If anyone has any doubt that the climate movement is forging ahead after the rocky road we’ve traveled from Copenhagen to the Senate dead-end, they should just consider what happened on October 10th, 2010. The sheer mind-blowing scale of 350.org’s 10/10/10 Global Work Party shows that far from losing momentum, the global climate movement has only picked up steam in countries across the world. Indeed, despite all the political blows we’ve been dealt this past year, people rallied behind climate action like never before
Wind's moving forward – Let's keep pushing!
It’s been a great week for wind power, with the signing of the first permit for offshore wind in the U.S. and, more locally, Northrop Grumman’s announcement that they will be building offshore wind turbines in Hampton Roads. Unfortunately, the only down side is that these developments are such big news in the U.S. While exciting developments, they also go to show how far behind we are in the global clean energy economy. Last year, China doubled its wind power capacity, accounting for a third of all new capacity around the world. Their market grew over 100%, while the U.S. market grew by less than half that.
That’s why Virginia is welcoming Northop Grumman’s announcement and the jobs it will bring to the Hampton Roads area. Even Gov. McDonnell praised the project as a source of new jobs for Virginians. The best part? It is just the start of what offshore wind can offer the state.
According to the Virginia Coastal Energy Resources Consortium, developing offshore wind in Virginia would create over 10,000 jobs. There’s enough wind potential off Virginia’s coasts to replace half a dozen of your average, dirty coal-fired power plants. Furthermore, when over 100 coal plant proposals have been taken off the table since 2001, developers are actively pursuing investing in offshore wind in Virginia.
From individual climate activists to big-time businesses like Northop Grumman, support is growing for offshore wind. We’re getting to where we need to be, but not nearly fast enough. That’s why this Sunday, supporters from Alexandria to Virginia Beach will be erecting mock wind turbines with a united message: It’s time to get to work promoting offshore wind and a clean energy economy! At this crucial time for wind power, will you join us?
Inspiration we can believe in: Global climate action this Sunday for 10/10/10
Today CCAN Director Mike Tidwell was a guest blogger for Climate Progress. Here is his post:
After a decade as a full-time climate activist, I’ve come to depend on two potent forces to keep me going. One is the blogging of Joe Romm. It keeps me informed