It’s Getting Hot In Here

While many of my friend in the movement have been in DC and trying to mobilize for, against, or to strengthen the ACES bill t, I’ve been organizing in Minnesota as part of the Twin Cities Summer of Solutions program – you can read more posts on the programs around the country on solutionaries.net. In my work, I’m continually challenged by the persistent disconnect between the real implications of what we’re trying to achieve through bills like ACES, how most people understand it, and the results we get. This morning I wrote a blog post in major metro-wide paper – the Star Tribune – attempting to redefine what ACES means and how we should respond. I’m including it here because I think we really need to get better at saying what we’re about and why it is important.

As you read, feel free to check out the posts I’m responding to, remember its written for a Minnesota audience, and please share your thoughts on strategies to end the communications gridlock.

Article starts below here.

Continue reading ‘Reflections on redefining ACES from out in the sticks’

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 passed the House of Representatives Friday afternoon, with only one vote to spare. We owe Chairmen Waxman and Markey their fair due for getting this done – molding a bill that reduces US emissions 83% below 2005 levels by 2050 and that 217 other members of the house will actually vote for  is impressive. Its passage is groundbreaking. But the bill itself isn’t.

As soon as we’re done congratulating Mr. Waxman, Mr. Markey and the other 217 representatives on the “yes” side, we owe it to ourselves and future generations to light a fire under them, the rest of the House, the Senate and President Obama.

ACES isn’t good enough. It isn’t smart enough. And gosh darn it, people who fully understand the science and economics of climate and energy don’t like it. But that’s the sorry state of the US Congress today – even with a handsome Democratic majority, legislators are still more concerned with dirty industry’s short-term profits than they are with the long-term feasibility of our modern economy. This bill compromises our economy and our environment for political necessity. To the credit of Chairmen Waxman and Markey, the slim margin of passage tells me they compromised almost exactly as much as was needed to get this done, and not a bit more. Continue reading ‘ACES in the House: a Job, Well, Done.’

Cross-Posted from: HERE

Wow, one hell of a day! I was in DC for most of the hours of the day with many other youth(and a few older) climate activists rallying around climate legislation with the chant “we want more!”, to having a presence in the halls of Congress with the green shirts, to engaging Congressmen as they walked to the gallery, to attending the gallery to watch the vote. Time for an outburst…MAN AM I PUMPED. Here are the results of the vote.

I’m pretty exhausted, but I want to make a few comments and observations before passing out. I will add more depth to some of these later on. Continue reading ‘Waxman-Markey Passes the House 219-212!’

What YOU should know about the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act

(UPDATE) Take Action: Tell Congress It Must Do Better

Message your Representative today via Friends of the Earth

Today, June 26th, House Representatives are expected to vote on ACESA, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES Act), H.R. 2998 (formerly H.R. 2454)

Background: ACESA is a comprehensive national climate and energy legislation that climas to establish an economy-wide, greenhouse gas (GHG) cap-and-trade system and critical complementary measures to address climate change and build a clean energy economy. The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 33-25 to approve the ACES Act on May 21. Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-California) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-Massachusetts), chairman of a key subcommittee, introduced the bill on May 15, after floating a discussion draft in March.

ARTICLES of reference ABOUT the failed ACESA policy

GEORGE MONBIOT: Why do we allow the US to act like a failed state on climate change?  The Waxman-Markey climate bill is the best we will get from America until the corruption of public life is addressed

It would be laughable anywhere else. But, so everyone says, the Waxman-Markey bill which is likely to be passed in Congress today or tomorrow, is the best we can expect – from America. (continue reading)

KEN WARD: 9 damned good reasons why some U.S. environmentalists should heartily oppose Waxman-Markey

Waxman-Markey just plain sucks and we would be fools to not fight about that fact within our own ranks. I’ve no intention of trying to add to the volumes of data and policy being tossed around on the finer points of the bill. The bottom line is clear enough from any cursory summary: 450 ppm isn’t good, the U.S. ought to be calling for 300-350 ppm; the bill as presently written doesn’t even have a hope of getting us to 450 ppm if it becomes the model for the world (all those offsets, way too late implementation, dropping GFC’s and so on); and—please stretch a bit here—let’s not forget that cap-and-trade was the worst of a bad lot that everyone now touting it used to oppose, for excellent reasons. If we are intellectually honest, then there are more than enough reasons to disagree with the majority opinion here. (continue reading)

Institute for Policy Studies: Good News, There’s a Climate Bill — Bad News, It Stinks

Right out of the starting gate, the bill provides a ridiculous number of giveaways to industry — something President Barack Obama campaigned against as unfair to consumers: Upwards of 85 percent of pollution allowances are being given away for free to the electricity sector, with many of these free permits not phasing out until 2030. This means little to none of the revenues coming into the public coffers from this “cap and trade” scheme will be used to protect low and moderate households from energy price increases, as envisioned by Obama.    (continue reading article)

by Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins. Jun 26, 2009 10:00 AM
Crossposted from GreenForAll.org

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We just received word that the final House version of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) includes the equity provisions we’ve been fighting so hard for!

We now have a small window of opportunity to help pass ACES. The House of Representatives will vote today, and many members are still on the fence. Call now.

The critical equity improvements to the bill simply would not have happened without your support. In the past 48 hours alone, Green For All supporters have made close to 1000 phone calls to their Representatives.

Continue reading ’1,000 calls in 48 hours paid off! Equity in ACES!’

Cross-Posted from: HERE

I’ve written a couple of columns on the atrocities of mountaintop removal, which can be found here and here. Of recent, media and actions surrounding mountaintop removal have escalated from climbing a dragline to a massive protest just a couple days ago. How fitting then, there we have the first Senate subcommittee hearing ever on the environmental impacts of mountaintop removal mining. Even better than the Senator holding this hearing is Ben Cardin of Maryland(I live in Maryland). With this being too good to miss, and with me conveniently being in DC anyways because of climate bill-related activities, why not sit in on this firsthand? It turned out to be quite interesting, I want to highlight a few details from my attendance below. Continue reading ‘Subcommittee Hearing on Mountaintop Removal’

Guest post by Julie Erickson

All the climate buzz this week has been about the now notorious ACES bill that comes to a floor vote in the US House of Representatives today. But anyone who wants real action on climate change must remember the ultimate prize – the UN treaty to be negotiated in Copenhagen this December.

It was with international politics in mind that a group of activists showed up this morning at the German embassy ahead of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s arrival. Anticipating the Chancellor’s scheduled Friday meeting with President Obama, they put on a performance with larger-than-life cutouts of the two leaders surrounded by enthusiastic, dancing, six-foot wide green hard hats. The activists called for the two leaders to commit to keeping the international limit of warming to 1.5°C (above pre-industrial levels) and reminded them that climate

change presents an opportunity to create green jobs and new economic prosperity if we make a bold transition to clean energy.

Obama and Merkel are meeting this week and are expected to talk about what positions they will take on climate at the upcoming G8 Summit and at the UN negotiations leading up to Copenhagen. If both convey that their respective countries take climate change seriously and are ready to lead by committing to no more than 1.5° of warming, it could have a significant impact on the negotiations. While the EU has committed to keeping warming below 2°, and Obama has been an outspoken advocate for green jobs since before even taking office, neither leader has shown the leadership or made the commitments necessary for a strong global agreement.
Continue reading ‘GIANT DANCING HARD HATS WELCOME MERKEL TO THE US’

Checktheweather.net recently got the opportunity to sit down with legendary rap duo, Dead Prez. You may remember them from songs like “It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop” and “Mind Sex”. The dynamic Florida raised, Brooklyn based duo are back again with their latest album The Pulse of the People: Turn off the Radio Vol. 3. During our conversation with M1, we discussed the concept behind Pulse of the People and what makes it a “Green” Hip-hop album.

CTW:What was the concept behind The Pulse of People, What kind of vibe can listener’s expect?

M1: We wanted to catch history being made at a moment. We wanted to catch it from every angle. It is a checking of the pulse of the people at this time; from feel good songs, to hood songs, to Africa.

CTW: What are some of your favorite songs on the Album?

M1: I really love the Africa Hot song.The chorus is hot and on the hook we got people speaking in arabic and swahili. I also like Warpath we rap from the identity of police officers who murder and continue to murder Africans in our community it’s like a rock song. Another song was Summertime, really like the vibe.

CTW: What makes this album a “Green” Album?

M1: Green in many ways not only are we using this as a way to know more about ourselves the concept of green in this country has not been made totally for the african community that’s why we make songs like healthy. We also printed the album on recycled paper and included 5 hood reasons to “Go Green”.  One of the main reasons being because it’s healthy. The album was also produced by our comrade DJ Green Lantern.

CTW: Where do you see this Green Movement going for people of color around the world?

M1:Well at this time I think we have to translate it. It should hit you from a emotional standpoint, but also from an economic aspect,  African people have to get on and see it as a way of economic development. Also how it relates to our general health; that’s why we die so soon. We have to really make it relevant because we are the ones being hurt the most. We need to use this as a way to open up avenues and make it work for working class people.

(editor’s note: CTW had more questions but M1 had to dip to finish filming Dead Prez’s new video which is sure to drop SOON. Check back with us soon for the update on this story)

Visit Checktheweather.net to listen to tracks off their Brand New Album and find out the Forecast For Green Justice For All.

This blog is posted on behalf of Connor Gibson, student at University of Vermont and Greenpeace Organizing Term Alumni:

Although I live in Vermont, it took a campaign trip as a part of last spring’s Greenpeace Organizing Term http://www.greenpeace.org/got

We came from throughout the continent and beyond — from fishing communities in Zanzibar to townships in South Africa, from villages in Zambia to teeming capital cities across the continent. More than 40 youth climate activists from throuhgout Southern and East Africa traveled by boat, car, taxi, bus, train and airplane to Johannesburg South Africa for the inaugural 350Speaks Climate Leadership Workshop, organized by 350.org.

For four days, we shared our stories, learned organizing skills and planned campaigns in our countries and our communities leading up to October 24, the International Day of Climate Action. From my experience, as one of theh conveners of the workshop, It was an incredibly powerful experience to be with all of these thoughtful, excited and savvy youth leaders.

In the rest of the world, we often think of Africa as bearing the brunt of many of the effects of climate change — flood, drought, storms and disease are already increasing in intensity, frequency and range throughout the continent. That’s why it was so important for me to see that African youth, in solidarity with climate organizers all over the world, won’t be satisfied with the status quo.  Continue reading ‘African Youth Climate Activists, Unite!’