the environment on blast
December 13th, 2009

Tuvalu shows mettle at Copenhagen

December 9, 2009 - the day that "Copenhagen" beat out "Tiger Woods" in the rankings of hot search terms. Thank you, treehugger.com.

Ben Jervey is covering this story here and here.

Tuvalu, speaking for all of AOSIS (the Alliance of Small Island States, needs a legally-binding deal, and they want China, India, and other emerging economies to be factored into it. They’ve seen the science, run the numbers, and know that a world without limits on China’s and India’s emissions is a world in which they can’t survive.

In this meeting, Tuvalu spoke up early, asking for (again) a new contact group to discuss an amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, one that would lift emerging economic powers (and rapidly growing emitters) like China and India into their own category, with some responsibilities.  Obviously, China isn’t keen on this idea, preferring the current commitment-free arrangment. For a good 45 minutes, Tuvalu and China plead their cases, and a virtual roll-call emerged during which Parties took the floor for uncharacteristically brief comments of support. Lesotho: we support the Tuvalu proposal. Saudi Arabia: we support China’s proposal.

The US hasn’t been escaping pressure, either. Tuvalu’s lead negotiator Ian Fry led this morning’s plenary meeting  by calling out  the U.S. Senate and President Obama, urging “that the entire population of Tuvalu lives within 2 meters of sea level, that their very existence as a nation is at stake, and that he isn’t trying to embarrass anyone, cause trouble, or make a show, but merely serve the people of Tuvalu and protect their future.”

I’m cheering on Fry, for one. The Ocean State a whole lot riding on the projected rising sea levels. In this spring’s Projo article,  G. Wayne Miller describes the most optimistic real-life projection for the year 2100:

Buildings have been lost, roads displaced, parks submerged. Wells have gone bad, polluted by encroaching salt water. Septic systems have failed. Beaches and valuable coastal wetlands have disappeared. Even moderate storms now cause unprecedented damage as waves and surges at least 3 feet higher than nine decades before pack an unprecedented punch.

After the jump, learn about the effects on our shoreline here, and what protection is needed/anticipated. Read the rest of this entry »

by Libby Kimzey | Posted in Lobbying | No Comments » | Tags: , , , ,
December 8th, 2009

A Call for Green Jobs, Clean Energy, and Strong Emissions Cuts

Happy to see this post @ RIFuture! Thanks to Michael Roles.


Join us as Senator Whitehouse hears our VOICES

The Rhode Island Student Climate Coalition urges you to join concerned citizens from all over Rhode Island to thank Senator Whitehouse for his bold and important stances on climate change.  Senator Whitehouse continues to support strong legislation to curb carbon emissions, in addition to supporting green jobs and sustainability initiatives.  We will be holding a rally at Burnside Park (across from Kennedy Plaza) to applaud his past leadership – but also to remind him that our clean energy future depends on his continued bold stance. Senator Whitehouse must continue to be a climate champion, pushing for stronger carbon reduction targets and mechanisms, and more green jobs.  But, he needs to continue to pressure the White House and Congress to take hard stances on climate change and develop green jobs, as their efforts, overall, have not been enough.

While we hold this rally, world leaders will be gathering in Copenhagen to negotiate a Global Climate Treaty.  At this rally we will also be rising to ensure that the United States and world leaders understand that we expect them to do what is ethical in order to secure our future, and commit to the fight against climate change, and move forward to create a more just, sustainable world.

Please join us to stand for green jobs, clean energy, and strong emissions cuts!

Date: Thursday December 10th
Time: 5pm
Location: Corner of Washington St. and Exchange St. (Burnside Park)
Bring: Yourself, a friend, and a sign!
Questions?  RIStudentClimateCoalition@gmail.com
November 4th, 2009

BTB Pledge!

I, (type your name below), PLEDGE TO GO BEYOND THE BOTTLE BY:

Please forward this pledge to all of your friends at Brown!

Every signature brings us one step closer to ending the supply and demand of bottled water on campus.

BTB is getting people to sign the BEYOND THE BOTTLE PLEDGE! It’s super easy and supports a great cause. BTB will take this to BUDS and the administration as a sign that you want to see bottled water off campus – now. So what’re you waiting for: fill out the pledge!

if you can table at all this week, that would be so helpful! (thank you to those who have already signed up!) good luck with midterms, all! Sign up here!

also, forward the petition paige sent to ALL of your friends AT BROWN (at brown only)!

Now that we’ve gone through that, I present to you, the BTB Minutes.

Read the rest of this entry »

by Ryan | Posted in Lobbying, emPower | No Comments » | Tags: ,
October 28th, 2009

Newly Sitting Pretty in the Top 10

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy just released the 2009 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, and along with New England neighbors Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Maine, we in Rhode Island are enjoying the view from the Top 10.

Project HeatSave takes advantage of National Grid rebates for programmable thermostats

Brown's Project HeatSave takes advantage of National Grid rebates for programmable thermostats

The ProJo newsblog reports:

According to a press release, the scorecard examines these six state energy efficiency policy areas: (1) utility-sector and public benefits programs and policies; (2) transportation polices; (3) building energy codes; (4) combined heat and power; (5) state government initiatives; and (6) appliance efficiency standards. States can earn up to 50 possible points in these six policy areas combined.

The Ocean State earned 27.5 points, and moved up two spots from last year. We held fairly well in the categories of Utility and Public Benefits Efficiency Programs and Policies (9th), Transportation, Building and Energy Codes, and Appliance Efficiency Standards. On the other hand, came up short in State Government Initiatives and Combined Heat and Power.

Within Utility and Public Benefits Efficiency Programs and Policies we did poorly in the Targets subcategory. The report notes that: “Rhode Island has a legislative requirement enacted for electric and gas utilities to acquire all cost-effective energy efficiency that costs less than new energy supply as the first priority resource, placing it first in a utility’s resource “loading order” and greatly increasing the role of energy efficiency in utility long-term planning.” This was implemented in ‘06, but with no approximate annual savings target in place.

As far as decoupling, we’re the only ones in the top 10 who do not have a like mechanism in place for either Electricity or Natural Gas (our neighbors all have both).  Luckily we do have performance incentives in place for both.

In Transit, we are lacking in State Transit Funding (surprise!) and in High-Efficiency Vehicle Consumer Incentives (is that a cue for PGR?). Happily we’re one of the 14 states who joined California in adopting some dope GHG Vehicle Emission Standards.

State Government Initiatives, one of my favs. The subcategories: Financial and Information Incentives (out of 3), Lead by Example: Building Requirements (out of 1), Lead by Example: Efficient Fleets (out of 1), RD&D (out of 2).
And RI? The score: 0 … 1 …. 1…. 0. Disappointing. But still a nice time to highlight Rep Dennigan/Senator DiPalma’s Green Buildings Act this year (House Bill 5355/ Senate Bill 232). requiring that all new state buildings and renovations meet LEED Silver, including schools.

Doesn't help much to blow it up, either.

Doesn't help much to blow it up, either. At least we have a clear view of how we stand against archrival states, Texas and Vermont.

For your viewing pleasure, a nearly illegible graphic. Are you more surprised that Texas beat us or that we’re 26 spots ahead of Vermont?

The report in its entirety is well organized and definitely worth a skim for those who’ve been talking about the rejuventation of RISCC and developing some ambitious climate change state legislation, in the vein of this years Global Warming Climate Solutions Act.

2009 House 5355 Dennigan
by Libby Kimzey | Posted in Energy, Lobbying | 2 Comments » | Tags: , , ,
October 23rd, 2009

Obama speaks about clean energy at MIT!

The Pres-O-dent gave a speech today at MIT about “American leadership in clean energy”. Obama expressed a lot of interest in supporting clean energy through funding and policy, and consistently hammered down the point that he wants renewables and energy to be the fundamental driver of the American economy. Absurdly exciting stuff for a renewables geek like me. Anyway, check out the MIT press release below.

There’s a video rebroadcast of the whole thing in case you missed it.

Anticipating the Friday arrival of President Barack Obama at MIT, members of the MIT community noted both the significance of the visit and the gravity of its purpose.

Hundreds of visitors including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick were expected to be present at noon in Kresge Auditorium for President Obama’s remarks on “American leadership in clean energy.” The talk comes as Congress gears up for hearings on clean energy legislation and as negotiators from around the world prepare for December’s U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen.

Prior to speaking in Kresge, the president was due to tour a research lab on campus.

Among those planning to watch the president in Kresge was Forgan McIntosh, co-president of the MIT Energy Club and an MIT Sloan School of Management MBA student. McIntosh said he was frustrated that the battle over health care reform had crowded out the public debate over energy policy, and said he was looking to Obama’s speech to jump-start progress on redefining the government’s role in the energy sector and Washington’s leadership position in the global race for clean energy competitiveness.

“I hope Obama’s speech signals a recommitment by the White House to address energy issues on a first-priority basis,” he said.

Via MITnews

by Ryan | Posted in Energy, Lobbying | No Comments » | Tags:
October 23rd, 2009

Environmental Council of Rhode Island’s Lobby Days, Oct 28-29

Oct. 28, 2009 3:00pm and Oct. 29, 2009 2:00pm

The General Assembly made a good start on key environmental bills this year, but now they need to finish the job when they reconvene. The four bills below have already earned majority votes in both the House and Senate, but need final votes before being sent to the Governor. Join us at the State House to urge the General Assembly to get the job done.

The legislature plans to reconvene for two days.Environment Council leaders will be at the State House for those two days to help you connect with legislators to let them know these environmental bills are important to you.

RSVP to (401) 331-6972 or sdormody@cleanwater.org

Spread the word!

The attached half page announcement can be printed to share with friends, too.

Read the rest of this entry »

by Ryan | Posted in Lobbying | No Comments » | Tags:
October 6th, 2009

Consequence: Now’s the Time for Us to Lead

Hauntingly cool Ba-remix.

via Consequence09

September 25th, 2009

Flashmobs Around the World!

Hi emPowerers,

Congrats on two big successes this week: the Climate Flashmob on Monday, and the Beyond the Bottle Carnival today! Hopefully you all got to experience at least one of those. See below for some inspiring words from the mellifluous Shane:
“I think it would be nice to send out this video of the flash mob 12:18 wake-up call to affirm the great activism carried out by our new freshman members, and to remind us how connected our work is to the rest of the world…Across the globe we are concerned about climate change.”


It’s great work that you all do, and it’s worth taking a moment to celebrate our successes. Major kudos to everyone who helped out in any way to make both the flashmob and the carnival so successful!

See you Sunday evening!

Ari

Read more at: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/sept21_hub/?cl=333301469&v=4112

by Ryan | Posted in Lobbying | No Comments » | Tags:
September 25th, 2009

Get Ready, Rhode Island!

The Future of Rhode Island

The Future of Rhode Island

We in the emPower office have been hearing some rumbles about Project Get Ready expanding into Rhode Island. For those of you not familiar with Get Ready, they’re guys who help develop plug in electric vehicle infrastructure. Here’s how they describe themselves:

Project Get Ready is a non-profit initiative led by Rocky Mountain Institute, in conjunction with a wide array of partners and technical advisers. Project Get Ready will:
* Create a dynamic “menu” of strategic plug-in readiness actions including the “business case” for each action.
* Provide a web database of American and international plug-in readiness activities.
* Convene at least 20 cities as well as technical players regularly to discuss their lessons learned and best practices, and report these conversations on our website and materials.

They mostly deal with individual cities, but apparently all of Rhode Island is small enough to be considered a city. The Ocean State pulled together a few grid VIP’s to start thinking about laying the groundwork to electrifying transportation. No solid facts yet (our secret sources are pretty tight lipped), but keep an eye out for more E-Car infrastructure to start popping up in RI.

by Ryan | Posted in Energy, Lobbying | No Comments » | Tags: , ,
July 31st, 2009

Lobbyists forge letters to congress?

Should this be true, I have to say I’m surprised. Not because I think that this is morally beneath lobbyists, but because I thought that they’d be reasonably intelligent, at least to the level where you don’t pick huge, active liberal groups and write letters as them. So just in case you’re lobbying for something, don’t hire Bonner & Associates.

We know the dirty energy companies will stop at nothing to prevent progress in the creation of a clean and just energy economy, but this is a new low!

News just broke1 that Congressman Tom Perriello received FORGED letters telling him to vote against taking action on a clean energy economy from a corporate lobby firm, Bonner & Associates.  What’s worse is that these forged letter were sent on behalf of organizations like the NAACP and Creciendo Juntos (a nonprofit network that tackles issues related to Charlottesville’s Latino/Hispanic community).

Take action now to stop our democracy and our future from being compromised.

Dirty energy companies and their lobbyists are using dirty tricks to prevent a clean and prosperous energy future.  We can’t let this happen.

Demand Congress stand with us their constituents, not the corporate polluters.

Standing with you,

Jessy Tolkan
Executive Director
Energy Action Coalition

by Ryan | Posted in Lobbying | No Comments » |
« Older Entries













Powered by Wordpress using the theme bbv1