Gore on the Government Shutdown and Climate Change: Congress is Pathetic

Former Vice-President Al Gore appeared on Pivot's late night talk show TakePart Live on October 22nd, to discuss the 24 Hours of Reality: The Cost of Carbon event and his on-going fight for worldwide climate issues and environmental awareness. The former Vice President also responded to questions about the government shutdown.

When asked about his thoughts on the recent government shutdown Mr. Gore replied:

"Congress is pathetic right now. There are some awful good people in Congress trapped in a bad system. The truth is our democracy has been hacked, big money now calls the shots. That my sound like a radical statement but less and less to people who have been paying attention to what's been going on there."

Government Shutdown: Environmental Impacts and Republican Extortion

Republicans held America hostage for 16 days and undermined efforts to protect America's air, water, food and natural resources.  They unsuccessfully sought to extort a ransom in the form a number of anti-environment riders.

This circus would be comical if the impacts were not so serious. Only at the eleventh hour was legislation passed that enabled the government to reopen and avert a debt default. However, these are temporary fixes and the same issues will have to be dealt with again early in 2014. 

The Koch Brothers and the Government Shutdown

After 16 days at a cost of 24 billion dollars Congress finally came to their senses. Now that Congress has passed legislation that reopens government until January 15, 2014 and extends the credit ceiling until February 7, 2014, many are asking questions about the forces behind this insane game of political chicken. Others are wondering if it will happen again in the new year. This article, written one week ago (October 9, 2013), explores the role played by the Koch brothers.
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Charles and David Koch are oil barons who have been accused of being behind efforts to shutdown government.  In a bid to keep America from transitioning away from fossil fuels the Koch brothers are leading a powerful cadre of conservatives in a coordinated strategy designed to subvert democracy. They have cultivated very close relationships with Republicans including GOP presidential candidates and they employ sophisticated methods of legislative control like ALEC. They have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to misinform the public and influence politicians. They have demonstrated considerable skill in the art of control and subterfuge.  One of their greatest accomplishments is their role in the creation of the “grassroots” movement known as the Tea Party.

Government Shutdown Adversely Impacts the Environment, Energy and Climate Research

In addition to being harmful to the economy, the government shutdown has a wide range of impacts on the environment, energy and climate research.

A number of departments are being prevented from doing their jobs including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the Department of the Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Almost all of the EPA's 16,000 employees have been furloughed. The small number of staff who will stay on the job are funded outside the appropriations process. A few others will remain to ensure “the safety of human life and the protection of property,” as stipulated in the EPA contingency plan.

Government Shutdown Threatens America's Natural Resources

According to Michelle, a writer who works for the US Fish and Wildlife Services, the government shutdown is having deleterious impacts on America’s natural resources. The Department of Interior is no longer overseeing the complex web of ecosystems and habitats. America's National parks are not being cared for, habitats are being harmed and threatened species are at risk.

As Michelle explains, the biologists, civil engineers, educators, and regulators that are employed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service are being prevented from doing their work protecting a vast number of species and habitats. This group is already being forced to work overtime to manage staff reductions as a consequence of the sequester earlier this year. Now they are being furloughed while they wait for Republicans to come to their senses. Sadly, it might be a very long wait.

Republicans Shut Down Government Again Impacting the Economy and the Environment

As of midnight last night the fiscal year expired and the US government began shutting down. House Republicans are being intransigent and their attempt to tie the budget to Obamacare amounts to extortion. Led by the Tea Party extremists, the GOP has been steadfast in their refusal to pass the 2014 federal budget by the end of the fiscal year. Republicans are trying to derail the implementation of health care reform, even though US lawmakers voted for it in 2010 and the American people expressed their support when given the choice in 2012.

Republicans Oppose the PTC but Support Oil Subsidies

It is not surprising that many Republicans who oppose the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for renewable energy, support fossil fuel subsidies. Although the PTC was extended through 2013, some Republicans have vowed to continue their push to kill it. Conservatives are well known for their love of free markets and distrust of government subsidies, unless of course it involves fossil fuels. Some Republicans in Congress have made it clear that they will seek amendments that erode the PTC.

Republicans including the 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney, wanted to let the PTC expire. Romney and other Republicans who oppose the PTC say it costs too much and props up businesses with government subsidies.

Romney spokesman Ryan Williams said in an email that Romney "believes the government should stop playing venture capitalist and doling out open-ended subsidies, and instead encourage private sector innovation and market competition.” This is part of the same conservative philosophy that advocates for unbridled free markets and supports deregulation.

Comprehensive Summary of US Green Legislation

It is essential for businesses to keep abreast of the legal imperatives that impinge on their operations. Keeping up with green legislation in the US is no easy task. To help make this effort easier, Greenful has put together a comprehensive summary of environmental legislation from the Clean Air Act (CAA) which was passed in 1967 to Corporate Average Fuel Economy (Cafe) of 2012. Here are 27 links that cover all major green legislation and related amendments:

Comprehensive Climate Legislation in the US this Spring?

Buoyed by President Obama's commitment to address climate change in his second term, leading Democrats are pushing for comprehensive climate legislation. In his State of the Union address President Obama called on Congress to pass a "market-based" climate measure and then promised to exercise his executive authority if lawmakers fail to act. On Valentines Day, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) indicated that she hopes to bring climate legislation to floor by the summer of 2013. “We’re going to go in earnest to this topic and this bill," she said. As the Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Boxer stated her intent to bring a comprehensive climate bill to a vote within the next few months.

Boxer's Climate Change Caucus Breeds Hope for Legislation on Emissions Reduction

Although very few believe that the US will pass legislation that addresses global warming there is a glimmer of hope appearing on the horizon. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said on December 11th, that she’s forming a climate change caucus. This move suggests that Democrats may be preparing the way for legislation that addresses greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Boxer believes that extreme weather, particularly Hurricane Sandy has helped Americans to understand the urgency of addressing climate change. As reported in The Hill, Boxer said:

Election 2012: Implications for Coal and Natural Gas

The reelection of President Obama has already sent a message that is impacting the coal industry and it is likely that investors will be more wary of natural gas pending a review. Well ahead of more stringent regulations on the coal industry investors are already seeing the writing on the wall and divesting from this dirty source of energy.

As reviewed in the Washington Post, coal's stock valuations have been directly impacted by Obama's reelection. On the day after the election, shares of Peabody Energy fell 9.6 percent, Arch Coal plunged 12.5 percent, Consol Energy dropped 6.1 percent, and Alpha Natural Resources sank 12.2 percent.

Election 2012: A Mandate for Action on Climate Change

Although not everyone agrees, some environmentalists see the election of 2012 as an endorsement of action on climate change. As reported in a Guardian article, "activists say that it would be wrong to read the election as a stamp of approval for four more years of business as usual. They argue that voters have sent a clear signal that they want more aggressive action on the environment during the president's second term."

Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp is amongst those environmentalists who say that the election provides a mandate for aggressive action on climate change. After the election Krupp issued a statement on Wednesday November 7 saying:

The 2012 US Election Saw the Rise of Environmentalists as a Political Force

Environmentalism has been around for decades, but in 2012, despite a highly polarized electorate and a lack of formal discussion on climate change, environmentalists have emerged as a political force to be reckoned with.

As reviewed in the Washington Post, in the election of 2012, the environmental community played a key role in several stated including "New Mexico, Montana, Texas and other states, winning seven of eight targeted Senate races and at least three targeted House races."

A lot of money was spent by a number of different groups but even the fossil fuel industry was forced to concede that environmental groups appear to have invested their money wisely.

Big Oil's Influence on US Politicians

A new analysis from the NRDC Action Fund and the advocacy group Environment America reveals that money from oil interests appears to be influencing the voting records of US lawmakers. The analysis of the relationship between oil money and American politicians was published on September 12 in a report titled "Who Votes Dirty?" Along with examining the votes on House and Senate bills for or against air pollution regulations, the NRDC analysis also looked at campaign contributions from "dirty industries."

The NRDC Action Fund analysis found a strong link between campaign contributions from polluters, and votes against clean air legislation. Congresspersons who took more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from career polluters also voted against clean air laws nearly twice as many times as those who accepted less than $100,000 from dirty industries. In the Senate, those who took more than $500,000 in campaign contributions from career polluters, voted against clean air laws three times as often as those taking less.

Political "Heroes" and "Villains" on US Air Pollution

A new analysis from the NRDC Action Fund, released in conjunction with advocacy group Environment America reveals "Who Votes Dirty?" The report, released on September 12, lists members of the US House and Senate as either "clean air heroes" or "dirty air villains" based on their votes on legislation related to air pollution. According to the NRDC's analysis, 99 members of the House and 43 senators were dubbed heroes, while 139 House members and 39 Senators were labeled villains.

A large number of the Dirty Air Villains, 48 Congressmen and 25 Senators, represent districts in towns and cities the American Lung Association (ALA) have ranked as the 25 most polluted cities in the US.

IMPAC: World Sustainable Agriculture Congress Event

World Sustainable Agriculture Congress 2012 will take place on July 10-12, in Singapore. This is the start to the most important debate of the century on food security. This event is the only international meeting place that will bring together businesses from across the entire food value chain to explore ideas, strategies, partnerships and CSR initiatives to ensure food security, business sustainability and long term profitability.World Sustainable Agriculture Congress is the only conference where CEOs/CSR leaders of Asia’s food and agriculture industry meet to determine and identify new strategies for development of future agriculture sustainability strategies that propel the industry forward to ensure a sustainable future.

Republican Governors See Value in Green

Unlike members of the GOP vying for public office Republican governors see value in supporting the green economy. The GOP presidential candidates and Republican members of Congress are largely united in their resistance to climate change, but an increasing number of Republicans are bucking this trend. Climate denial is a defining feature of the GOP and de rigueur for any Republican seeking the presidential nomination. However, some Republican governors are adopting policies that promote the green economy. Clean energy policies have been implemented in all 50 states and 30 of those states have Republican governors.

Republicans Dethrone Czars and Defund the President's Policies

House Republicans are using their powers to declare war on Democrats, public health and the environment. Despite warnings that tightening the belt too much too soon could harm the economy, the Republican-controlled House voted to drastically cut spending and defund the President's policies.

After five days of debate, the spending bill passed a divided House at 4:40 a.m. on Saturday February 19, 2011. Without any support from Democrats, the House approved several Republican amendments to deny funds to federal agencies including the EPA.

Health care was also under assault. Democratic Rep. Sander Levin said, "Instead of searching for common ground, this amendment intensifies warfare," Levin continued, "The Republicans have become a wrecking crew."

Republicans have also targeted Obama's czars as undemocratic even though many previous presidents have used them. On February 17, 2011, House Republicans voted to strip congressional funding for nine executive branch czars. This was the first raid in a much larger Republican war against the President's policies. The amendment to the continuing resolution funding government operations identifies nine czars and orders that no money goes to pay for them or their staffs.

One of amendment's top targets is US Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern, Obama's chief treaty negotiator at the UN global warming talks, it also defunds Obama's climate adviser. Other czars whose funding would be eliminated under the amendments include the green jobs czar, and the auto manufacturing czar. The amendment also proposes eliminating two czar slots that are unfilled including the energy and climate-change czar. Democrats called it a political attack masquerading as a principled spending cut.

Either by refusing to increase the cap on federal spending or through gridlock, the Republicans appear determined to shutdown government. Even if things do get moving again, the Republican war on the environment is far from over. Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Tex.), chairman of the Science Committee, indicated that he plans to use tax payers dollars to hold hearings that examine, yet again, the basis of climate science.


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Democrats the Environment and Green Jobs

Over the last couple of years the Democrats have passed legislation that staved off economic calamity. Contrary to the Republican attacks ads, the President's stimulus package has helped to create jobs and is poised to do more in the next couple of years.

A January 2010 report by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers found the clean energy provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act had already saved or created 63000 jobs and they are expected to create more than 700,000 green jobs by 2012.

Green careers could play an important role in the ongoing recovery of the US economy and they are crucial to future job growth. Green holds more potential for real economic growth than any other industry.

Clean energy is a national security issue and an issue of global competitiveness. President Obama wants to advance green industry so that the US can be a competitive leader.

Many Democrats understand that we do not need to choose between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. The President and many Democrats seek to create green jobs by promoting clean technologies, for this generation and future generations.

A recent Pew Research Centre poll showed just 16% of Republicans say the earth is warming because of human activity, compared to 53% for Democrats.


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Environmental Issues in Six Key Senate Races

Although Republican gains are considered likely in the Senate, control of that chamber probably will come down to the outcome of contests in Nevada, Colorado, Illinois, West Virginia, California and Washington.


NEVADA

In Nevada, the race is too close to call, the turnout may end up being the deciding factor. In this battle to the wire, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid faces Republican Sharron Angle, the tea party candidate who raised $14 million in the past quarter. During the Nevada Senate debate, Reid and Angle predictably clashed over the environment and how best to create jobs.

COLORADO

The Colorado Senate race is almost neck-and-neck, with Democrat Michael Bennet inching closer to Republican Ken Buck. Turnout could be the deciding factor in this campaign as well with 72% of Republicans saying they are certain to vote, compared with just 55% of Democrats.

Colorado's Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet bills himself as "the best senator money can't buy" and blasts ruling Democrats as being too timid on the environment. He believes the government must act aggressively to reduce greenhouse gases and drive the expansion of renewable energy through tax subsidies and the use of federal land. GOP challenger and Tea Party favorite Buck barely acknowledges that there is such a thing as the environment. Buck has openly challenged the science behind global climate change and believes the federal government should keep out of state energy policies.

ILLINOIS

In Illinois, there is a back and forth race to the bottom between Republican Mark Kirk and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias. At Chicago’s senate debate, Giannoulias opening remarks included a comment that acknowled the, "failure to address our environmental challenges."

WEST VIRGINIA

Although Democrats chances have improved in West Virginia, most polls give Republican John Raese a 7-10 point lead over his Democratic opponent Joe Manchin III. During a talk to 45 people at the Inter-Service Club luncheon at the Charleston Civic Center, Raese called for an end to laws regulating air quality, water pollution and minimum wages." In his appearance before Charleston's merged civic clubs, Raese said he would abolish federal pollution controls-apparently meaning that polluters could dump all the poisonous waste they want into people's drinking water and the air they breathe. In fairness, Manchin is also trying to attempting to capitalize on West Virginians’ fears and ignorance. In a political stunt that appears to be designed to appeal to the Tea Party, Manchin, actually fired a bullet through last year’s House-passed bill that included provisions for cap-and-trade.

CALIFORNIA

The California contest for the Senate pits Democrat Barbara Boxer against Republican Carly Fiorina. Boxer currently leads this race by a very slight margin. Boxer is currently chief deputy majority whip, Boxer is known for her outspoken support of environmental protection. The California Senate debate revealed some of the sharpest differences over the question of whether environmental regulation can create jobs. Fiornina wants the state's landmark climate change law to be put on hold. Californians will also be voting on Proposition 23.

WASHINGTON

The Polls in Washington state show the incumbent Democrat has a small lead and the chances of defeating Republican challenger Dino Rossi have improved. Three-term Democratic Sen. Patty Murray has shown her support for environmental sustainability including securing $2 million for algae research at WSU last year. These funds will be used to develop new strategies for the production of renewable fuel sources.

In most of these races there are clear choice between candidates with a strong environmental record and candidates who are beholden to the old energy economy. In the end voter turnout is likely to be a key deciding factor, victory may go to whichever party succeeds in mobilizing a larger percentage of their base.


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