Infographic - Midterms 2014: Issues and Social Media Use

Climate Denying Koch Friend Wins Senate Seat in Iowa

Republican Joni Ernst has won a seat in the Senate representing Iowa. She defeated her Democratic opponent, Rep. Bruce Braley. Ernst is a Tea Party supporter and a climate change denier and friend of the Koch brothers. She also wants to close the Environmental protection agency while dismissing Agenda 21 as a conspiracy that would undermine civil liberties.

Mixed Green Results in Florida Midterms

Florida's Republican Governor Rick Scott beat Democrat Charlie Crist while Steve Southerland lost his bid to keep his seat in the US House of Representatives.

Both Scott and Southerland are unfriendly towards environmental issues and climate concerns. The very fact that such politicians were vying for office in Florida is rather ironic given that this state will be one of the worst hit by flooding and extreme weather associated with climate change.

Environment and Climate Win Senate Race in Michigan Midterms

Climate change and environmental concerns were important issues in the Michigan midterms and they may well have been the deciding factors in the race for the Senate. On Novmeber 4th, Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) trounced the Republican candidate, former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land by 14 percentage points.

Concerns about the Great Lakes were on top of voter priorities. This concern is driven by a number of environmental calamities including oil spills, most notably the rupture of Enbridge Line No. 6 into the Kalamazoo River (the largest inland oil spill in US history) and the 2014 refinery spill on Lake Michigan. It was also about the Koch brothers three-story high pile of petroleum coke that poisoned the air and the Detroit River.

Midterm 2014: Fossil Fuels Win and Climate Loses

The US midterm results are in and fossil fuels have won big while efforts to combat climate change are dealt a serious blow. With 52 seats, Republicans have won the Senate and they now control both chambers of Congress. This will make passing President Obama's legislative agenda, which was already very difficult, nearly impossible. Here are 10 likely energy and climate consequences of Republicans advances in the 2014 midterms:

Louisiana Midterms have Serious (Solar) Energy Implications

The oil and gas lobby wields tremendous power in Louisiana, but renewable forms of energy are increasingly popular. The outcome of the election in Louisiana will have a significant impact on the future of solar in the state, it will also decide who Heads the Energy and Natural Resource (ENR) Committee.

The Senate race in Louisiana between Rep. Bill Cassidy and Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu will determine who heads the ENR Committee in 2015. Landrieu is the current panel chairman, and while she went into the election in the lead, she will have difficulty winning what will likely be a runoff if neither candidate gets 50 percent of the vote.

At the same time as they decide who will hold the gavel on the ENR committee, Louisiana voters will also decide who heads the state's Public Service Commission (PSC). At stake is whether of not the state will heed growing public demand for clean renewable energy. Louisiana is one of only two states that both directly elects its commissioners and gives the PSC direct legislative authority. The person who gets elected will decide the future of rooftop solar in the state and have a major impact on one of the fastest growing solar markets in the US.

Midterms 2014: Five Good News Stories for the Climate and the Environment

For those who are looking for progress on climate and energy legislation in the US, there is little good news as the GOP appears poised to make advances in the 2014 midterms. If the polls prove to be accurate, Republicans will increase their hold on the House of Representatives and gain control of the Senate. Nonetheless, here are five good news climate stories in this election cycle.

1. Climate change has emerged as a more important issue than in previous elections. According to the New York Times, climate and energy issues now rank in the top three issues mentioned in electoral ads. Climate change has been a common question raised in debates across the US and politicians in some vulnerable parts of the country are taking heat for ignoring the issue.

2. Environmental groups are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their approach to campaign finance. Rather than just supporting Democrats with a clean voting record, they are investing in some Republican candidates who are favored to win and who may be able to play a role in brokering bipartisan environment, climate and energy legislation.

Midterms 2014: Energy an Issue in Swing States

In the 2014 election cycle Energy is an important issue in swing states. However, do not expect these states to vote for champions of clean renewable energy. Instead swing state voters are likely to throw their support behind candidates who advocate for good old fashioned oil and gas.

According to survey results, voters in five swing states indicate that energy is a higher priority issue than environmental protection and climate change. The survey by Hart Research Associates for the League of Conservation Voters, NextGen Climate Action and NRDC Action Fund found that 56 percent had heard about candidates’ positions on energy issues. Energy ranked fourth behind abortion, jobs, the economy and healthcare.

Midterm 2014: Short Term Economic Concerns Trump Environmental Issues

Although climate advocacy groups have worked hard to make environmental issues and clean energy a priority, recent polls suggest it has not worked. Climate change is being trumped by short economic concerns. It would appear that American voters are more concerned about things like the short term price of gas than they are about climate change.

During the period between October 20 to 26, Senate campaign TV advertisements were dominated by energy and the environment. There were more TV ads on energy and the environment than ads about Obamacare, immigration, government spending. Of the almost 15,000 ads that aired 55 percent favored Republicans and 45 percent favored Democrats.

The number of such ads suggest that environment and energy ads are creeping into the conversation. "That’s one signal that energy and environmental issues are a part of the conversation, though obviously the economy and jobs is the lead with voters," noted Daniel Weiss, the senior vice president for campaigns with the League of Conservation Voters.

Midterm 2014: Republican's Climate Ignorance Poised to Win the Day

Climate change may be an irrefutable fact but not for Republicans who brag about their scientific ignorance. Make no mistake about it, this is all part of their denial strategy. Their clever denial strategies are helping them make inroads in the forthcoming midterms. On November 5, we will likely see even more climate deniers take control of the world's most powerful legislature. A number of recent polls suggest that the GOP will take control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Being a climate legislation obstructionist, is the key to securing massive infusions of cash from the fossil fuel industry. In this electoral cycle it is estimated that 4 billion will be spent most of which will go to GOP candidates.

Environmental Alliances in the 2014 Midterms

The US midterms are right are around the corner, but an analysis of environmental alliances shows the situation is far more complicated in 2014 than it was in previous election cycles. As the political theater unfolds, the clock is ticking down and we are rapidly running out of time to curb emissions and reign in climate change.

While some things have changed in 2014, others remain the same. Perhaps the biggest change involves the shift in strategy by a number of environmental groups. In some states, denying climate change is no longer a politically safe strategy. However, in other states, blocking action on climate change is the only way to get elected. One predictable staple of the 2014 midterms involves the oil industry’s support for climate denying Republican candidates.

Video - Midterms 2014 and Republican Climate Denial

The ignorance displayed in this video would be amusing if it were not representative of the views of a large number of Republicans seeking office in the forthcoming midterms. The scientific evidence behind climate change may be clear but Republicans continue to play politics. Their self serving political opportunism may play well with some constituents but their utter absence or responsible leadership imperils the future for us all.

Polling Data: Climate Change and the US Midterm Elections

According to US polls, Americans acknowledge that climate change is real, however, this does not mean that it is an issue that will sway electoral outcomes. While a solid majority of Americans want to the US to do more to manage climate change, it is not perceived as either one of the top threats facing the country or a priority issue. Consequently it is unlikely to figure prominently as an election issue in the forthcoming midterms.

In Pew Research’s 2014 Political Typology survey,  61 percent of Americans said there is solid evidence that Earth’s average temperature has been getting warmer over the past few decades. However, 18 percent said the warming mostly because of natural environmental patterns.

Obama's Choice for Budget Director

Obama announced his choice to lead the White House budget office. As expected, Obama selected Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the president of the Walmart Foundation, (the charitable group). She worked for a long time at the Gates Foundation at a high level. She has also worked extensively in the Clinton administration.

Burwell worked on the Clinton-Gore presidential campaign in 1992, she became staff director for the National Economic Council under Robert Rubin, she followed Rubin to Treasury where she was his chief of staff before working as as deputy chief of staff under Erskine Bowles, and then she was deputy director of OMB under Jack Lew.

Obama Nominates Former Oil Employee and Conservationist as Head of the Interior Department

Obama's nominee for Head of the Interior Department is a study in contrasts. Sally Jewell's resume includes work in the oil industry, banking and more recently CEO of an outdoor equipment company where she was described as a conservationist. Jewell was nominated on February 6, 2013 and if she is confirmed by the Senate, Jewell would replace Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. This is an important portfolio for the environment as the Interior Department manages the nation's public lands, water, wildlife and energy resources.

Jewell holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington. Jewell is married and has two grown children.

Most notably Jewell worked as an engineer with Mobil Oil and prior to that she spent two decades in the banking industry. Her most recent job in banking was overseeing Washington Mutual's commercial-banking group, according to The Seattle Times. She had previously served as president of WestOne Bank from 1992 to 1995, and as an executive at Rainier Bank/Security Pacific from 1981 to 1992.

Obama Nominates Nuclear Physicist for Energy Secretary

On Monday March 4, President Barack Obama announced that he had nominated a nuclear physicist from MIT as his choice for energy secretary. The President tapped Dr Ernest J Moniz to take over for Steven Chu as head the Department of Energy (DOE).

The President will look to Moniz, to reduce US dependence on foreign oil and establish America as a leader in clean energy technology. Moniz was the Under Secretary of the DOE during the Clinton administration.

Moniz was confirmed by the US Senate as Under Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE) on 28 October 1997. As Under Secretary, Dr Moniz advised the Secretary and oversaw the DOE’s research and development portfolio, including energy and environmental technologies, national security, and fundamental science. He oversees the national laboratory system and national security programmes, including stockpile stewardship and non-proliferation.

Obama Nominates Air Quality Expert to Head the EPA

On Monday March 4, President Barack Obama announced that an air quality expert would be his nominee for the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a veteran of the EPA, Gina McCarthy is a good choice to replace Lisa Jackson as administrator.

The 58 year old McCarthy earned a B.A., from the University of Massachusetts and has an M.S., from Tufts University. She is married to Kenneth McCarey; and has three children.

One of the more interesting aspects of McCarthy's previous work experience is the fact that she is a former employee of Mitt Romney.

Recent Events Prompting US Voters to Act on Climate Change

A whole host of events have transpired in the US this summer that should make it easier for voters to understand the tangible implications of climate change. From dwindling Arctic ice, heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and record setting ocean temperatures, voters have a many good reasons to factor climate change into their voting decision this November.

The month of July was the hottest month ever recorded in the lower 48 states in 125 years of record keeping. A report prepared by Democrats in the House Natural Resources and Energy committees, showed that 64 percent of the continental US suffered through drought this summer. Wildfires consumed huge swaths of the West. Ocean surface temperatures in the northeastern Atlantic broke the previous record. As noted in National Geographic, the summer of 2012 also saw the Arctic sea ice sheet melt "further, and faster, than has ever been seen before in human history."

Although US voters have lots of reminders of the veracity of climate change, it remains to be seen if this will have any impact at the ballot box.

The Green Elements of the First 2012 Presidential Debate

President Obama reiterated his desire to end tax breaks for big oil and reaffirmed his support for new sources of energy like solar, wind and biofuels. The President also stated that his administration has helped to create 5 million new private sector jobs. To increase these numbers the President wants to invest in education and create 2 million new places in community colleges.

For his part, Mitt Romney said "I like coal!" He wants to see the tar sands pipeline ferry dirty oil through the US. He repeated the old Republican refrain of energy independence through more fossil fuel. He also wants to do away with "excessive" regulations.

European Elections and Sustainable Development

In Europe voters have chosen growth over austerity and this has implications for the U.S. economy and sustainable development. The Greek and French electorate’s rejection of austerity will have a dramatic effect on European spending, including investments in sustainability. These changes can also be expected to reverberate across the Atlantic.