Make a Lame Duck out of Drake, says Daily Press

Over the weekend, Virginian newspaper The Daily Press lambasted Rep. Thelma Drake (R-2nd) for her measly LCV lifetime score of 10 percent. Benjamin Cuker, a professor of marine and environmental science at Hampton University, wrote:

"Drake mined $149,710 from the energy/natural resources (mostly oil) industries, motored away with $210,641 from the transportation sector, and harvested $99,975 from agribusiness. These contributors all profit from the environmental degradation that they cause, and they apparently can count on Drake to facilitate their polluting ways."

Don't you just love a scientist who has fun with metaphors?

Friday Funny - March 28, 2008

illustration by LCV communications intern Courtenay Lewis

Fred Krupp's New Book Hopeful for Future

Today Environmental Defense’s President Fred Krupp described to Environment and Energy News how legislation signed by President Bush to lessen air pollution spawned an escalation in innovative clean energy technology. However he was referring to the first President Bush’s signing of the Clean Air Act Amendment in 1990, which created incentives for companies to invest in technologies that would lessen acid rain. Krupp compares that past success with the potential of today’s American entrepreneurs to become billionaires by introducing forms of clean green technology to the $600 energy sector.

Krupp and journalist Miriam Horn have just released what Al Gore calls a “fascinating book” entitled “Earth: The Sequel - The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming.” The book details why there are reasons to be hopeful about the energy future, and discourages people from doom and gloom pessimism about looming environmental catastrophes. In his interview, Krupp says that people feeling powerless is “the biggest obstacle to [their] participating in our democracy.”

China and America's Intricate Relations

American critics of mandatory emission caps in the U.S. often point fingers at China, which will soon overtake America as the country to release the most greenhouse gases per year. However, some of China's leaders argue that America is responsible for many of the gases that China emits as well.

Yesterday, when speaking to a group of climate policy experts, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong said that America and Europe's consumption of cheap Chinese merchandise greatly contributes to China’s emissions. "We are emitting greenhouse gas on your behalf," Zhou said in a speech sponsored by the World Environment Center. "We are polluting the air in China so you can enjoy the products we are making."

Meanwhile, the United States is importing something into China that is less tangible than clothes and toys: ideals about western wealth and the luxuries associated with it. The Worldwatch Institute reports that SUVs- which are widespread in the United States- are becoming increasingly popular amongst China’s wealthy. Last year, SUV sales went up by 58% from 2006 in China. This trend is in spite of the fact that SUVs emit far more greenhouse gases than smaller vehicles, and that recent studies show that only one percent of the air inhaled by 577 million urban Chinese meets the European Union’s air quality standards.

American politicians like John McCain maintain that America should only cap its pollution if China does the same. Ambassador Wenzhong argues that if China is to reduce its emissions, Americans will have to curb some of their own habits like buying masses of cheap Chinese products, and popularizing SUV’s. Otherwise, he argues, the pot won’t simply be calling the kettle black; it will be making the kettle blacker.

These opposing views illuminate the complex web of exchanges contributing to the mass of greenhouse gases that are threatening life on earth. If John Donne was correct to say that “No man is an island,” surely no country is an independent entity, bound as we are by the exchange of goods and ideas. Understanding the consequences of mass consumption and current ideals about wealth and luxury will perhaps be as important as carbon caps and taxes in lowering future greenhouse emissions.

Lights to Go Off for "Earth Hour"

On this Saturday at 8:00 PM, you can join millions of participants in more than 25 cities around the world in turning off your lights for "Earth Hour."

Planning for the event on March 29th was inspired by last year’s Earth Hour in which residents of Sydney voluntarily switched off the lights in their homes, office buildings, and stores to raise awareness about conserving energy. This year, cities including Chicago, San Francisco, Bangkok, Tel Aviv, Toronto, Copenhagen, and Dublin have agreed to join several Australian cities for an hour of energy consciousness.

The Earth Hour website offers participants anywhere a chance to create your own event. To further global awareness, why not call a few friends and have a candlelit picnic with red wine (doesn’t require refrigeration) on Saturday night?

Concord Monitor Publishes Karpinski's Letter

On Friday, New Hampshire's Concord Monitor published a letter to the editor by LCV President Gene Karpinski. It says:

"Each year, the League of Conservation Voters publishes the National Environmental Scorecard, which scores the voting records of members of Congress on environmental legislation. The newly released 2007 scorecard highlights the much-needed new direction that Congress has pursued on environmental issues. Among the victories in 2007 was the passage of the first increase in fuel efficiency standards in 32 years, a vital first step to a clean energy future.
New Hampshire's House delegation had an average of 95 percent, one of the highest House averages in Congress. We applaud Democratic Reps. Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter for their impressive respective scores of 100 and 90 percent. Their commitment to reducing global warming pollution and bringing about a clean energy future enabled progress in 2007. We look forward to continuing to work with them to make even more progress in the upcoming session.

Unfortunately we are dismayed at the poor score of 53 percent that Republican Sen. John Sununu received. He continues to cater to corporate interests and policies of pollution. We urge him to improve for the sake of his electorate and the planet.

You can find more info on the Scorecard at lcv.org/scorecard. "

Friday Funny

Spring Awakenings

When walking along the streets of Washington DC, robins and sparrow hop excitedly in and out of the bushes. The sweet smell of flowers offers a momentary elation from the bustling crowds. Above you, the tree branches are bursting with the pink and white blossoms for which the capital is famous (along with a few minor governmental institutions). Spring has arrived.

While people on their lunch breaks soak up the sun, scientists are worrying that the early arrival of birds, butterflies and blossoms will have negative affects on the web of life. For example, certain plants are bearing fruit before the animals that depend on them emerge from hibernation. Birds that hatch too early can die from the effects of late freezes. These changes can alter the season-based food chain so dramatically that they lead to the extinction of species.

Hopefully the sunshine and bird songs will cause certain members of Congress to have their own Spring awakenings. Our government must take action immediately to wean America of the energy consumption habits that are heating the planet.

LCV Supports Passage of Clean Water Restoration Act

The story goes like this: in 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act, which held the government accountable for keeping America’s water pristine and potable. However, a series of Supreme Court rulings since 2001 have seriously diminished the scope of governmental protection of our nation’s waters. As a result, the drinking water of over 110 million Americans is now at risk.

LCV is determined to make Congress recognize how the 1972 Clean Water act has been abused. Along with wildlife, the health of millions of Americans depends on the government reinforcing legislation that adheres to the original intent of the bill to keep all of America’s natural waterways clean.

Every Little Bit Helps

People around the world are coming up with creative ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

Household efficiency may be the cheapest and easiest way to dramatically cut America's carbon dioxide emissions, reports Scientific American. The US could reduce emissions by an incredible 25%, just by making homes better insulated, installing thicker windows, and ensuring that future homes are more efficient.

Meanwhile, Japanese professional baseball players have vowed to shorten playing time by 12 minutes from the average 3 hours and 18 minutes per game. Nippon Professional Baseball released a statement saying, "When a professional baseball game is staged, a huge amount of carbon dioxides, a cause of global warming, is discharged because it requires use of energy to move players and spectators, supply electricity for lighting and other purposes and dispose of food and drink waste."

To be fair, 12 minutes is probably enough time to flush a toilet, eat a hotdog, and switch a light on and off a few times!

LCV Wins Three Pollie Awards!

Over the weekend in Santa Monica, LCV picked up three - count 'em - three Pollie awards!

The first, "Being Green," won the gold in "TV for a National Organization." Check it out:




Another, for "Web video for Grassroots Issue Advocacy and Public Affairs" -- our video entitled "What Are They Waiting For"





The second -- in the "Direct Mail for Membership" catagory -- "Earth is Ticking"

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

On this Saint Patrick’s Day, we’d like to draw attention to the wonderful Ireland, a country that is setting standards in clean renewable energy even when its citizens aren’t swathed in celebratory shades of green.

Recent studies have shown that there is enough onshore and offshore wind around the island to supply all of its energy needs. Ireland currently has a fraction of the turbines and storage mechanisms to fully exploit this renewable source, but that hasn’t stopped it from having high goals. Ireland hopes to get 33 to 42 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010, an impressive aim for an industrialized country!

Friday Funny

Karpinski Joins Boxer at Congress

LCV joined Senator Barbara Boxer and leaders from major environmental organizations at Congress today to talk about moving America towards a clean energy future. Sen. Boxer said that increasing numbers of Republican and Democratic senators are warming to the Warner-Lieberman bill, which will require increased energy efficiency and clean fuels. She added that voters will hold accountable those delegates who try to block pro-environmental legislation.

Karpinski bolstered her remarks, saying, “Now, in the face of an economy dragged down by $100-plus per barrel crude, record oil company profits and a growing recognition of the need for immediate action on global warming, 2008 will be a year when the American people expect more. The best thing members of Congress can do this year -- for the future of the planet, consumers, and the economy, not to mention their own reelection -- is to support a strong global warming bill that achieves the emissions reductions the science shows are necessary."

It was inspiring to see Sen. Boxer on stage with some of the environmental movement’s most influential figures. The leaders joining Karpinski were Kevin Knobloch (President of the Union of Concerned Scientists), Frances Beinecke (President of the National Resources Defense Council), and Carl Pope (President of the Sierra Club).

See here for the press release.

Christian Denominations Go Green (Continued)

Our last blog described the Vatican’s condemnation of pollution.

Yesterday, a group of over 40 Southern Baptist leaders called their past stance on global warming “too timid."

Leaders including the president and two past presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant group in the US with 16.3 million members, signed a declaration that said, "Our cautious response to these issues in the face of mounting evidence may be seen by the world as uncaring, reckless and ill-informed. We can do better."This was the turning of a new leaf for the SBC, who in 2007 maintained that there was not sufficient proof for climate change.

Why the new stance? Tanya Erzen, an expert in US evangelicals at Ohio State University, surmises that church leaders are responding to the increasing concerns about environmental stewardship expressed by congregation members. But Jonathan Merritt, son of former SBC president James Merritt and organizer of the declaration’s release, said he had a Road to Damascusian revelation in which he realized that destroying the environment was “no different to tearing a page from the Bible.”

Holy Smoke...or Not

Over the weekend Archbishop Gianfranco Girotti, the Vatican's number two man in issues of conscience, told Italian Magazine 'L'Osservatore Romano' that ecological damage is one of today's manifestations of sin. In recent months Pope Benedict has also urged Catholics to protect the environment, citing climate change as a critical issue.

Last year the Vatican made headlines by going carbon neutral. To offset its own emissions, it donated about $130,000 to Klimafa, an organization that is reforesting a national park in Hungary. The Vatican also hosted a scientific conference on global warming, and made plans to install electricity-generating photovoltaic cells on the papal audience hall adjacent to St. Peter's Basilica.

We know that protecting the environment is vital to preserving life on earth. According to the Pope, it's important for getting into the afterlife too.

Another Great Reason to Walk to Work

Scientists have invented a knee brace which generates electricity as you walk, so that soon you’ll be able to auto-charge your phone on an afternoon stroll. It works on similar principles as a hybrid car, which collect energy whenever the vehicle slows. When hybrid cars brake, their regenerative brakes store energy which would have been released as heat. Similarly, the innovating knee brace collects the energy released at the knee whenever the leg slows. Cool!

Vending Machines Get a Makeover

I just read this release from Laurie David:

“Innovative individuals are doing some creative problem solving by re-thinking things we take for granted. Noah Horowitz, an NRDC engineer, took a look at the energy hogging vending machine.
There is now one soda machine for every 100 Americans! Some 3 million machines are humming away 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, using 10 times more energy than the average refrigerator (the biggest energy user in your home). Noah started looking at solutions like more efficient compressors, fans and lighting. He also rethought some of the simplest things like not having outdoor machines running all night in the middle of winter. The result is new machines that use half the energy of old ones. And when Coke and Pepsi finish phasing in the new designs, the savings will be 5 billion kilowatt hours per year!”

Big Oil Favorite Walberg Drills for Campaign Cash with Oilman Cheney

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following Dick Cheney’s appearance in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District to raise money for Representative Tim Walberg’s re-election campaign, LCV President Gene Karpinski issued a statement regarding the first-term congressman’s poor record on clean energy legislation.

“In his first year in Congress, Rep. Walberg sided with polluters, developers and the oil industry, so it’s no surprise that he called on the patron of Big Oil -- Vice President Dick Cheney -- to appear at a fund-raising event.”

Cheney was the architect of the taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil. In 2005, he and the energy industry’s lobbyists huddled behind closed doors and wrote an energy bill which gave billions in tax breaks to the oil companies while they enjoyed record corporate profits. Last year, Congressman Walberg voted to keep the corporate gravy train rolling — even as the price of a barrel of crude oil topped an all-time high of $100. No wonder Walberg called on Dick Cheney and his well-heeled friends to return the favor by making a stop in Southern Michigan to raise money.

At a time when people are hurting from an economic slow-down caused in part because American consumers are paying an arm and a leg for dirty fossil fuels, we should be investing in the clean, renewable energy of the future and the green jobs that will be created with that investment. But Walberg has turned away from his constituents and chosen to become a darling of the Bush-Cheney Administration by consistently voting against the environment and contrary to the health and safety of the people of Michigan.

A look at LCV’s 2007 National Environmental Scorecard shows Rep. Walberg consistently adopts the failed energy strategy of the Bush-Cheney Administration. He voted against fuel efficiency standards, against a Renewable Electricity Standard, against mandatory limits on global warming pollution and in favor of liquid coal and oil subsidies last year.

Walberg’s 2007 score: a pathetic 5%.

“We must develop a long-term energy policy that moves away from failed Bush Administration policies and meets the needs of Michigan while protecting our planet from the devastating effects of global warming," Karpinski said. “Rep. Walberg is clearly not up for the challenge, especially since he’s proud to have Vice President Cheney at his side during the 2008 re-election campaign.”

Friday Funny - March 7, 2008

illustration by LCV communications intern Courtenay Lewis

Sen. Collins's Great Environmental Record

Today the New York Times reported on the high number of upcoming senatorial races that are likely to produce Democratic victories and a higher Democratic majority in the Senate. "Republicans have 23 seats to defend, including five left vacant by retiring incumbents, while the Democrats have just 12, with a competitive race expected only in Louisiana," it reports.

A significant Democratic majority, (especially 60 Democratic senators, whose votes would override Republican attempts towards filibustering) could lead to the passing of more pro-environmental bills. Democratic senators, on average, scored much higher on LCV's 2007 environmental scorecard than their Republican peers. However The Times highlights Sen. Collins (R-ME) as "potentially vulnerable because voters in [Maine] increasingly identify with Democrats."

Yet in terms of her environmental record, Sen. Collins set an excellent example for Republicans and Democrats alike. Her 2007 LCV score was a perfect 100, a score earned by only two other senators (Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Robert Casey (D-PA). Although a democratic majority would seem to move Congress in a pro-environmental direction, senators like Collins remind us that environmental protection need not be a partisan issue.

Rep. Maloney Supports Clean Energy

Last week New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-14), who scored 100% on LCV’s 2007 environmental scorecard, voted for a bill that would cut billions of dollars in tax breaks for oil companies and invest them in clean renewable energy. At the same time she commented that while most New Yorkers were burdened by record high oil prices (in the last year a gallon of gasoline at pumps in NYC has risen from $2.55 to $3.31), the five largest oil companies reported record profits for 2007.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 passed by a 236-182 vote. It includes solar energy tax credits that could reduce carbon dioxide pollution by 240 million tons. Rep. Maloney said that the Geothermal Energy Association estimates that just geothermal provisions could “create tens of thousands of new jobs and stimulate tens of billions of new investments in geothermal energy production.” It would also bring new jobs in the wind, solar, and fuel cell technology sectors.

Empire Staters: Tell Albany to Combat Climate Change by March 31st

March is here and so is a major opportunity for New York state lawmakers to take bold action over the next several weeks to combat climate change.

March 31, 2008 is a hard deadline for two important decisions:

As usual, it is the deadline by which Albany must adopt its annual budget for the fiscal year that begins on April 1st. This is when critical matters such as the Environmental Protection Fund, the Bigger Better Bottle Bill and financial incentives such as a Bioheat Tax Credit are decided.

The other is the final deadline by which Albany can adopt a Congestion Pricing Plan that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, dramatically ease traffic congestion, provide desperately needed dollars for our mass transit system and further strengthen the economy of the entire downstate region. In order to be eligible for $354 million in federal funding, the Legislature must approve the program no later than March 31st.

Take action; these initiatives are critical components of a greener and greater New York.

Your tuna may have toxins

Stories of dangerous mercury contamination in tuna sushi and other fish have been all over the news. The message is simple – high levels of mercury in food can harm a young child or unborn baby's developing nervous system.

Many consumers have no clue they are facing serious health risks, and the fishing industry is dishing out misleading information.

Please take action with our friends at Oceana and ask your supermarket to post mercury warning signs at its seafood counters.

Gene
President, League of Conservation Voters

More of your letters

Once again, thank you to everyone who actively helps spread LCV's mission and message by writing Letters to the Editor. Here are more great examples of fellow members taking action in their communities:

Fond Du Lac Reporter, WI, 3/2/08

Santa Maria Times, CA, 3/1/08

Florida Times-Union, FL, 2/29/08

Crunching some numbers

An article in today's Montana's Bozeman Daily Chronicle about Senator Jon Tester got us thinking.

Tester, who scored an 80% for his first session in Congress, replaced Senator Conrad Burns, a lifetime 5% voter who earned a spot on the 2006 LCV Dirty Dozen. The disparity in scores marks a huge improvement for the people of Montana and for the United States at large.

We crunched the numbers and found our 2006 campaigns helped defeat 9 out of 13 of LCV’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ members who had a combined average lifetime score of just 8%, while the new members who defeated them have a combined average score of 88%.

“Elections have consequences, and LCV’s success in helping elect pro-environment candidates already has reaped environmental policy results. We are delighted that not only do the 29 LCV-endorsed members have an impressive average score of 87 percent, but many of them also championed key legislative priorities," said our president, Gene Karpinski.

Thank You for Getting Involved

We receive a lot of e-mail from LCV.org viewers just like you who check out our site, donate to the cause and take action by signing petitions and writing letters to the editor. While we're not able to respond to every email in a timely fashion, we are able to use this space as a forum for those of you who have supported us.

Check out a couple of recent letters submitted by our members:

Muskogee Phoenix, 3/1/08
Nevada Appeal, 2/28/08