Posts Tagged ‘ Global Warming ’

VIDEO: Ready For Copenhagen, Thanks To The States

December 3, 2009
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Copenhagen Logo webWhile Congress dithers on climate change legislation, a new report says we’re actually in pretty good shape for the upcoming global warming talks in Copenhagen. The reason? The report says several states are showing strong leadership on global warming and that’s giving the U.S. a head start on reducing carbon emissions.

Although the report is national in scope, it was released locally by Environment Oregon.

Here are some of the major findings:

Capping Carbon: Six states, including California, have set caps on carbon pollution. There’s also a regional cap-and-trade program for power plant emissions in the Northeast. These efforts will cut carbon emissions by 270 million metric tons annually by 2020. Oregon tried to create a cap-and-trade system during the last legislative session, but business groups and utilities were able to kill it.

Clean Energy: 29 states, including Oregon, now require that a certain percentage of power in the state come from renewable sources. In Oregon, we’re aiming for a 25% renewable energy standard by 2025. Meanwhile, 22 states are taking concrete steps to improve energy efficiency in homes and buildings. Others, including Oregon, are looking at new rules on low-carbon fuel for cars and trucks.

States Are Leading By Example: California’s clean cars program has been adopted by 14 states, including Oregon and Washington. There’s an effort underway to make it a national program. That would mean 31 million fewer tons of carbon emissions every year, by 2020. States have also led the way on efficiency standards for appliances and lighting. The federal government is considering national standards.

More on this after the video…

The result of all these initiatives is that the United States is already on track for removing 536 million tons of carbon every year by 2020.

Meanwhile, check out the new “We’re Ready” video produced by Environment America.

Treading Water And Playing Hooky

November 25, 2009
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Ever have one of those days? You make a lot of phone calls and nobody is calling you back? That’s what I get for slacking off yesterday and trying to do some news gathering the day before a long Holiday weekend.

When they do call back, I’ll have some interesting stuff to report. But in the meantime, a few things to pass along that I should have already posted.

The climate change study was conducted in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest. Photo by Mike Gooseff, OSU.

The climate change study was conducted in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest. Photo by Mike Gooseff, OSU.

The Impact Of Climate Change On Western Oregon

Research by Oregon State University shows that snowpack in the Cascades is about half of what it was 77 years ago. It’s not that we’re getting less precipitation. It’s that we’re getting less snow and what we do get is melting faster.

Since 1958, temperatures in January, March and April have increased an average of four degrees. Spring is arriving earlier. But the study also shows little change in average temperatures the other times of the year.

“What we’ve seen the most already, and will probably see even more in the future, is declining snowpacks and related effects on stream flows,” says Julia Jones, a professor of geosciences at OSU and coordinator of the report.

But what’s not so clear is how this will impact trees and vegetation. Jones says they have some ability to adapt to changing climate. Older Douglas Fir, for example, can survive droughts by shutting down their photosynthesis, she says. “Some of them are 500 years old and have already lived through a lot of climate variability, they get knocked around all the time.”

Waldo Lake Gas Motor Ban Supported At Public Hearing

The overwhelming number of people who testified at this week’s hearing on the Waldo Lake motor ban were in favor of the idea. The Eugene Register Guard estimated that about 75% of those who testified were in favor while 25% were against.

See Story: Many Favor Ban On Motors At Waldo Lake

The Oregon State Marine Board is looking at banning all gas boat motors and float planes from Waldo Lake, but allowing electric motors. Waldo Lake is more than a mile high in the Cascades in far eastern Lane County. If the ban is approved, it would be the largest “no gas motor” lake in the state.

Interior Announces Oil and Gas Lease Auctions For Oregon

The energy industry will have four chances next year to bid on oil and natural gas leases on federal lands in Oregon. The auctions are scheduled for March, June, September and December. The Bureau of Land Management says there are more than 500 leases available representing about 775,000 acres in Oregon and Washington.

But in Oregon, auctions are frequently canceled for lack of interest. Last year, only one auction was held and no bids were offered.

VIDEO: Going To The Gore Rallies And Living To Blog About It.

November 18, 2009
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Yes, there really was a nearly naked PETA protestor painted to look like Mother Earth.

There was also a woman dressed up as a polar bear trying to convince me the species wasn’t in trouble.

The rallies were peaceful. Though I did see one man being arrested. “You broke the law when you made contact with him,” I heard the police officer scold him. “But he was in my face yelling at me,” the arrested man protested. I felt sorry for the guy. He was led away in handcuffs.

If you only went by who rounded up the most supporters, then the night belonged to the Gore protestors. I’d guess a few hundred people came to the Americans For Prosperity rally next to Keller fountain. They obviously had been preparing for some time. One of the speakers mentioned something about a bus and car caravan coming down from the Puget Sound area.

There were only a few dozen Gore supporters, not too surprising considering environmental groups only heard about the protest plans the day before.

But it wasn’t until I began to walk around that I noticed something really important. Despite the rhetoric, despite the chants, people were talking to each other. Small groups – maybe a dozen or so by my count – of Gore supporters and protestors talking to each other, discussing the issues, trying to make sense of it all. They were passionate, intelligent, knowledgeable and above all, respectful to the those they disagreed with.

Things turned kind of stupid when the Americans For Prosperity Rally broke up and the protestors walked Keller Auditorium chanting, “Gore Lies!”  This was followed by some yelling back and forth across SW 3rd Ave. None of it was very illuminating.

But those small person-to-person conversations continued. I’m not sure any minds were changed. But was good to see that despite the strong feelings on both sides, ordinary Oregonians were still taking part in an important conversation about climate change, global warming and how we move forward.

Gore Rallies Update: More Groups Turning Out Support – Critics Spreading Misinformation

November 18, 2009
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With less than three hours to go, some updates to pass along about the rallies and protests planned outside Keller Auditorium.

At least three groups plan to protest outside Gore's speech tonight.

At least three groups plan to protest outside Gore's speech tonight.

The Oregon League of Conservation Voters has joined the cause to support for former Vice-President Al Gore. Get more information on the OLCV blog page, “Drown Out The Tea Party”. Environment Oregon has sent out messages via Twitter and Facebook.

All the new posts and tweets point in one direction, the Repower America sign up page. So far, this page still says the rally starts at 6:00pm outside Keller Auditorium at SW 3rd Ave and Clay. But Andy Grow of Climate Solutions says they’re hoping people will start showing up about 5:30pm.

NOTE: Please be careful about what you read in the comment section of the blog. Some anti-Gore groups have been posting misinformation about where the rallies will be held. Until further notice, use the Repower America link as your best source.

Some of this last minute support appears to have been motivated by some anti-Gore graffiti that sprayed painted on the outside of Keller Auditorium.

At least three groups plan to protest Gore’s appearance, including MoveOnDotGore, Americans For Prosperity, and PETA.

Gore’s speech at Keller starts at 7:30pm.

Developing: More Gore Protests Planned For Today In Portland

November 18, 2009
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At least two more groups are calling for protests outside Keller Auditorium, the stage for tonight’s public lecture by former Vice President Al Gore.

Joining the anti-Gore protests will be Americans For Prosperity, a group that opposes cap-and-trade legislation. In their view, it’s an unaffordable tax on energy. The group’s President Tim Phillips will be speaking at the Keller Fountain about 5:30pm.

That’s in addition to the protest already planned by MoveOnDotGore. This group will gather outside Keller about the same time and their agenda appears very similar to Americans For Prosperity, against cap-and-trade and doubters on climate change.

Plus, according to Willamette Week, PETA plans a third protest. They want Gore to stop eating meat and prove his “green” credentials.

The Oregonian reports this morning that someone vandalized Keller Auditorium with anti-Gore graffiti.

Meanwhile environmental groups are rallying supporters to put on a counter demonstration. Repower America, Climate Solutions and Oregon Environmental Council are all spreading the word to gather outside Keller starting about 5:30pm. Get more information here.

So, PETA is promising a “nearly” naked Mother Earth, and MoveOnDotGore is asking people to show up in polar bear costumes. Could be quite show. The best seats for tonight may be outside of Keller.

But on a serious note, no matter how you feel about Gore, climate change and cap-and-trade, this is an excellent opportunity to show up and be heard. With the United Nations Climate Change conference starting in less than three weeks, this issue will dominate the headlines for some time to come.

Breaking News: Big Protests And Rallies For Gore’s Visit To Portland

November 17, 2009
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Former Vice President Al Gore in 2007

Former Vice President Al Gore in 2007

Word is spreading through Oregon’s environmental community that Tea baggers plan a large demonstration tomorrow to protest during Al Gore’s visit to Portland.

From what I’ve been told, the Tea baggers are hoping for a turnout in the hundreds, which would be pretty large by Portland standards.

Not to be outdone, the enviros are putting together a rally to support Gore, his message about the dangers of global warming and his just released book that outlines solutions.

The two events are supposed to converge tomorrow afternoon, about 5:30pm-ish outside Keller Auditorium in downtown Portland. Gore delivers a public lecture at Keller starting about 7:30pm.

The pro-Gore rally is being put together by Repower America a group with close ties to the former Vice President, Nobel Laureate and Academy Award winner. But other groups, such as Climate Solutions of Seattle and the Oregon Environmental Council are helping to spread the word.

They’re asking people to register for the event, which can be done here. The concern is that even though Portland has a reputation for being a green friendly city, the Tea baggers will show up in greater numbers. With the Obama Administration preparing for the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen next month, rallies like these carry an extra punch.

Meanwhile, tickets for the 7:30pm lecture at Keller Auditorium still appear to be available. Prices start at $52. It was easy to find a pair of tickets at Ticketmaster, but you can also buy them directly from the Keller box office at 222 SW Clay or the Performing Arts Center box office, 1111 SW Broadway.

International Climate Action Day Comes To Oregon

October 23, 2009
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You can’t say there’s nothing to do this weekend.

In fact, Saturday is looking very busy with dozens of events planned around the state for the International Day of Climate Action.

The goal is pretty straightforward, to send a message to world leaders that the we need a stronger treaty to combat global warming.  The United Nations is holding a climate change conference early December in Copenhagen, Denmark.  But organizers of the Climate Action Day say, based on what they’ve seen so far, this new treaty won’t help bring down carbon emissions quickly enough.

Here’s a brief look at some of the events.  For more information see the 350 Oregon website.

350 Awareness Rally, 1p to 3p, Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland

  • This is the big event of the day.  It’ll kick off with a performance by a traditional Japanese drum group and includes several speakers from local organizations.  Organizers hope for a huge turnout.  They’ll be taking an aerial photo of the crowd that will be sent to the UN Climate Conference. A bigger crowd, of course, means a more impressive photo.

350.org Bike Ride, Noon, Colonel Summers Park, Portland

  • A gathering spot for cyclists.

Walk From PSU, 1245pm, on campus near the north entrance to the Farmer’s Market.

  • Walkers are being encourage to wear green.

Join the 350 Oregon Coast Walk

  • Just over a month ago, a group of friends departed Coos Bay for a 350 mile hike along the coast to raise awareness about global warming.  The trip is timed to arrive in Portland for 1pm rally.  You can join the group for its final leg when the walkers depart Cathedral Park in North Portland at 9am.  They’ll be making other stops along the way.  You can find the full itinerary here.

Why 350?

Organizers want to bring global atmospheric carbon levels below 350 parts per million.  They say that’s about as high as carbon levels can go without harming the earth.

For a look at events around the globe, see international 350.org website.

The Economy Is Hurting Climate Change Bills

April 17, 2009
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Our second climate change story of the day, with more to come, should tell you something about how hot this topic has become.

The Register Guard contributes to the mix with this interesting explanation of why bills to reduce greenhouse gases are having such difficulty getting through the Oregon legislature. For starters, the poor economy is making lawmakers more easily swayed by arguments that strong climate change legislation is too expensive and will lead to job cuts.

The other factor? President Obama and the Democrats’ leadership of Congress. This argument says we should wait until Congress creates a federal system instead of going it alone.

Senate Bill 80 started out as a cap and trade bill designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state.  But after two months of sitting in the background, the latest version from environmental groups has no carbon trading program at all.  It still commits the state to reaching lower emissions goals, but gave heavy industry a five year break so it could develop a voluntary program.  The next hearing isn’t until Thursday.

Stop Global Warming Event Tonight In Salem

April 16, 2009
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Faced with strong opposition to climate change bills in Salem, a coalition of groups is trying to re-energize support with big rally tonight.

PGE and Pacific Power are fighting Senate Bill 80, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon.  The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee wrapped up two days of hearings this week.  Now we’re hearing there are behind the scenes negotiations that could lead to new amendments to the bill.  A committee vote could come next week.

At tonight’s rally, speakers will give an update on SB 80 and other climate change legislation.  Former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury will be the main speaker.  Tresa Horney of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters says they want to make sure people realize the sense of urgency behind getting these bills passed.

The event starts at 6pm at the United First Methodist Church, 600 State Street, Salem.

Climate Change Bill Returns To Center Stage

April 14, 2009
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The mother of all environmental bills is back for another round in Salem today.

Senate Bill 80, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon, goes before the Environment and Natural Resources Committee this afternoon.  The stakes are high with supporters saying it’s time for Oregon to finally take action to bring down emissions, and opponents warning it will costs billions to implement and hurt the state’s economy.

During testimony last Thursday, the representitive from PGE said it would cost them about $7 billion to meet the goals and that electric rates would increase 75-100% by 2020.  In today’s Oregonian, the utility claims the costs are even higher, putting them at more than $12 billion with rate increases of 120%.

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