Blisstree » environmental defense

How Does Bush Feel About “Cap and Trade” Legislation?

Gabrielle — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:47:32 +0000

Up until last month, President Bush had been seen as strongly opposed to any “cap and trade” legislation. But a recent CNN article reports that he may be shifting his stance on global warming and what he and his Administration are willing to do about it. In a speech he gave in early April, he

proposed a new target…for stopping the growth of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. The president also called for putting the brakes on greenhouse gas emissions from electric power plants within 10 to 15 years.

“To reach our 2025 goal, we will need to more rapidly slow the growth of power sector greenhouse gas emissions so that they peak within 10 to 15 years and decline thereafter.”

That’s good to hear, but the president still isn’t crazy about bills like the Climate Security Act, which would place mandatory caps on emissions from facilities that emit more than 10,000 CO₂-equivalents of greenhouse gas in any year. The Environmental Defense Fund reports that these covered facilities are responsible for about 75 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. According to CNN, this is what Bush has to say about that,

“I believe that congressional debate should be guided by certain core principles and a clear appreciation that there is a wrong way and a right way to approach reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Bush said. “Bad legislation would impose tremendous costs on our economy and American families without accomplishing the important climate change goals we share.”

How do you feel about cap and trade legislation? Is it the right way to address greenhouse gas emissions? The Climate Security Act is scheduled to be considered by the full Senate in early June. Are you in favor of its passage?

Image: Newscom

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How Does Bush Feel About “Cap and Trade” Legislation?

Global Warming by the Numbers

Gabrielle — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:37:00 +0000

Last month, Ali pointed you to a quiz which tested your global warming smarts. Today, I’m sharing the answers, brought to you by the Environmental Defense Action Fund, who is the lobbying arm of Environmental Defense:

45%

Increase in world’s solar generating capacity in 2005.

2

Rank of China as global producer of solar cells, behind Japan (U.S. ranks 4th).

$1.5 billion

Amount US government spends a year on renewable energy research.

$1 billion

ExxonMobil’s daily revenue.

$2 billion

Amount GE Energy Financial Services invested in wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy in 2007.

$200 billion

Amount China has committed to invest in renewable energy sources over the next 15 years.

0.74%

Projected cost of smart cap-and-trade climate policy on US economic output in 2030.

100%

Projected growth of the US economy by 2030.

53

Number of senators supporting cap and trade legislation.

0

Number of bills passed by Congress to cap and reduce America’s global warming pollution.

Want to help change the numbers? Use this link to write your Congressperson to ask him/her to support strong global warming legislation that sets a strong cap on America’s global warming pollution and rewards energy innovation and new technologies.

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Global Warming by the Numbers

Resources on Healthy, Sustainable Seafood

Ali — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 05:23:22 +0000

I’m on a food kick this year, as in trying to kick bad habits and get a healthier, more sustainable food lifestyle going. In that, I’ve been doing a lot of research. More a re-search on ideas and facts that I’ve let fall out of my daily food routine. Part of this is related to fish. I’ve always tended to eat more fish than other meats and I do enjoy seafood.

However, the oceans are in turmoil and over fishing, pollution and some nasty facts about farmed fish make this part of a healthy, sustainable diet hard to swallow. The truth is that when it comes to seafood it’s buyer beware. However, there are some great resources on how to make good seafood choices. Here are a few to get started:

Environmental Defense: This site breaks it down into three categories: eco-best, eco-ok, and eco-worst. It doesn’t get much simpler. Find out what tuna is safe to eat, what to look for when buying fish, how to avoid “fish fraud” and how to substitute sustainable picks that fit your recipe. Lots of great info here and a free download Sustainable Seafood Selector Pocket Guide. Online here.

Marine Stewardship Council: MSC-labeled fish is certified according to responsible fisheries management and practices. They are an independent non-profit set up to find a solution to the problem of overfishing. Choosing fish with the blue MSC label is an easy way to make sustainable choices at the store and the organization keeps a handy list on their site where consumers will find these products worldwide. Online at Marine Stewardship Council: Where to Buy.

Audubon’s Living Oceans: Audubon has a free Seafood Lover’s Guide available in a handy wallet card. This is a great quick reference to take on the go to stores or restaurants or stick on the fridge. Available here.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch: Seafood Watch’s mission is to empower consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans. On this site consumers can learn which seafood to buy, and why. There are regional guides and printable quick reference resources. There is also plenty of info on why your choices matter and how your choices affect your health. This is a great site for consumers, retailers and educators. Online here.

Got more sustainable seafood tips? Share it with a comment.

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Resources on Healthy, Sustainable Seafood