New Era of U.S. Climate Leadership Starts Saturday

Years from now when historians look back for a turning point in America’s efforts to address the global climate crisis, they could very well point to 2011 as the year when it happened. This might seem counterintuitive after an election which saw a wave of climate-change deniers sweep into Congress, but that’s only if you’re looking for the leadership to come from Washington. If you consider the plans that are afoot right here in Maryland, it’s a different story altogether.

Without a doubt, a climate-denier controlled Congress likely closes the door on a federal climate bill for the next two years, but it certainly does not close the door on state legislation that could spur national-level action. A lack of federal leadership on climate change is hardly something new Continue reading

350 eARTh takes art to a new height

This week, 350.org takes on its latest endeavor — the first-ever art installation viewable from space! This project is also the world’s first global climate art project. At more than a dozen sites across the globe, citizens and artists will join forces to to create massive public art displays to show how climate change is already impacting our world as well as offer visions of how we can solve the crisis. Each art installation will be large enough to be seen from space and documented by satellites generously provided by DigitalGlobe.

350 EARTH will be the first-ever global scale group show on the front line of climate change

2,011 Mid-Atlantic Students to Power Shift!

Watch out Capitol Hill. A little over four months from now thousands of youth from across the country will once again descend on DC for POWER SHIFT!

Power Shift 2007 and 2009 were huge successes and life changing for the attendees. Thousands of students left the conference empowered and inspired. We made headlines with the largest lobby day on a single issue in history. We showed that our generation cares about clean energy, healthy communities, and creating good green jobs. After the mid-term elections it is clear we still have work to do. We’re angry about corporate power, about climate deniers being in office, about our future being put at risk. Together we’ll create a Power Shift by coming together behind new campaigns, training one another, supporting community projects, and making our voices heard in Washington, DC at Power Shift 2011!

You heard it here first: the Mid-Atlantic region is bringing 2011 youth to Power Shift! Last night a dozen youth leaders converged over the phone for the first of many discussions on how to make that happen. Want to join the team? Sign up here.

The environment needs leadership

This letter to the editor appeared in the Annapolis Capital Gazette.

As an environmental advocate and lifelong Marylander, I was heartened to see strong environmental candidates prevail in many of Tuesday’s races throughout the state. However, conservationists didn’t fare so well across the country. Money from oil and coal companies lines the pockets of many of our newest members of Congress, dozens of who deny the reality of climate change.

The GOP is the only political party in the world that includes climate change denial as a fundamental component of its political platform. Republican legislators don’t just oppose climate action – they oppose the very idea of climate change. These individuals equate science and religion – they believe what they like and reject the rest. This denial persists despite the fact that anthropogenic climate change is one of the most agreed-upon theories in science. Consequently, strong federal climate change and clean energy legislation will likely be stalled for at least the next two years.

We must do at the state level what Congress will not – move away from dangerous and dirty fossil fuels in lieu of clean energy alternatives. Maryland should develop its substantial offshore wind power potential as soon as possible in a show of leadership.

Offshore wind has the potential to bring thousands of well-paying jobs to our state, while providing the equivalent of two-thirds of the state’s current electricity needs. Environmental and labor groups, as well as Governor O’Malley have already pledged their support for Maryland offshore wind. I encourage my fellow Marylanders to reach out to their state representatives to pledge their support as well. The Free State already boasts some of the nation’s most stalwart environmental laws. It’s time that we also take the lead on clean offshore power.

JAMIE NOLAN
Trappe

The writer is Communications Director for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

Drought Disaster

Governor McDonnell and Attorney General Cuccinelli are making a name for themselves on the national climate denier scene. They’ve engaged Virginia in a lawsuit against the EPA and have gone as far as accusing leading scientist Michael Mann of fraud by seeking public funding for his research. So the irony was not lost when Gov. McDonnell yesterday announced that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has designated 59 counties as primary natural disaster areas because of the excessive heat we’ve seen in 2010. Farms in this area Continue reading

Where's Bob on Wind?

Hey, Governor McDonnell, are you serious about renewable energy sources like wind and solar, or are you just pulling our leg? I mean, you won’t even commit just $400 to power the Governor’s Mansion with renewable energy in 2011. What’s the deal??

Yes, you read that right. We asked the Governor to buy renewable energy credits as a symbolic gesture that he was leading the Commonwealth towards a future that includes an increased emphasis on clean energy, but he won’t do it. Continue reading