key feature of this mechanism is that it allows the market to decide and encourage the lowest-cost compliance options.”

NOW: Palin wants to “…responsibly tap the resources that God created right underfoot on American soil” and drill in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

McCain-Palin said a market-based system would strengthen our economy:

NOW: Palin claims, cap-and-trade (which is part of President Obama’s plan) “…is an enormous threat to our economy. It would undermine our recovery over the short term and would inflict permanent damage.”

Palin has been spending more time in the lower 48. Maybe she's been taking lessons from Mitt Romney?

Climate Change, Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency

June 29, 2009

Friday night the House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act 219 to 212. Only eight Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Here’s an excerpt from the grist.org article about the vote:

"'Today the House has passed the most important energy and environment bill in our nation’s history,' said Ed Markey (D-Mass.), who co-authored the bill with Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.).

“…President Obama immediately praised the passage of the bill on Friday night, and called on the Senate to follow suit. ‘Today the House of Representatives took historic action with the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act,” said Obama. 'It’s a bold and necessary step that holds the promise of creating new industries and millions of new jobs, decreasing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil. Now it’s up to the Senate to take the next step.'”

You can read the President’s full remarks and watch his weekly address “Opening the Door to a Clean Energy Economy” below.

The fight to pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation looks like it’s gearing up to be a fight about embracing a clean energy future, or getting stuck in the past; about denying the false argument the GOP has been pushing that we have to choose between doing something good for our environment or good for our economy.

Today, President Obama and Energy Secretary Chu announced aggressive actions to promote energy efficiency that will save American consumers up to $4 billion dollars annually by 2012. Secretary Chu said:

“When it comes to saving money and growing our economy, energy efficiency isn’t just low hanging fruit; it’s fruit laying on the ground. The most prosperous, competitive economies of the 21st century will be those that use energy efficiently. It’s time for America to lead the way.”

The actions announced today include:

-- Major changes to energy conservation standards for numerous household and commercial lamps and lighting equipment. (Seven percent of all energy consumed in the United States is for lighting.)

-- The announcement of a $346 million investment from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand and accelerate the development, deployment, and use of energy efficient technologies in all major types of commercial buildings as well as new and existing homes. (Residential and commercial buildings consume 40 percent of the energy and represent 40 percent of the carbon emissions in the United States.) Funded projects include: advanced building research, solid state lighting research & development, and expanding ENERGY STAR to accelerate development of energy efficient products and expand the ENERGY STAR brand into new areas.

You can more about the new standards in the Washington Post article on the announcement.

American Clean Energy and Security Act Goes to Full House Vote Tomorrow

June 25, 2009

As we’ve been talking about all week, the House is expected to vote tomorrow on the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

President Obama made another strong statement in the Rose Garden today, urging Democrats and Republicans alike to seize the opportunity to create a new clean energy economy and come together to support the bill. Governor Tim Kaine also released a statement this morning (posted earlier by Jonah), and this afternoon, OFA launched a web page urging people to call their members of Congress before tomorrow’s vote to ask them to support the legislation. Have you told your representative where you stand?

According to a Washington Post/ABC poll released this morning, three-quarters of Americans think the federal government should regulate the release of climate-change causing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, cars and factories.

Meanwhile, House Republicans led by John Boehner (OH) and Mike Pence (IN) have resorted to scare tactics and false information in an attempt to stop ACES from passing. The “Party of No” is denying science, delaying progress and siding with the oil and coal lobby, instead of acting in the best interests of the American people.

UPDATE (by Cloe): Here's an excerpt of the President's remarks from the Rose Garden:

"...Now, make no mistake -- this is a jobs bill. We're already seeing why this is true in the clean energy investments we're making through the Recovery Act. In California, 3,000 people will be employed to build a new solar plant that will create 1,000 jobs. In Michigan, investments in wind turbines and wind technology is expected to create over, 2,600 jobs. In Florida, three new solar projects are expected to employ 1,400 people.

"The list goes on and on, but the point is this: This legislation will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy. That will lead to the creation of new businesses and entire new industries. And that will lead to American jobs that pay well and can't be outsourced.

"...I can't stress enough the importance of this vote. I know this is going to be a close vote, in part because of the misinformation that's out there that suggests there's somehow a contradiction between investing in clean energy and our economic growth. But my call to those members of Congress who are still on the fence, as well as to the American people, is this: We cannot be afraid of the future, and we can't be prisoners of the past. We've been talking about this issue for decades, and now is the time to finally act."

Kaine Strongly Urges House to Pass Historic Bill and Help Jumpstart Our Clean Energy Economy, Create Jobs

June 25, 2009

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement in anticipation of a full House of Representatives vote this Friday on the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

“Today I call on the House of Representatives to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act, landmark legislation supported by President Obama that will transform the way we use and produce energy in America . The passage of this bill represents the next step towards an energy plan that will help fuel a lasting economic recovery, break our dependence on foreign oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create a framework of clean energy incentives to create millions of good, green new jobs.

“This bill represents months of extraordinary effort on behalf of our Democratic leaders in Congress, including Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, and his committee’s members, including Congressmen Ed Markey, John Dingell and Rick Boucher, as well as Charlie Rangel, the Chair of Ways and Means, and Collin Peterson, the Chair of the Agriculture Committee. Under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer, remarkable work has been done to get this bill to the floor.

“The House has the opportunity to make history when the bill comes to vote on Friday – to move us closer to independence from Middle East oil, to jumpstart our clean energy economy, and to finally address the dangerous carbon pollution that threatens our planet. As President Obama has said, passing this bill is extraordinarily important for our country and I strongly urge members of the House of Representatives to come together and pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act.”

Our Clean Energy Economy

June 25, 2009

With a full House vote expected this week on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (or Waxman-Markey), all eyes turn to the nation’s energy policy. President Obama is committed to an energy plan that will generate millions of new jobs, break our dependence on foreign oil, reduce the threat of dangerous carbon pollution and restore America’s role as a global leader in the clean energy industry.

As part of “Energy Week”, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis were at events in Michigan, Tennessee and Arkansas today highlighting the President’s commitment to passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation. Earlier this week, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson were in New Jersey, Oklahoma and Colorado.

Yesterday, the White House released a new web video featuring Van Jones, the Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. The video demonstrates how weatherizing homes will be a major source of new jobs. Watch it below, and be sure to watch for the House vote on Friday.

Iran, Energy Legislation and Health Care Reform at President Obama’s Press Conference

June 24, 2009 -

Monday President Obama signed historic tobacco legislation, yesterday the President held a press conference where he addressed the situation in Iran, energy legislation currently pending in the House and the urgent need for health care reform. 

On Iran:

“…The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, the beatings, and imprisonments of the last few days. I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost.

“I've made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not interfering with Iran's affairs. But we must also bear witness to the courage and the dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society. And we deplore the violence against innocent civilians anywhere that it takes place.

“…As I said in Cairo, suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people have a universal right to assembly and free speech. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect those rights and heed the will of its own people. It must govern through consent and not coercion. That's what Iran's own people are calling for, and the Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government.”

On energy:

”…This week, the House of Representatives is moving ahead on historic legislation that will transform the way we produce and use energy in America. This legislation will spark a clean energy transformation that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and confront the carbon pollution that threatens our planet.

“This energy bill will create a set of incentives that will spur the development of new sources of energy, including wind, solar, and geothermal power. It will also spur new energy savings, like efficient windows and other materials that reduce heating costs in the winter and cooling costs in the summer.

“…The nation that leads in the creation of a clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the 21st century's global economy. That's what this legislation seeks to achieve -- it's a bill that will open the door to a better future for this nation. And that's why I urge members of Congress to come together and pass it.”

On health care:

”…There's no doubt that we must preserve what's best about our health care system, and that means allowing Americans who like their doctors and their health care plans to keep them. But unless we fix what's broken in our current system, everyone's health care will be in jeopardy. Unless we act, premiums will climb higher, benefits will erode further, and the rolls of the uninsured will swell to include millions more Americans. Unless we act, one out of every five dollars that we earn will be spent on health care within a decade. And the amount our government spends on Medicare and Medicaid will eventually grow larger than what our government spends on everything else today.

”When it comes to health care, the status quo is unsustainable and unacceptable. So reform is not a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you haven’t already, check out the new Health Care Stories for America tool over at . You can share a story, find a story and vote for the stories you find most compelling.

Clean Energy, Green Jobs and Climate

June 23, 2009

The Obama Administration is dispatching cabinet secretaries and senior officials around the country this week to highlight the need for comprehensive energy legislation that makes us more energy independent, reduces climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions and creates millions of green jobs.

The bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (also known as Waxman-Markey), was passed out of committee a couple of weeks ago – it could be voted on in the full House as early as this week.

In the lead up to the vote a diverse coalition of stakeholders have ramped up their efforts to build support for the bill. Late last week, the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, the Center for American Progress (CAP), Green for All and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released two reports that outline how investments in a clean-energy economy will produce significant economic and job creation benefits.

-- The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy: How the Economic Stimulus Program and New Legislation Can Boost U.S. Economic Growth and Employment: Report explains how the investment of $150 billion annually, through public spending and private investment, would produce a net gain of 1.7 million new jobs. CAP compiled state-by-state fact sheets of clean energy jobs creation.

-- Green Prosperity: How Clean-Energy Policies Can Fight Poverty and Raise Living Standards in the United States: Report shows that shifting from traditional fossil fuel to clean energy will improve the standard of living for millions of Americans across all skill and education levels, especially among lower-income families.

In Case You Missed It: Last week, the White House also released a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) about the potential impact of climate change in the United States. The report lays out – in layman’s terms – how failure to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will result in significant changes to temperatures, rainfall patterns and sea level. Grist.org had a good round up.