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Climate Change Is Not A Debate

Jess Lundie — Fri, 21 May 2010 19:41:41 +0000

It occurred to me while I was driving along listening to NPR, that I don’t think I’ve ever said this on the blog quite so unequivocally. (I know, driving. No good, especially in the context of this post. /sigh) So in case any of you were wondering how I actually feel about this issue (hah), here you go.

Climate change is not a debate. Human caused climate change is not a debate.

Fortunately, this week, the National Academy of Sciences came out on Wednesday and said it too. Yes, real. Yes, humans. Can I just say, freaking finally. This report is also a call for Congressional action.

Photo: CC – Takver

First reaction: glee. Or frustration. Or exhaustion. Exasperation. Now I’m not sure how I feel. I’m used to getting all hopeful and then watching as my hopes are crushed. It’s hard, because I almost don’t have the heart left to follow the politics on this issue any more. But I know that I’m going to have to find the heart somewhere, because opting out is… well, not an option. We need legislation, and we need it to work. And we need a shift in public understanding of this issue, both the science behind it and the ever-decreasing timeframe in which we have to act. And all of that involves those of us who care about our future getting engaged and staying engaged.

Honestly, in the wake of the oil spill, this effort should be getting easier and easier. But my heart is broken, and it’s hard to piece it back together and stick it out there one more time.

But, here we go. Climate change is not a debate. Human caused climate change is not a debate. We need to get moving on this… right now.

Frustrated Friday

Jess Lundie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:14:39 +0000

Wow, what a week.

First we had the senatorial election in Massachusetts. Whatever your politics, the election of Scott Brown was bad news for climate change policy in the United States (and possibly across the world). The cap and trade bill was already stalled, and now you can move it one vote further away from ever happening.

Meanwhile, over in the EPA, politicians have started arguing about whether CO2 is pollution. So pleased to hear this has come up for debate. Can we reopen the discussion on nicotine, arsenic and lead too? /sarcasm Kudos to Senator Boxer for raising the point that having politicians rebut scientists on the merits of science is both unprecedented and absurd (see Weak Defense).

In West Virginia, we have the latest installment in the never-ending debate about the merits of mountaintop removal mining. Glad to know that we’re debating the ethics of unleashing the explosive force of an atomic bomb all over the Appalachians, especially considering this is far from a last resort for meeting our energy needs. And that we can never get those mountains back.

From the media, R.I.P. Air America.

And finally, we have the Supreme Court decision overturning an Iowa campaign finance law prohibiting corporations from making political campaign contributions. If you were hoping for campaign finance reform any time in the near future, let me tell you, this isn’t it.

Yesterday I got kicked by one of the horses I take care of. She sent me flying across the pasture. Oh well, that’s life. At least now I look as bruised and battered on the outside as I feel on the inside.

Balancing Black Friday

Climate Change – The Lies They Tell

Jess Lundie — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:48:47 +0000

Struck speechless just in time for Wordless Wednesday.