Key Scientific and Impact Results from the IPCC's Fourth Assessment—and What Has Emerged Since
Michael MacCracken, Chief Scientist for Climate Change Programs, Climate Institute, Washington DC
Warning! These are large downloads: Part I (7 MB), Part II (14 MB), Part III (12 MB).
New Icap Climate Bill Unveiled by Representative Markey
“I am here today because the chorus for change is deafening. The time for action is now,” said Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) on Wednesday at a press conference, during which he unveiled the "Investing in Climate Action Policy Act," a.k.a. the iCAP bill.
In spite of mediocre legislation moving though the Senate, Markey's new iCAP bill brings a new sense of climate reality to the House. Here are some highlights (please excuse the jargon):
- Cuts carbon 85% below 1990 levels by 2050
- Auctions off 100% of our pollution permits by 2020
- Sends direct cash-back from the auction to households earning less than $70,000/yr.
- Invests in green workforce training
- Places near-moratorium emissions standards on new coal plants
The small “i” on "iCAP” is there to emphasize the new, tech-savvy “cap and invest” paradigm. In his speech, Markey compared the bill to legislation in the mid-90's that spurred the technological revolution we're enjoying today. “We've got to take the thumb off the scale, and let new technology compete,” he said.
For more details, you can check out Rep. Markey's website.
Markey's bill shows fantastic leadership, but it also shows how much work we have left to do to push our members of Congress to a place where the policy matches the science. For example, although the bill is informed by a year-and-a-half of hearings, it does not directly mirror the science in terms of its short term targets.
Markey's bill calls for reductions of 20% below 2005 levels by 2020, which is only 7% below 1990 levels by 2020. The science demands that developed countries like the U.S. cut carbon at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020.
In addition, we need to note that there is very little room for error when it comes to building more coal plants. We need nothing short of an uncompromising moratorium on any new plants planning on emitting global warming pollution. In the meantime, we need to pivot boldly away from fossil fuels, using technologies available now, to confront our energy realities. We need to be the political wind at the back of science-based change, and justice-based politics.
Let's keep this movement moving!
Take the Audubon Climate Action Pledge today
Global warming is the most urgent threat to life on this planet as we know it, and individual actions can help to promote solutions to this problem. Everyone wants to do their part, but it is challenging to know what to do to have the greatest impact.
Let Audubon help you make those choices, and give you guidance on how to be effective. Take the Audubon Climate Action Pledge today!
For more information on Audubon's global warming initiatives, how you can become more involved, and how your chapter can qualify for funding to join in these efforts, please contact Sean Saville, National Outreach Coordinator via email or at (202) 861-2242 x 3037.
Open Forum on FPL Proposed Expansion of Turkey Point
Here are the minutes of the April 23 open forum at DTH.
Ask The Department of Community Affairs To Enforce Miami-Dade's Urban Development Boundary
On May 6th nine Miami-Dade County Commissioners approved two applications for commercial development outside the county's Urban Development Boundary (UDB) over objections from Mayor Alvarez, state and local planning experts and more than 5,000 Hold the Line activists and Clean Water Action members who wrote, called, e-mailed and attended public hearings.
Since many of the County Commissioners don't listen, we are looking to state officials to ask them to protect our quality of life, water supply, and the Everglades by enforcing Miami-Dade's UDB and denying the Lowe's Home Improvement Store and another retail center.
Lennar Corp. is now advancing a new project to pave wetlands with nearly 7,000 homes outside the UDB. These approvals tell developers that anything is for sale in Miami-Dade County—no matter what it costs citizens and the environment. We must Hold the Line!
Take Action: Create a personalized letter using the talking points and let Florida Department of Community Affairs Director Charles Gauthier and Director Thomas Pelham know you want them to Hold The Line!
Talking Points
- All residents of Florida understand the toll that sprawl has taken on Miami-Dade and other counties.
- We ask for your supporting in finding the County's attempts to extend the Urban Development Boundary to be inconsistent with state plans and residents' needs.
- As you drive through Miami-Dade County, you can see the many empty lots and blighted areas within the Urban Development Boundary.
- There is a backlog of infrastructure repairs within the existing county. Water supply and school overcrowding are the direct result of the type of short-sighted planning being approved in Miami-Dade.
- These applications increase traffic and impact police and fire response times.
- Miami-Dade County does not have sufficient water supply to accommodate new development
- Protect America's Everglades from development.
- DCA please be strong and HOLD THE LINE!
See also the Clean Water Actions website.
Addressees:
Director Charles Gauthier
Division of Community Planning
Florida Department of Community Affairs
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
Phone: (850)487-4545
Fax: (850)488-3309
Email: charles.gauthier@dca.state.fl.us
Secretary Thomas Pelham
Florida Department of Community Affairs
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
Phone: (850)487-4545
Fax: (850)921-0781
Email: Thomas.Pelham@dca.state.fl.us