CitizenSugar -- Breaking News, Together.

Front Page: EU Reaches Climate Change Agreement

CitizenSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:02:20 -0800

EU leaders have agreed on a new climate change deal, which pledges to cut carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2020, compared to 1990 levels. — BBC News
The White House is considering using money allocated for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout to help the ailing Big Three auto companies. The attempt at offering relief comes after the Senate failed to pass the $14 billion package.— Wall Street Journal

Although she's not the target of the federal investigation, Illinois first lady Patricia Blagojevich is coming under fire for statements she made in recorded phone conversations, allegedly urging her husband to withhold state funds. She comes from a political family, and her father accused her husband's administration of selling state appointments a few years ago. — CNN
The remains of a small child were found yesterday in Florida, and investigators believe them to be Caylee Anthony, the three-year-old girl whose mother has been charged with her murder. — New York Times

New Intelligence Report: US Dominance Set to Wane by 2025

LibertySugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:30:57 -0800

If you wish you could see into the future, US intelligence officials are here to hand you a crystal ball. The National Intelligence Council just released Global Trends 2025, an unclassified intelligence report put out every four years, and assesses the opportunities and problems that lie ahead in the next 15 years. One tip: Americans might need to start practicing being humble, because by 2025 the US could lose its position of global supremacy.

Other findings include:

Global warming will have a positive economic impact in Russian and Canada because it will make seasons longer, as well as increase their access to oil fields.
Russia's rise could be hindered by a lack of investment in the energy sector, crime, and corruption.
Governments in Africa and South Asia could collapse due to security problems or water and food shortages caused by a population boom of 1.5 billion and global warming.
There will be a greater potential for war in 2025, thanks to increased global competition for food, water, and energy.
The transfer of wealth from West to East will continue for the foreseeable future.
Thanks to economic growth in the Middle East, and growing unpopularity of al Qaeda, the terrorist network will collapse sooner than people think.

To see some other predictions regarding Iran, nuclear weapons, and US dominance,

Not Evil Just Wrong — New Film to Take on Al Gore

LibertySugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:30:42 -0800

The new documentary Not Evil Just Wrong challenges so-called "global warming hysteria." The Irish filmmakers behind the project believe the effort to save the planet only hurts the poor, and they hope the film will discredit "alarmists" like Al Gore.

The film presents some alleged inconvenient truths that counter Al Gore. In the trailer, the Nobel Peace Prize winner is presented as a dark fearmongerer demanding that people drastically change the way they live, or that factories close and take away millions of jobs. Those in the documentary emotionally explain that such efforts destroy industry and ultimately cost people's lives.

Do you think this documentary could change your view of global warming?

Front Page: Two Held in Obama Plot, Syria Raid Kills "Major Target," Arctic Ice Thickness Drops

CitizenSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:59:46 -0700

Two Held in Obama Plot:
Two men, being described as Neo-Nazis and aged 18 and 20, are being held for plotting to kill Barack Obama. Obama said he's not worried about the news and that it's "not who America is." The plan was to shoot 88 African-Americans and decapitate 14, symbolic numbers to white supremacists. The plot appears to have been amateurish and unsophisticated.

Syria Raid Kills "Major Target": A controversial raid into Syria has killed a key individual, Abu Ghadiyah, who was involved in smuggling foreign fighters into Iraq. Officials called the raid a "success." Baghdad has condemned the move saying that it doesn't want to be used as a launch point for attacks on others.

Arctic Ice Thickness Drops:
The thickness of the Arctic Ice dropped last year as much as 1.5 feet in some areas. The ice had been consistent for five years before hitting the 2007 minimum. The losses in ice could suggest the region has hit a tipping point — five years ago they projected the sea ice would disappear by 2080. The new data shows the ice will be gone by 2030 or 2040.

Source

Front Page: Joe the Plumber Speaks, Social Security Benefits to Rise, EU Firm on Climate Goals

CitizenSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:00:42 -0700

Joe the Plumber Speaks:
After being the star of last night's debate, mentioned conservatively a dozen times, "Joe the Plumber" has come forward. His name is Joe Wurzelbacher, an Ohio man who wants to buy a plumbing business. He had spoken with Obama in Toledo this week, and told him his tax plan would prevent him from buying the business. He said of being the example of the night, "It's pretty surreal, man, my name being mentioned in a presidential campaign." He won't say who he's voting for — if he's registered — "That's for me and a button to know."

Social Security Benefits to Rise:
Social Security benefits will go up 5.8 percent for 50 million people next year. It's the largest pay rise in more than a quarter of a century. The increase will begin in January and will mean $63 extra per month for the average retiree. The raise is double increase from January this year.

EU Firm on Climate Goals:
European Union leaders are resolved to meet their targets and timetable for addressing climate change, despite objections from some countries. Worries that given the global economic situation cutting greenhouse gas emissions will be too costly has caused some countries to threaten to block the plan. French President Sarkozy says, "The climate package is so important that we cannot simply drop it, under the pretext of a financial crisis."

Al Gore Calls For "Civil Disobedience" Against New Coal Plants

CitizenSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:45:35 -0700

At the fourth annual Clinton Global Initiative kicked off yesterday in New York City, Al Gore made a perhaps inconvenient call to action: civil disobedience. Gore, surrounded by Queen Raina, Clinton, and Bono painted a grim planetary picture:

This is a rout. We are losing badly. This is the result of a dysfunctional, insane global system pattern that we have to change.

Then his plan to gain ground on the climate crisis:

If you're a young person looking at the future of this planet and looking at what is being done right now, and not done, I believe we have reached the stage where it is time for civil disobedience to prevent the construction of new coal plants that do not have carbon capture and sequestration.

To see what he means,

Study to Examine If Climate Change Makes Fall Foliage, Leaf

CitizenSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:00:59 -0700

Now that it's officially Fall, the announcement of this new study seems prudent, timely, and worth a trip to New England. Scientists at the University of Vermont have a three-year, $45,000 grant from the Department of Agriculture to study the effects of climate change on the famous Fall foliage. It's not just a tree-hugging (or leaf-loving) move. Fall leaves, especially in the peak season of late-September to early-October, bring $364 million in tourism dollars to the state. Money, it seems, does grow on trees.

One researcher says, "It is getting warmer, and people want to know how that's going to affect this big process that's so important to us." Because decreasing day length causes chlorophyll to break down making the red shine through, scientists want to see the true effect of cold nights and warm days on the leaves — especially if the overall temperature of both rises.

As for the leaves now? "It's always great. . . it can peak in different places at the same time so you just drive around and you hit all these different pockets of the landscape, so it's always fabulous."

Source

States, Provinces to Cap and Trade Sans Federal Governments

LibertySugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Seven western US states and four Canadian provinces have agreed to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 15 percent before 2020. Proud of the Western Climate Initiative, Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger asserted:

We’re sending a strong message to our federal governments that states and provinces are moving forward in the absence of federal action, and we’re setting the stage for national programs that are just as aggressive.

So how will Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec curb climate change? To find out,

Oh Floe! Melting Ice Releases Millions of Tons of Methane Gas

CitizenSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:07 -0700

Scientists working on greenhouse gas emissions have discovered a new source of gas which is potentially 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide: Methane. Now don't start blaming the poor cows, this time it's not their stink. It's worse. Methane is currently being released into the atmosphere from beneath the Arctic seabed all because of the eroding ice cap.

These underground pockets of methane are believed to be, in the past, the cause of rapid increases in global temperatures, fierce climate fluctuations, and extinctions on a mass scale. Scientists working off of Russian’s northern coast have witnessed concentrations of methane, up to 100 times the normal level, bubbling up to the surface. To see what scientists make of the phenomenon,

Climate Change Costing Lives and Crushing Human Rights?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:30:19 -0700

If you don't get all your news from David Letterman (who lit into the subject last night), a new report by Oxfam International says not recycling or curbing your carbon footprint is effectively violating the human rights of people living in the poorest nations. The report's author says, "Climate change was first seen as a scientific problem, then an economic one. Now it is becoming a matter of international justice."

She continues, "Litigation is seldom the best way to solve a dispute. That is why we need a strong UN deal in 2009 to cut emissions and support adaption. However, vulnerable countries do need options to protect themselves. Rich country polluters have been fully aware of their culpability for many years." Oxfam is advocating a two-pronged approach including mitigation and adaptation to help quell the mounting crisis — like these Haitians fleeing the aftermath of Hurricane Ike yesterday.

Not convinced there is a pending crisis? To see what's looming,

UN Says Cut Meat to Curb Warming, UK Consumption Doubles

CitizenSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:00:06 -0700

Ever thought about becoming a Tuesday-tarian? Going meat-free one day a week is, according to the chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a personal sacrifice that will help fix climate change. The more meat-free days, the better.

Given that the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization has estimated that meat production makes almost a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions and those stinky pre-hamburger cows shoot out tons of methane — 23 times more tied to global warming than carbon dioxide — plus habitat destruction and transportation, just skipping the burger is the easiest option. But that trend seems far from ready to tip. The agency thinks that meat consumption is going to double by the middle of the century.

A group called World Farming is calling governments to lead campaigns to reduce meat consumption by 60 per cent by 2020. The meat industry isn't going to take the patty lying down. A spokesman for a pig industry group says, "Climate change is a very young science and our view is there are a lot of simplistic solutions being proposed."

How much meat does the average person eat? To find out,

Front Page: Haiti Faces Weather Catastrophe, Ice Sheet Breaks Loose, Gas Explosion Kills Miners in China

CitizenSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:00:02 -0700

Haiti Faces Weather Catastrophe:
After being hit by three storms in less than 21 days, killing 170 people and causing thousands to flee their homes, Haiti's president says the country is facing a "catastrophe." The latest storm, Hanna, could cause more destruction than the one in 2004 that killed 3,000 people. The Haitian leader is holding emergency talks with donor countries appealing for aid.

Ice Sheet Breaks Loose:
A chunk of ice shelf almost the size of New York City has broken away in Canada's northern Arctic. Scientists say it's a dramatic indication as to how much warmer temperatures are. The 19-square mile shelf is part of the 4,500-year-old Markham Ice Shelf and is now adrift in the Arctic Ocean.

Gas Explosion Kills Miners in China:
A gas explosion has killed 23 and trapped four others in a mine in China's northeast. A spokesman confirmed the explosion but would not say more. China's coal mines are among the world's deadliest with fires, floods, and other disasters killing an average of 13 miners a day.

Source

Warming Leaves Us No Choice But to "Prepare For Extinction"?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:00:24 -0700

Top scientist Bob Watson says that we need to prepare for a rise in temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. A jump that big would have catastrophic effects — it means between 7 million and 300 million more people would be affected by flooding and that the water availability in Africa would dry up by 50 percent. In other words, 4 billion people left without water, 5 billion at risk for flooding, and half a billion left hungry. Some say there's no planning for that coming shift and that humans are staring down the barrel of extinction. Or in the possible words of Chief Seattle, "the end of living and the beginning of survival." Want more science to hammer that home? To see how far this process could go, look 55.5 million years to the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, when a global temperature increase of 6C coincided with the release of about 5,000 gigatons of carbon into the atmosphere, both as CO2 and as methane from bogs and seabed sediments. Lush subtropical forests grew in polar regions, and sea levels rose to 100m higher than today. It appears that an initial warming pulse triggered other warming processes. Many scientists warn that this historical event may be analogous to the present: the warming caused by human emissions could propel us towards a similar hothouse Earth.

Are we the new dinosaur? Source

Warming Leaves Us No Choice But to "Prepare For Extinction"?

No more doomsday eco-talk! Humans are not facing extinction, end of story.

Perhaps extinction is extreme, but our world is changing in a permanent way.

This is entirely possible and more people need to use language like this to say so.

Other. I'll tell you my opinion in the comments.

Moving Endangered Species To Save From Global Warming?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:56:40 -0700

The biological community is facing global climate change with a radical plan to create a sort of Darwin-assisted species-triage program: moving threatened species to safer locations. As we heard in Al Gore's big global warming speech yesterday, warming is huge — and one of the effects is that many species are now facing extinction as the weather shifts, leading some to ask if a big move can lead to the salvation of a species.

Ten years ago, this idea was wildly opposed when it was introduced into the scientific community as data on global warming began mounting. Now, as warming becomes more acute, scientists and conservationists are seriously considering the idea of providing a one-way ticket to disappearing species.

Radical ideas are tricky, and this is no exception. There are two major sticking points. To see what those problems entail,

Gore Shoots For the Moon With 10-Year Climate Change Goal

LibertySugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:01:55 -0700

Al Gore wants every kilowatt of electricity we use to be produced by wind, sun, and other sustainable energy sources within 10 years.

Gore is giving a speech on global warming right now in Washington, but previewed his finer points to the Associated Press saying he hopes the new president will share his deadline. Though he has endorsed Barack Obama, he praised both Obama and McCain for being "way ahead" of most politicians in the fight against global climate change.

The cost of switching to alternative electrical sources could be as much as 3 trillion dollars over 30 years in public and private money. It's a spendy bill, but Gore says it will "pay itself back many times over." To see how he hopes to incite change,

Are You Hot on Global Warming Ranking Stickers for Cars?

LibertySugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:15:47 -0700

Don't be alarmed, but soon all new cars in California will have to display a global warming score, so car shoppers can make green-informed decisions. The labels will contain a car's 1-10 rating, based on emissions caused by vehicle use and emissions required to refine the car's required petroleum. A 10 ranking means the car is the best compared to its annual peers. In California, cars produce 30 percent of global warming emissions, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Dealers must already display a smog emissions score. It might be pretty tough to buy a car with a "1" ranking. Even so, would you like to see a global warming score on all cars? Source

Are You Hot on Global Warming Ranking Stickers for Cars?

Yes! Drivers need a simple tool to reduce their contributions to global warming.

No! This arbitrarily impacts the car market, giving certain brands an advantage.

Not enough! A nominal ranking will make people think they're being green.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Should Insurance Rates Be Raised With Climate Change Risk?

LibertySugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:00:24 -0700

Insurance companies have incorporated climate change assumptions into their disaster probability calculations, thus withdrawing coverage or charging staggering rates on parts of the US East and Gulf coasts. According to the Wall Street Journal, there is a scientific consensus about rising sea temperatures, and practically a consensus that the temperature is tied to greater hurricane activity. But, science has not definitively concluded how or if this will impact the US coastal area now facing rising premiums. Even so, insurers are adjusting their coverage plans in reaction to the horrific 2004 and 2005 hurricane season. The article reports that companies are treating disasters like Katrina and Rita as the norm, not the exception.Should insurance companies wait for science to make a unanimous connection between climate change and increased risk in these specific regions before they raise the rates?Source

Should Insurance Rates Be Raised With Climate Change Risk?

Yay! Responsible insurance companies must adjust now to changing climate risks.

Nay. Insurance companies are just using uncertain science to make a profit.

Forget science! High rates might convince people to stop living in dangerous places.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

No More Waiting For 500 Year Floods! Thanks, Climate Change!

LibertySugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:45:55 -0700

A government report released yesterday says extreme weather will increase with climate change, apparently vindicating Al Gore.

Twelve government agencies, making up the Climate Change Science Program, contributed to the report, which warns that Americans will see an increase in heavy rains, dryer drought conditions, more extreme hurricanes, and record heat.

Looking at hurricanes, for example, statistics connect rising sea surface temperatures and hurricane activity. Still, more research is necessary before hurricane activity can be directly connected to human actions.

The federal report suggests a need to cut gas emissions, while seriously increasing preparedness not just for tough weather, but for extreme weather before unheard of, but soon to be commonplace.

Will such a report urge Americans to step up their preparedness to fight extreme weather? Will we regret it if we ignore these warnings for partisan reasons?

Source

Al Gore's Own Warming — His Home Energy Use Goes Up!

CitizenSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:00:45 -0700

Oh, Al! It's as if I'm psychic. Just the other day we were talking about the factors that distract from environmental causes, and his royal greenness himself, Al Gore, and his energy sucking house of eco-horrors came up.

Surely with his big ad campaign with Al Sharpton telling us to green our act, he's made some changes and stopped the energy suck at his own digs . . . right? Uh, no. In fact, quite the opposite. According to the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, Al's energy consumption jumped 10 percent.

His house currently uses enough energy in a year to power 232 regular houses for a month. And this is after he spent $16,533 on eco-upgrades including solar panels, a geothermal system, new light bulbs, and better windows. Oh, and earning about $100 million dollars, a Nobel Prize, an Oscar, and a Grammy for his global warming agenda. Is this latest report a bout of bad luck or a big green monster?

Al. That's not acid rain — you're making the planet cry.

Source

Green With Ennui: 4 Ways Eco-Mania Wears Out Its Welcome

CitizenSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:30:43 -0700

Organic or local? Fuel-efficient hybrid or used car? Will your plastic water bottle kill you? And, FYI, biofuel, which sounded so smart a few years back, could destroy Asian rain forests.

Sigh. Americans have been inundated with information since environmentalism went mainstream with An Inconvenient Truth and "green" became buzzword. It's possible that weariness is what's polluting our air and a backlash is a brewing.

The New York Times calls it green noise. Too much information on constant rotation. Some of it is contradictory. Most of it is vexing. And it's all overwhelming.

But this influx of pro-environmental info isn't just overwhelming people, it could be annoying them. What makes it so counter-productively obnoxious? To find out four ways,

UK May Start Carbon Credit Trading For Individuals

LibertySugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 10:00:34 -0700

Instead of charging taxes to be used to cut carbon emissions, the British government may issue personal carbon credits. Members of Parliament are suggesting that individuals be issued annual limits for their fuel and energy use. If they want to use more, they can buy the credits from the more frugal users. The plan would reward conservationists.

The proposing committee of parliament admitted that the public would not eagerly jump on board with the program. But, the committee could not ignore the benefits. The chairman said:

Under the personal carbon trading, someone who perhaps doesn't have an enormous house or swimming pool, someone who doesn't take several holidays in the Caribbean every year, will actually get a cash benefit if they keep a low carbon footprint.

Proponents also note that unlike a gas tax, which falls heavier on the poor, this would effectively redistribute money from the wealthy to the poor.

Does the government have a responsibility to advocate unpopular laws that are in the public interest? Personal carbon trading could be the key to getting the public invested in and aware of their impact on the environment. But, is it also unfair intrusions by the government? Should governments be focused on major producers, like corporations, instead of acting like an individual's morality managers?

Source

New Study Says Warming Doesn't Worsen Hurricanes. Agree?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:15:26 -0700

A new study by high-level federal scientists may just vindicate those who doubt global warming is behind huge storms. The research meteorologist looked at the patterns of hurricanes brewing in the Atlantic Ocean and concluded that warmer temperatures will actually reduce the number of hurricanes in the Atlantic and those that connect with the coast.Since Hurricane Katrina, scientists — including the one behind this new study — have tied the rise of hurricanes to global warming and hotter waters that fuel them. Even Al Gore the climate wizard himself has tied big storms to high temperatures. In the study he argues ''against the notion that we've already seen a really dramatic increase in Atlantic hurricane activity resulting from greenhouse warming.'' The findings published yesterday in the Nature Geoscience, predict by the end of the century the number of hurricanes in the Atlantic will fall by 18 percent, and that we're merely in the midst of a multidecade cycle. Until the end of that cycle however, storms will continue to be wetter and fiercer. Critics say the method used doesn't accurately model storms — and that the number of storms isn't as significant as the severity. With hurricane season kicking off on June 1, does this study finally take the wind out of the global warming bluster? Is it one dissenting opinion that stands out for being contrary, or is it an example of truth bucking the eco-trend?Source

New Study Says Warming Doesn't Worsen Hurricanes. Agree?

Yes! It's about time someone acknowledged the cyclical nature of the weather!

I don't know that fewer storms — but worse — is a good trade off, global warming or no.

No, no, no! The environment is just starting to get the attention it deserves! This is awful.

Other. Is it warm in here or is it just the planet? I'll tell you in the comments.

Planning a Trip? 20 Cities Global Warming Might Melt Off Map

CitizenSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:00:18 -0700

Got your passport and itchy feet in search of a vacation destination? Consider this first. It's not a scared-straight story on global warming I promise — it's a traveler's perspective on how the world's climate and it's info served up like a gorgeous guidebook — and, I'll admit, food for thought. ProTraveller put together this list of 20 places that are ripe to change dramatically if the world heats up — and it's a where's where of dream vacations.

Here's part of their list, and some info that caught my eye:

Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Virgin Islands, Caribbean
Cook Islands, Pacific Ocean
Galapagos Islands, Pacific Ocean (pictured here)
Belize Barrier Reef, Belize
Red Sea Reefs, Egypt
Tokyo, Japan — This major international city is in some serious danger; its temperatures have been rising five times faster than the average global warming rate around the world.
London, United Kingdom — Scientists say that the city could be underwater as early as within the next one hundred years.
New York City, USA
New Orleans, USA
Jakarta, Indonesia — The capital city of Indonesia has already experienced serious flooding last year, which many believe was a direct result of the climate change affecting the world. With more than twenty million people living in its metropolitan area, Jakarta is a city that has a lot to lose if the global warming issue continues unabated.

With Britain already having its warmest May since 1772 and alarming weather becoming a mainstay, it's nice to be reminded of the beauty we need to take care of — sans PowerPoint. (Sorry Al.)
Source

Eco Paradox: Clean Air Bad for Rain Forest?

LibertySugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:52 -0700

A new study claims that clean air may actually be worsening the drought in the Amazon rainforest — a region whose well being impacts the entire world's climate.

The scientists found that sun-reflective sulfate aerosols, released by coal-burning power plants, bounce light back to the sun, preventing it from hitting the Earth. Add a bunch of scientific mumbo-jumbo, and eventually the buffering impact of a concentrated amount of sulfates from the 1970s and 80s led to more rain in the Amazon. But now, the reduction in pollution, and thus rain, is one more factor leading to the loss of vegetation in the region.

So does this mean you should break out the Aqua Net hairspray? Not at all. The scientists do not recommend increasing the output of dangerous pollutants, and in fact say it is necessary to continue the decrease. In addition, the study urges more action, such as halting deforestation, in order to decrease carbon dioxide emissions.

Does this study surprise you? Are scientists just starting to figure out how Mother Nature and human activity impact the earth? Does this story make you apathetic? Confused? Or inspired to heed the scientists' recommendations that we keep reducing pollution?
Source

Al Gore Ties Myanmar Cyclone to Global Warming

LibertySugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Al Gore says that the cyclone in Myanmar is a result of global warming. He told NPR yesterday: And as we’re talking today, Terry, the death count in Myanmar from the cyclone that hit there yesterday has been rising from 15,000 to way on up there to much higher numbers now being speculated. And last year a catastrophic storm from last fall hit Bangladesh. The year before, the strongest cyclone in more than 50 years hit China – and we’re seeing consequences that scientists have long predicted might be associated with continued global warming.

Gore said that because ocean temperatures are on the rise, extreme and dangerous weather is also on the rise.Critics of Gore say he's taking advantage of the deaths of thousands of innocent people to promote his political advantage. But, if he truly believes that we must address climate change to stop such disasters and save future lives, doesn't he have an obligation to speak up? If he is wrong about global warming, what harm is there in taking better care of the planet anyways? Is Gore right to tie Myanmar Cyclone deaths to global warming? Source

Al Gore Ties Myanmar Cyclone to Global Warming

Yay! He is just warning people of the danger!

Nay! He is shamefully exploiting this tragedy.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Oil Will Rule the World

LibertySugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:30:55 -0700

A recent Mother Jones article explored our new energy-centric world order, in which "the price of oil will dominate our lives and power will reside in the hands of those who control its global distribution."

The intro explains that energy lies behind front-page headlines that might seem to be about an unrelated topic. For example, energy issues can explain the current food shortage and riots. Too many acres turned over to corn for biofuels; a drought in Australia and other climate change-induced weather; China's growing middle class's desire for meat, a food which uses much petroleum to produce — all contribute to the current food crisis.

Author Michael T. Klark says there are five key forces in a new energy world order that will change our planet. Including:

Intense competition between older and newer economic powers for available supplies of energy. These rising economic powers (think China) will have to compete with the mature economic powers for access to remaining untapped reserves of exportable energy.

To see the rest,

President Bush Wants to Pass Global Warming Initiative

LibertySugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:00:50 -0700

President Bush may ask Congress to consider legislation to combat global warming as early as this week. An unmanageable web of US regulatory law, as well as upcoming meetings with world powers, has motivated Bush to take action.

Currently businesses must follow three pieces of complex legislation: the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Clean Air Act. Apparently, Bush wants to make it easier for corporations to assess and uphold what is required of them. But, according to the Washington Times, some Congressional Republicans fear runaway legislation and think Bush is making a mistake.

A debate in Congress about global warming will likely heat up in June, prior to the G-8 conference in July. We might get a preview this week, as US officials will be in Paris to meet with other world economic powers. All three presidential candidates want to increase action by the federal government. Specifically, they all endorse a cap-and-trade system similar to Europe's. It is unlikely that Bush wants to go that far, but it is still unclear what he has in mind.

What action would you like to see the US federal government take to cut greenhouse emissions and combat global warming? Do we need to streamline regulations to save the planet?

Source

Is Global Warming Used to Bully People into Paying Taxes?

LibertySugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:00:37 -0700

Los Angeles is considering a plan that will help residents fight global warming and spend less time in traffic — all for the low, low price of $90 a year.

Lawmakers want to ask LA voters to chose between an additional $.09/ gallon tax at the pump, or an additional registration fee around $90 a year. The registration fee would be higher for cars, trucks, and SUVs that produce more carbon emissions. The fee would raise $400 million a year for public transit and other programs designed to relieve congestion and improve air quality.

Opponents point out that politicians can always conjure up the vague threat of global warming as a way to convince citizens to tax themselves and bail the government out of poor budget management. Because the environment could use infinite attention, opponents argue, it is a perfect tool for demagoguery.

Does being "green" mean making costly, and open-ended commitments to improving air quality? When polluting industries brag about their empty "green-washed" credentials, is it up to everyday citizens to implement real change? Is it promising that the city of traffic and smog might make sacrifices to reduce emissions? Does it count as a sacrifice if only the poor are pushed off the roads?

Source

CNN's Founder Says Mass Cannibalism Is Coming

LibertySugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:35 -0700

Ted Turner, CNN founder, philanthropist, and ex-husband of Jane Fonda, is pretty concerned about global warming, as well as US foreign policy. Here are some highlights from this week's interview with PBS's Charlie Rose:

What will happen if we don't take drastic action toward global warming? "We'll be eight degrees hotter in ten, not ten but 30 or 40 years and basically none of the crops will grow. Most of the people will have died and the rest of us will be cannibals."
Does the US need a big military? “China just wants to sell us shoes. They're not building landing craft to attack the United States,” and “even with our $500 billion military budget, we can't win in Iraq. We're being beaten by insurgents who don't even have any tanks."
What about those Iraqi insurgents? "I think that they're patriots and that they don't like us because we've invaded their country and occupied it. I think if the Iraqis were in Washington, D.C., we'd be doing the same thing: we'd be bombing them too. Nobody wants to be invaded."

To watch the video for yourself,

How Green Is Your Candidate?

LibertySugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:00:12 -0700

Curious where each candidate stands on the environment? Grist has put together a very useful Compare the Candidates forum. The feature is as simple or as detailed as you want it to be.

Check out the easy-to-read chart, breaking down positions on coal, renewable energy, greenhouse emissions, etc. Read one-on-one interviews with the candidates all about green issues. Scroll through candidate fact sheets, which explore the candidates' records, future plans, and video to boot.

Grist, the site that adds humor to the climate crisis in order to inspire the apathetic, created the report cards. So, if you're tired of hearing the pundits break down statements made by anyone but the candidates, start getting informed about positions surrounding a crucial issue — the environment.

Source

50 Cents More Per Gallon of Gas to Save Earth?

LibertySugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:01:09 -0700

Americans say action is needed to confront global warming, but that action better not affect their pocket books. The National Center For Public Policy Research found that 48 percent of Americans are unwilling to spend even a penny more on gas taxes, in order to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.John Dingell, a Democratic congressman from Michigan, has proposed a 50 cent tax per gallon of gas. By raising the price of gas, Americans would decrease harm to the environment and become less dependent on foreign oil. The funds could be used to finance public transportation or alternative-energy research. But, Dingell's plan found support among only 18 percent of Americans that said they would be willing to pay 50 cents or more. In Europe, consumers pay anywhere from $4 to $5 in taxes, on top of the price of gas.Is it a luxury to care about the environment? Do we need a financial motive to conserve gas, and do what we know is right?Do you favor a 50-cent tax as a way to urgently halt greenhouse-gas emissions? Source

50 Cents More Per Gallon of Gas to Save Earth?

Yay! Getting off gas will help the environment and US national security.

Nay. Gas tax disproportionately hits the poor.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Southern Baptists: Biblical Duty to Stop Global Warming

LibertySugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:00:00 -0700

In "A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change," prominent Southern Baptists have announced that their denomination has been too timid in advocating environmental protection. Their new position states, "as Southern Baptists, we love things God loves. And God loves this world!" This is a pretty radical departure from the 2007 Southern Baptist statement, which challenged the belief that humans cause climate change.

The US's 16.3 million Southern Baptists are not led by a central institution, and therefore the statement does not speak for all congregations. But, the newest declaration marks a significant shift in environmental attitudes among conservative groups. More signatures can be added to the declaration at a centralized grassroots website. The declaration maintains that the threat is too serious to wait for perfect knowledge of whether, or to what extent, humans contribute to climate change.

Now that conservative leaders, who previously considered global warming to be a liberal hoax, are taking the threat seriously, do you think Americans will be more united in protecting the environment? Or, are many still unconvinced that humans cause climate change? In case you missed it, the Weather Channel founder wants to sue Al Gore for fraud! How do you think this bold statement by Southern Baptist leaders, previously skeptical of global warming, will impact those who dread global warming alarmism?
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Weather Channel Founder Wants to Sue Al Gore

LibertySugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:00:00 -0800

John Coleman wants to sue Al Gore for fraud. Coleman, who founded the Weather Channel in 1982, thinks taking legal action against Al Gore would be a great "vehicle to finally put some light on the fraud of global warming." Coleman rejects the notion that people must take drastic actions to reduce their energy use.

Speaking at the 2008 International Conference on Climate Change on Monday, Coleman sharply chastised those who further global warming alarmism. Coleman believes that the station he founded has been captured by alarmists, such as the Weather Channel’s Heidi Cullen, who has advocated revoking the license of meteorologists that believe global warming can be explained by cyclical weather patterns and not human activity.

The majority of the scientific community seems to agree that humans are contributing to climate change. Do you think there's any merit to raising concerns about global alarmism? Would a lawsuit against Al Gore help the public determine fact from fiction?

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