It's a terrible fact: Due to the inactive, indoor nature of their childhood, today’s kids may be the first generation in U.S. history to live shorter life-spans than their parents.
What if you could help reverse this alarming trend by having a great time in the great outdoors? Register now for NWF's {Kids Site}Great American Backyard Campout at www.backyardcampout.org and spend June 25th catching fireflies, taking nature walks and singing campfire songs—while making a significant difference in the health of our nation's children.
Great American Backyard Campout raises much-needed funds for NWF's programs that connect kids and families with the benefits of nature, helping them lead active, happy, longer lives.
As soon as you register at you’ll receive a link to your personal online Participant Center so you can start planning your campout and have the opportunity to support our mission and fundraise. You’ll also gain access to recipes, activities and crafts to make your night under the stars one-of-a-kind.
One night can make a big difference for our nation's kids. Camp out this June 25th to help American kids get outside and get healthy!
Register today just cilck on title link at top of page.
Showing posts with label Luke Sexton's Page. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luke Sexton's Page. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Friday, June 11, 2010
Hello Everybody,
Victory!!!!!
Today the the Senate defeated Senator Murkowski's Resolution to cripple the Clean Air Act, and let oil and other corporate polluters off the hook.
By a narrow margin, the Senate voted 53-47 to uphold EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas pollution and put science ahead of politics when it comes to public health and putting our country on a clean energy path.
Thank you for sending emails to your Senators — more than once! It took a strong and concerted outcry from many Americans to defeat this resolution. Our work is not finished until we have comprehensive energy and climate legislation but we will continue to work toward that goal and we know we can count on your help.
Thank you!
Victory!!!!!
Today the the Senate defeated Senator Murkowski's Resolution to cripple the Clean Air Act, and let oil and other corporate polluters off the hook.
By a narrow margin, the Senate voted 53-47 to uphold EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas pollution and put science ahead of politics when it comes to public health and putting our country on a clean energy path.
Thank you for sending emails to your Senators — more than once! It took a strong and concerted outcry from many Americans to defeat this resolution. Our work is not finished until we have comprehensive energy and climate legislation but we will continue to work toward that goal and we know we can count on your help.
Thank you!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Hydrokinetic Energy
Hydrokinetic technologies produce renewable electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of a body of water, the energy that results from its motion. Since water is 832 times denser than air, our tides, waves, ocean currents, and free-flowing rivers represent an untapped, powerful, highly-concentrated and clean energy resource.
Estimates suggest that the amount of energy that could feasibly be captured from U.S. waves, tides and river currents is enough to power over 67 million homes. Based on current project proposals, experts predict that the country could be producing 13,000 MW of power from hydrokinetic energy by 2025. This level of development is equivalent to displacing 22 new dirty coal-fired power plants avoiding the annual emission of nearly 86 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, as well as other harmful pollutants like mercury and particulate matter. The avoided carbon emissions in 2025 would be equivalent to taking 15.6 million cars off the road.
Last year, the Minerals Revenue Management department of the Mineral Management Service reported $9.9 billion in royalties from all mineral exploitation. Of that, MRM collected $5.8 billion for all federal offshore drilling of oil and gas.
Lets ask President Obama to begin using some of our billions of dollars worth of off shore oil royalties to stimulate this growing industry.
Sign Petition Here
Estimates suggest that the amount of energy that could feasibly be captured from U.S. waves, tides and river currents is enough to power over 67 million homes. Based on current project proposals, experts predict that the country could be producing 13,000 MW of power from hydrokinetic energy by 2025. This level of development is equivalent to displacing 22 new dirty coal-fired power plants avoiding the annual emission of nearly 86 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, as well as other harmful pollutants like mercury and particulate matter. The avoided carbon emissions in 2025 would be equivalent to taking 15.6 million cars off the road.
Last year, the Minerals Revenue Management department of the Mineral Management Service reported $9.9 billion in royalties from all mineral exploitation. Of that, MRM collected $5.8 billion for all federal offshore drilling of oil and gas.
Lets ask President Obama to begin using some of our billions of dollars worth of off shore oil royalties to stimulate this growing industry.
Sign Petition Here
Sunday, May 23, 2010
"The American Power Act"
Take the quiz below to assess where you stand on the Kerry-Lieberman climate bill, AKA "The American Power Act", announced last week.
The bill's intent is "To secure the energy future of the United States, to provide incentives for the domestic production of clean energy technology, to achieve meaningful pollution reductions, to create jobs, and for other purposes."
It sounds like there's something for everyone, right? At almost a thousand pages, there should be! But opinions vary. In trying to placate enough constituents to get a viable bill, a lot of trade-offs have been made. Can you accept them? Take this handy quiz and find out....and tell us what you think and how you scored! If you don't want to do the math by hand, an interactive version is available here.
The Quiz:
1. I Believe 350 is:
a. A great temperature for baking cookies.
b. A noble but unachievable goal.
c. The upper limit for a safe and just planet (e.g. 350 parts per million of CO2)
2. My View On Offshore Drilling:
a. States should be able to decide.
b. Three words: "Drill baby drill".
c. Two words: Deepwater Horizon.
3. Carbon Offsetting:
a. The best way to make an immediate impact on climate and support sustainable development.
b. A flawed tool, but with fixes should be part of the solution.
c. Is like paying someone else to not have an affair so you can.
4. Nuclear Power:
a. Three words: "Fission baby fission".
b. Ugh. Painful to consider but necessary.
c. Think Chernobyl, and where exactly do you plan on storing the waste?
5. International Cooperation:
a. If China doesn't do their part, what's the point?
b. If we lead others will follow.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
6. Agribusiness:
a. US agriculture needs help, not regulation.
b. Paying farmers/ranchers to follow better environmental practices makes sense.
c. "Sustainable agriculture" does not mean subsidizing beef and big farms.
7. Climate Change and Jobs:
a. Green jobs are the future.
b. Climate legislation is a job killer.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
8. Pricing Carbon:
a. Let's discourage emissions, but without punishing consumers or businesses.
b. Fossil fuel is a sin...it's time for a sin tax.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
Your Results:
Give yourself 3 points for each "a" answer, 2 points for each "b" and 1 Point for each "c".
19-24 : This bill fits you like your favorite pair of blue jeans.
15-19: Life's full of trade offs. You'll take the good with the bad.
0-14 : You take comfort knowing that the bill probably won't pass anyway.
If you scored 15 or more, you may want to encourage your senator to support the bill here.
More information on each question and how we based our scoring is listed out below.
How We Based Our Scoring:
1. 350:
The bill seeks to cut emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by more than 80 percent by 2050. These goals are consistent with what was promised by the President in Copenhagen, but fall well short of both UN targets and what is necessary to reduce CO2 concentrations to 350 ppm.
2. Offshore Drilling:
The bill encourages off shore drilling, but the states can opt out if it is within 75 miles of their coast. It gives states over 1/3 of the revenue to protect their coastlines, and money for land and water conservation.
3. Offsets:
Up to 2 Billion tons of offsets could be used for hitting reduction targets, emphasizing forest preservation and carbon sinks, and waste/agricultural changes both domestically and internationally. Includes additional oversight for offsets.
4. Nuclear Power:
A very heavy emphasis is placed on nuclear power. Increased funding for nuclear loan guarantees to $54 billion, and provisions for tax credits for construction of new facilities.
5. International Cooperation:
The bill stipulates that, in the event that no global agreement on climate change is reached, an international reserve allowance program would be implemented. This would require that imports from other countries that have not taken action on emissions pay a comparable amount at the border in order to avoid "carbon leakage."
6. Agribusiness:
Farms are exempted from mandatory action. The bill would create agricutural revenue through a domestic program that lets agricultural interests receive credits if they make reductions in emissions, which could then be sold into the offset/permit market.
7. Climate Change and Jobs:
While proctionalism has been a concern, offshoring of emissions intensive industries (aka "climate leakage") is also a concern. If no global agreement on climate change is reached, the bill would require that imports from other countries that have not taken action on limiting emissions pay a comparable amount at the border. In addition to protecting domestic jobs from climate leakage, the bill proposed spending on retraining of workers and developing "emerging careers and jobs in the fields of clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, and climate change adaptation."
8. Pricing Carbon:
The bill would set a price on carbon ($12-$25 per ton), but would give away plenty of permits to business, potentially send revenues back to consumers in the form of energy rebates (or use the money for defiect reduction), and protect low and middle-income families.
The full text of the bill can be found at http://kerry.senate.gov/americanpoweract/intro.cfm
You can support senate action at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/122/Support-the-climate-bill
Read more: global warming, climate bill, sustaintmc
The bill's intent is "To secure the energy future of the United States, to provide incentives for the domestic production of clean energy technology, to achieve meaningful pollution reductions, to create jobs, and for other purposes."
It sounds like there's something for everyone, right? At almost a thousand pages, there should be! But opinions vary. In trying to placate enough constituents to get a viable bill, a lot of trade-offs have been made. Can you accept them? Take this handy quiz and find out....and tell us what you think and how you scored! If you don't want to do the math by hand, an interactive version is available here.
The Quiz:
1. I Believe 350 is:
a. A great temperature for baking cookies.
b. A noble but unachievable goal.
c. The upper limit for a safe and just planet (e.g. 350 parts per million of CO2)
2. My View On Offshore Drilling:
a. States should be able to decide.
b. Three words: "Drill baby drill".
c. Two words: Deepwater Horizon.
3. Carbon Offsetting:
a. The best way to make an immediate impact on climate and support sustainable development.
b. A flawed tool, but with fixes should be part of the solution.
c. Is like paying someone else to not have an affair so you can.
4. Nuclear Power:
a. Three words: "Fission baby fission".
b. Ugh. Painful to consider but necessary.
c. Think Chernobyl, and where exactly do you plan on storing the waste?
5. International Cooperation:
a. If China doesn't do their part, what's the point?
b. If we lead others will follow.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
6. Agribusiness:
a. US agriculture needs help, not regulation.
b. Paying farmers/ranchers to follow better environmental practices makes sense.
c. "Sustainable agriculture" does not mean subsidizing beef and big farms.
7. Climate Change and Jobs:
a. Green jobs are the future.
b. Climate legislation is a job killer.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
8. Pricing Carbon:
a. Let's discourage emissions, but without punishing consumers or businesses.
b. Fossil fuel is a sin...it's time for a sin tax.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
Your Results:
Give yourself 3 points for each "a" answer, 2 points for each "b" and 1 Point for each "c".
19-24 : This bill fits you like your favorite pair of blue jeans.
15-19: Life's full of trade offs. You'll take the good with the bad.
0-14 : You take comfort knowing that the bill probably won't pass anyway.
If you scored 15 or more, you may want to encourage your senator to support the bill here.
More information on each question and how we based our scoring is listed out below.
How We Based Our Scoring:
1. 350:
The bill seeks to cut emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by more than 80 percent by 2050. These goals are consistent with what was promised by the President in Copenhagen, but fall well short of both UN targets and what is necessary to reduce CO2 concentrations to 350 ppm.
2. Offshore Drilling:
The bill encourages off shore drilling, but the states can opt out if it is within 75 miles of their coast. It gives states over 1/3 of the revenue to protect their coastlines, and money for land and water conservation.
3. Offsets:
Up to 2 Billion tons of offsets could be used for hitting reduction targets, emphasizing forest preservation and carbon sinks, and waste/agricultural changes both domestically and internationally. Includes additional oversight for offsets.
4. Nuclear Power:
A very heavy emphasis is placed on nuclear power. Increased funding for nuclear loan guarantees to $54 billion, and provisions for tax credits for construction of new facilities.
5. International Cooperation:
The bill stipulates that, in the event that no global agreement on climate change is reached, an international reserve allowance program would be implemented. This would require that imports from other countries that have not taken action on emissions pay a comparable amount at the border in order to avoid "carbon leakage."
6. Agribusiness:
Farms are exempted from mandatory action. The bill would create agricutural revenue through a domestic program that lets agricultural interests receive credits if they make reductions in emissions, which could then be sold into the offset/permit market.
7. Climate Change and Jobs:
While proctionalism has been a concern, offshoring of emissions intensive industries (aka "climate leakage") is also a concern. If no global agreement on climate change is reached, the bill would require that imports from other countries that have not taken action on limiting emissions pay a comparable amount at the border. In addition to protecting domestic jobs from climate leakage, the bill proposed spending on retraining of workers and developing "emerging careers and jobs in the fields of clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, and climate change adaptation."
8. Pricing Carbon:
The bill would set a price on carbon ($12-$25 per ton), but would give away plenty of permits to business, potentially send revenues back to consumers in the form of energy rebates (or use the money for defiect reduction), and protect low and middle-income families.
The full text of the bill can be found at http://kerry.senate.gov/americanpoweract/intro.cfm
You can support senate action at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/122/Support-the-climate-bill
Read more: global warming, climate bill, sustaintmc
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Clean Air Act is under attack.
Hello Everyone,
Email your U.S. Senators today. Tell them you oppose efforts to weaken America's Clean Air Act.
The Clean Air Act is under attack and we need your help today! The Senate is expected to vote soon on a bill that would dismantle one of America's most important environmental laws, the Clean Air Act. This attack, sponsored by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, lets big oil and big polluters off the hook by blocking efforts to hold polluters accountable for their harmful global warming pollution.
Please email your Senators now—it will only take a few moments, but could mean the difference on this critical vote.
As hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil surge into the Gulf Coast, threatening birds, wildlife and our coasts, Senator Murkowski is helping the oil companies and their allies by undoing the Clean Air Act and keeping America addicted to oil. This assault—the Dirty Air Act—would put public health at risk and reverse efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act.
We need to stop this attack on the Clean Air Act and make sure that Congress focuses on the task at hand passing strong climate legislation that will cut our dangerous dependence on oil, reduce global warming pollution, and protect our environment.
Help us keep America's Clean Air Act strong. Tell your Senators to reject the Murkowski Dirty Air Act.
Do you know someone else who cares about protecting our Clean Air Act? Help us to spread the word:
Tell-a-friend!
Trouble with the "Take Action" links in the message? Try cutting-and-pasting this link into your web browser: www.audubonaction.org/site/Advocacy?id=860
Email your U.S. Senators today. Tell them you oppose efforts to weaken America's Clean Air Act.
The Clean Air Act is under attack and we need your help today! The Senate is expected to vote soon on a bill that would dismantle one of America's most important environmental laws, the Clean Air Act. This attack, sponsored by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, lets big oil and big polluters off the hook by blocking efforts to hold polluters accountable for their harmful global warming pollution.
Please email your Senators now—it will only take a few moments, but could mean the difference on this critical vote.
As hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil surge into the Gulf Coast, threatening birds, wildlife and our coasts, Senator Murkowski is helping the oil companies and their allies by undoing the Clean Air Act and keeping America addicted to oil. This assault—the Dirty Air Act—would put public health at risk and reverse efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act.
We need to stop this attack on the Clean Air Act and make sure that Congress focuses on the task at hand passing strong climate legislation that will cut our dangerous dependence on oil, reduce global warming pollution, and protect our environment.
Help us keep America's Clean Air Act strong. Tell your Senators to reject the Murkowski Dirty Air Act.
Do you know someone else who cares about protecting our Clean Air Act? Help us to spread the word:
Tell-a-friend!
Trouble with the "Take Action" links in the message? Try cutting-and-pasting this link into your web browser: www.audubonaction.org/site/Advocacy?id=860
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Make Your 2010 Be Out There Resolution
In the last two decades, American childhood has moved indoors. The average boy or girl spends just four to seven minutes outdoors every day.
Studies show that children who spend regular time outdoors are healthier, happier and grow up with a love of nature.
We hope you will make this online resolution to get outside more in 2010! If you do, you'll get exclusive tips and activities to make the pledge a reality.
The National Wildlife Federation encourages all Americans to Be Out There™ and support its national campaign to give back to our children what they don’t even know they’ve lost: childhood’s essential wildness and connection to the natural world.
Join the Be Out There movement in 2010 for the health of our nation’s children.
Here are the facts:
•The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of daily unstructured free play as an essential part of children’s physical and mental health and social development.
•Outdoor play increases physical activity levels and builds active, healthy bodies, an important strategy in addressing the obesity epidemic.
•Lack of outdoor time and inadequate doses of sunlight are creating a generation of children deficient in Vitamin D, setting them up for increased risk of bone problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues.
Lets get the kids back outside!!!!
Studies show that children who spend regular time outdoors are healthier, happier and grow up with a love of nature.
We hope you will make this online resolution to get outside more in 2010! If you do, you'll get exclusive tips and activities to make the pledge a reality.
The National Wildlife Federation encourages all Americans to Be Out There™ and support its national campaign to give back to our children what they don’t even know they’ve lost: childhood’s essential wildness and connection to the natural world.
Join the Be Out There movement in 2010 for the health of our nation’s children.
Here are the facts:
•The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of daily unstructured free play as an essential part of children’s physical and mental health and social development.
•Outdoor play increases physical activity levels and builds active, healthy bodies, an important strategy in addressing the obesity epidemic.
•Lack of outdoor time and inadequate doses of sunlight are creating a generation of children deficient in Vitamin D, setting them up for increased risk of bone problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues.
Lets get the kids back outside!!!!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Civil Disobedience alive and well in Denmark.
COPENHAGEN - Danish authorities are bracing for a massive demonstration today in Copenhagen expected to draw tens of thousands of people on the sidelines of UN climate talks, fearing it could turn violent.
Police have beefed up security at Denmark's land and sea borders in a bid to prevent troublemakers from entering the country.
"We reinstated border controls a few days ago and we will turn back people we suspect of coming to Copenhagen with the sole aim of disturbing the peace,"said Copenhagen police spokesman Flemming Steen Munch.
Violent far-left groups have already threatened via Internet sites to join the protests against the climate negotiations, which they say do not address the concerns of the poor countries most threatened by global warming.
Police have warned potential agitators that they will respond "firmly" to acts of violence.
The demonstration is expected to gather between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on various estimates from police and organizers.
The six-kilometre (four-mile) march, organized by 515 organisations from 67 countries, will depart from the Christiansborg Castle where parliament sits, crossing the city centre to end up at the Bella Centre where the climate conference is being held.
"Our hope and goal is that this big demonstration will be a peaceful party, festive and without mayhem," Munch said, adding: "But we know from experience that some destructive elements will infiltrate the demonstration."
"We are ready to meet any and all situations, and will not allow the troublemakers to rule," he warned.
Police have informed shopowners and inhabitants on the demonstration route that the event may turn violent. Buses and trains packed with protesters are expected to arrive from other European cities, including Berlin, Kiel, Bremen, London, Amsterdam and Milan. "A number of Swedes have already been turned back at the border because they had a history of vandalism in Sweden. They also had paint bombs in their luggage," Munch said. "We've also stopped some buses in order to check passengers' identities and their luggage," he added.
On Friday, police were out en masse, some of them in riot gear, as smaller demonstrations were held throughout the city. Some 35 Danish and foreign protesters were taken into custody "as a preventive measure" as police suspected "they might commit illegal acts," another police spokesman, Rasmus Bernt Skovgaard, told AFP. Under Danish law they can be held for 12 hours without charges being pressed. They were part of a group of some 250 anti-capitalist protesters calling themselves "Our Climate - Not Your Business," demonstrating at various locations around the city and arguing that industry was turning the climate crisis into a business opportunity.
Meanwhile, civil society climate groups 350.org, TckTckTck and AVAAZ were also jointly organizing more than 3,000 candlelight vigils around the world on Friday and Saturday, said 350.org founder Bill McKibben. "They are in support of this AOSIS stand," he said, referring to a demand by the Association of Small Island Nations that the world commit to preventing global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
"These are tiny nations, but they have an army behind them, an army of civil society the world over who understand that these are the only people at this conference talking about scientific reality."
Police have beefed up security at Denmark's land and sea borders in a bid to prevent troublemakers from entering the country.
"We reinstated border controls a few days ago and we will turn back people we suspect of coming to Copenhagen with the sole aim of disturbing the peace,"said Copenhagen police spokesman Flemming Steen Munch.
Violent far-left groups have already threatened via Internet sites to join the protests against the climate negotiations, which they say do not address the concerns of the poor countries most threatened by global warming.
Police have warned potential agitators that they will respond "firmly" to acts of violence.
The demonstration is expected to gather between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on various estimates from police and organizers.
The six-kilometre (four-mile) march, organized by 515 organisations from 67 countries, will depart from the Christiansborg Castle where parliament sits, crossing the city centre to end up at the Bella Centre where the climate conference is being held.
"Our hope and goal is that this big demonstration will be a peaceful party, festive and without mayhem," Munch said, adding: "But we know from experience that some destructive elements will infiltrate the demonstration."
"We are ready to meet any and all situations, and will not allow the troublemakers to rule," he warned.
Police have informed shopowners and inhabitants on the demonstration route that the event may turn violent. Buses and trains packed with protesters are expected to arrive from other European cities, including Berlin, Kiel, Bremen, London, Amsterdam and Milan. "A number of Swedes have already been turned back at the border because they had a history of vandalism in Sweden. They also had paint bombs in their luggage," Munch said. "We've also stopped some buses in order to check passengers' identities and their luggage," he added.
On Friday, police were out en masse, some of them in riot gear, as smaller demonstrations were held throughout the city. Some 35 Danish and foreign protesters were taken into custody "as a preventive measure" as police suspected "they might commit illegal acts," another police spokesman, Rasmus Bernt Skovgaard, told AFP. Under Danish law they can be held for 12 hours without charges being pressed. They were part of a group of some 250 anti-capitalist protesters calling themselves "Our Climate - Not Your Business," demonstrating at various locations around the city and arguing that industry was turning the climate crisis into a business opportunity.
Meanwhile, civil society climate groups 350.org, TckTckTck and AVAAZ were also jointly organizing more than 3,000 candlelight vigils around the world on Friday and Saturday, said 350.org founder Bill McKibben. "They are in support of this AOSIS stand," he said, referring to a demand by the Association of Small Island Nations that the world commit to preventing global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
"These are tiny nations, but they have an army behind them, an army of civil society the world over who understand that these are the only people at this conference talking about scientific reality."
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Watch Oceana in Copenhagen | Oceana North America
Oceana is making a splash at the Copenhagen climate summit. Watch the following videos of our work to get the word out about the effect of climate change and ocean acidification on the oceans.
Oceana presented a new Google Earth tour of the Arctic, narrated by board member Ted Danson. The tour highlights the impacts of climate change on Arctic people and ecoystems, particularly melting sea ice, ocean acidification and increasing industrialization.
OneClimate interviewed Oceana climate scientist Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb about corals and ocean acidification.
Finally, check out this video of Oceana chief scientist Mike Hirshfield answering questions about overfishing and ocean acidification in Copenhagen."
Oceana presented a new Google Earth tour of the Arctic, narrated by board member Ted Danson. The tour highlights the impacts of climate change on Arctic people and ecoystems, particularly melting sea ice, ocean acidification and increasing industrialization.
OneClimate interviewed Oceana climate scientist Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb about corals and ocean acidification.
Finally, check out this video of Oceana chief scientist Mike Hirshfield answering questions about overfishing and ocean acidification in Copenhagen."
EW's person of the month. Ryan Newmen NASCAR's # 39
Land conservation in America is about protecting wildlife and scenic areas and giving Americans great places to experience the outdoors. Racing for Wildlife is an exciting venture that invites millions of Americans who love NASCAR and the outdoors to help save America’s legacy around the country.
Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 Stewart-Haas Racing Army Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cub Series car, loves being outside, whether he’s behind the wheel in a race or fishing off a dock. Ryan has teamed with The Conservation Fund – one of America’s top-rated land protection organizations – to launch Racing for Wildlife. Together, they are bringing a message to the NASCAR community and fans of all ages to protect, respect and enjoy America’s special places.
Across the nation, natural places are increasingly being lost to development. Woods and grassy meadows are giving way to shopping centers and subdivisions. As a result, families have fewer opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature. In an effort to help preserve America's special places, the Ryan Newman Foundation has teamed up with The Conservation Fund to launch Racing for Wildlife, a creative campaign to build an American land legacy for generations of race fans who share Ryan's love of the outdoors.
Together, The Conservation Fund and the Ryan Newman Foundation are leading the effort to preserve some of these special places—and are turning to the millions of Americans who love NASCAR and the outdoors to help. Each year, Racing for Wildlife will pursue a new conservation project that offers recreational opportunities near urban areas, so families can easily enjoy these protected places.
Save Colorado's Roan Plateau
Before leaving office, the Bush administration leased the entire top of the beautiful, wildlife-rich Roan Plateau in western Colorado for gas development, threatening its abundant wildlife habitat and trout streams.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has the opportunity to cancel these gas leases and write a better management plan for this unique landscape. Please join thousands of Coloradans in asking Secretary Salazar to take a fresh look at saving Roan Plateau.
The Grand Junction Sentinel noted in its November 13th editorial that the BLM's original plan was premised on the idea that only about 200 wells would be drilled there in the next 20 years; now Bill Barrett Corporation says the actual number of wells that could be drilled there is 15 times that number. This is a level of development that will destroy the Roan Plateau as we know it. Once these wild lands, rare wildlife and threatened plants are gone, they are gone forever.
I join with the large and diverse group of supporters that believe the public lands of Roan Plateau are too special to be drilled. I support the cancellation of the current drilling leases, and ask that you direct the BLM to complete a more thorough analysis and rewrite their management plan to protect the Roan's critical biological and recreational resource's
Click title to take Action on this Issue.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has the opportunity to cancel these gas leases and write a better management plan for this unique landscape. Please join thousands of Coloradans in asking Secretary Salazar to take a fresh look at saving Roan Plateau.
The Grand Junction Sentinel noted in its November 13th editorial that the BLM's original plan was premised on the idea that only about 200 wells would be drilled there in the next 20 years; now Bill Barrett Corporation says the actual number of wells that could be drilled there is 15 times that number. This is a level of development that will destroy the Roan Plateau as we know it. Once these wild lands, rare wildlife and threatened plants are gone, they are gone forever.
I join with the large and diverse group of supporters that believe the public lands of Roan Plateau are too special to be drilled. I support the cancellation of the current drilling leases, and ask that you direct the BLM to complete a more thorough analysis and rewrite their management plan to protect the Roan's critical biological and recreational resource's
Click title to take Action on this Issue.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Don't let Dirty Coal hijack the Clean Energy Bill!!!
From The Desk of Jessy Tolkan, Power Shift '09'
Here's the deal: After weeks of discussion, Congress is ready to release the Waxman-Markey climate bill. Based on early reports, it's safe to say that while some parts of this bill are good, a whole lot of it is not.What's more, Dirty Coal and Big Oil are spending millions of dollars on lobbyists who are fighting hard to weaken this bill as much as possible -- and it's working . As I sit at my desk trying to figure out how to react to all of this, my emotions are mixed. I am so disappointed that once again, Big Oil and Dirty Coal have hijacked what should be a game-shifting piece of legislation. This bill should create millions of clean energy jobs, a huge investment in renewable energy, and transform our economy. But the dirty energy industry is fighting tooth and nail to make sure that doesn't happen. And at the same time, I am so proud of the progress we have made. We've come a long way, climate movement. We are more powerful than ever before, and can take this fight to the finish line.http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=L85mlcfyiFdb47K9fSWZf0WQXTTBnrxm
Call your Member of Congress TODAY and tell them to listen to YOU, not Dirty Coal and Big Oil.Big Oil and Dirty Coal are demanding free giveaways and giant loopholes so that they can keep on polluting, just like they've always done. But we have worked hard to build a movement big enough to take them on. Dirty energy may have more money and more lobbyists, but we have passion, people, and the truth on our side.We also need to make sure that our Members of Congress know that we are for real. We need to be there every step of the way, calling for a bill that will create clean energy jobs, set aggressive pollution reductions targets, and make polluters pay for their mess. http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=P3S9hbU%2F1yg3Ao7vAzvBx0WQXTTBnrxm
Call Congress and tell them that you want a clean energy future, not giveaways to polluters!It may be summer vacation for some of us, but we need to keep the pressure up. In the next weeks, we'll be in touch about ways to stay involved, and to make sure that our positive vision of a clean energy future wins. We need to be active in every Congressional District, shouting from the rooftops that we want green jobs and a clean energy future.Are you with us?To drowning out Dirty Coal and Big Oil,Jessy TolkanExecutive Director, Energy Action Coalition
Energy Action Coalition is a youth-led coalition of 50 organizations working together to fight for a clean, just and renewable energy future. For a list of Energy Action Coalition partners, please visit our Energy Action Partnerspage.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
EW's Person's of the Month.
This month we salute,
Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich, and Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio
LEVIN AND VOINOVICH INTRODUCE GREAT LAKES LEGACY ACT OF 2009.
WASHINGTON – Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio, co-chairmen of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, today introduced the bipartisan Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2009, which would increase by threefold the level of funding for cleanup of contaminated sediments in the Great Lakes. The legislation would also increase funding for research into new technologies for sediment cleanup.
“Meeting the challenge of stewardship of the Great Lakes requires concerted and continuing action,” Levin said. “While we’ve made progress on cleaning up the contaminated sites in the lakes, much work remains. This legislation will bring us closer to our goal of restoration and protection of the lakes for future generations of Americans.”
“Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes has been a top priority of mine throughout my political career,” Sen. Voinovich said. “As co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, I am focused on working with the Great Lakes delegation to advance restoration efforts in this critical region. This bill will provide the Environmental Protection Agency with the tools and resources to remove contaminated sediment and cleanup Ohio’s Areas of Concern which include the Maumee, Black, Cuyahoga and Ashtabula Rivers. The Legacy program is a vital piece of a comprehensive strategy that is absolutely necessary to protect the Great Lakes for generations to come.”
The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2009 would increase the authorized funding for cleanup of contaminated sediments from $50 million per year to $150 million per year for five years. The act would also increase the authorized funding level for research on new technologies for sediment cleanup from $3 million per year to $5 million per year.
In 2005, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy Report recommended the increased funding based on the widespread need for additional cleanup in the Great Lakes in the Areas of Concern. In that report, participants calculated that $150 million per year would be needed to clean up the contaminated sediments at the Areas of Concern within 10 years. Forty-three Areas of Concern have been identified in the Great Lakes, 13 of which are in Michigan and four in Ohio. These sites do not meet the water quality goals established by the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, mainly because of contaminated sediments from historic industrial activity. This contamination results in several detrimental consequences including fish advisories, degradation of fish and wildlife populations, taste and odor problems with drinking water, beach closures, and bird and animal deformities or reproductive problems.
The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 contributed significantly to the effort to clean up Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes. Almost 800,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments have been removed since the program was created in 2002. This material has been safely removed from riverbeds so that it no longer poses a threat to human health or the wildlife.
Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich, and Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio
LEVIN AND VOINOVICH INTRODUCE GREAT LAKES LEGACY ACT OF 2009.
WASHINGTON – Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio, co-chairmen of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, today introduced the bipartisan Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2009, which would increase by threefold the level of funding for cleanup of contaminated sediments in the Great Lakes. The legislation would also increase funding for research into new technologies for sediment cleanup.
“Meeting the challenge of stewardship of the Great Lakes requires concerted and continuing action,” Levin said. “While we’ve made progress on cleaning up the contaminated sites in the lakes, much work remains. This legislation will bring us closer to our goal of restoration and protection of the lakes for future generations of Americans.”
“Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes has been a top priority of mine throughout my political career,” Sen. Voinovich said. “As co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, I am focused on working with the Great Lakes delegation to advance restoration efforts in this critical region. This bill will provide the Environmental Protection Agency with the tools and resources to remove contaminated sediment and cleanup Ohio’s Areas of Concern which include the Maumee, Black, Cuyahoga and Ashtabula Rivers. The Legacy program is a vital piece of a comprehensive strategy that is absolutely necessary to protect the Great Lakes for generations to come.”
The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2009 would increase the authorized funding for cleanup of contaminated sediments from $50 million per year to $150 million per year for five years. The act would also increase the authorized funding level for research on new technologies for sediment cleanup from $3 million per year to $5 million per year.
In 2005, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy Report recommended the increased funding based on the widespread need for additional cleanup in the Great Lakes in the Areas of Concern. In that report, participants calculated that $150 million per year would be needed to clean up the contaminated sediments at the Areas of Concern within 10 years. Forty-three Areas of Concern have been identified in the Great Lakes, 13 of which are in Michigan and four in Ohio. These sites do not meet the water quality goals established by the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, mainly because of contaminated sediments from historic industrial activity. This contamination results in several detrimental consequences including fish advisories, degradation of fish and wildlife populations, taste and odor problems with drinking water, beach closures, and bird and animal deformities or reproductive problems.
The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 contributed significantly to the effort to clean up Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes. Almost 800,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments have been removed since the program was created in 2002. This material has been safely removed from riverbeds so that it no longer poses a threat to human health or the wildlife.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Our Children Want To Help!!!!
With Earth Day coming up soon here's some great books that offer fun ways the little one's can get involved.
1. "S is for Save the Planet" (Sleeping Bear Press, ages 6-10) by Bard Herzog, illustrated by Linda Holt Ayriss.
1. "S is for Save the Planet" (Sleeping Bear Press, ages 6-10) by Bard Herzog, illustrated by Linda Holt Ayriss.
2. "Insiders: Rain Forests" (Simon & Schuster, ages 8-12) by Richard C. Vogt.
3. "The Butterful and the Grasshoppers Feast" (Candle-wick Press, all ages) by William Plomer, illustrated by Alan Aldridge.
4."101 Ways You Can Save the Planet Before You're 12!" (Sterling, ages 6-up) by Joanne O'Sullivan.
5. "Earth Day, Ready-to-Read" (Simon & Schuster, ages 4-6) by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by Mike Gordon.
6."We are Extremely Very Good Recyclers" (Penguin, ages 6-9) based on characters created by Lauren Child.
7. "Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug" (Worthwhile Books, ages 4-8) by Eille Bethel, illustrated by Alexander Colombo.
8. "Earth in the Hot Seat, Bulletins from a Warming World" ( National Geographic, ages 9-12) by Marfe Ferguson Delano. ***** Highly recommended.
One more thing Please have your children visit and bookmark " Kids for Saving the Earth!!"
The mission of KSE is to educate, inspire, and empower children to protect the Earth's environment. KSE Worldwide provides action-oriented educational materials to kids, families, groups, classrooms and schools. http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/
Saturday, April 4, 2009
E.W.'s person of the month.
Hello Friends,
Each month E. W. will endeavor to bring you to your attention someone that we feel has distinguished themselves by their advocacy work.
This month we chose Mr. Isaac Wanasolo, Principal Director of "Youth Coalition For Development."
From Mr Wanasolo: It is absurd that the Millennium Development Goal Act # 2 didn't emphasize the "Quality" Universal Primary Education. Among Indicators of UPE the goal emphasized numbers, which totally downplays the importance of the quality of Education offered in schools. The M.D goal is to "Achieve Universal Primary Education." In our commitment to social Transformation among the youth we are currently operating in Mukono, Wakiso and Kayunga districts working currently with 25 rural primary and secondary schools, and we have inspired and transformed over 500 youths to date; through career guidance and counselling, education movie shows and Drama. we shall continue to expand our coverage to needy districts all over the country. We need your support to propel this good work.
The Youth Coalition was formed in 2007 to fight social injustices of Nepotism, Favoritism, Tribalism and Bribery that are being looked as acceptable norms by increasing awareness among the less privileged youth in rural areas due to limited job opportunities. was formed by a group of five youth to avert this trend of events and bring about social transformation and redemption among the rural youth and children.
VISION:To have an informed and creative future generation, with greater opportunities for life in terms of employment, health and education.
MISSION:To create a Global Youth Partnership for Development via networking for effective information sharing to increase literacy in entrepreneurship and enhance creative thinking among the less privileged youth for job creation , through needs based research, training and advocacy.
Although this mans work is somewhat off topic here at E.W. we feel that his devotion and persistent determination to see this cause flourish has been outstanding.
Please visit the Youth Coalition For Development's site today (LINK)
Send your nominations for E.W.'s next person of the month to sextonrobert54.enviwar@blogger.com
From Earthjustice, Because the earth needs a good lawyer.
Thank Congress for 2 Million Acres of Wilderness
Bridger-Teton National Forest, in the Wyoming Range, is among the lands now protected.
Take Action Today!
Dear EW Readers
Please join with us in applause for what Congress has done to permanently protect millions of acres of American wildlands—including such special places as Mineral King, Mt. Hood and the Wyoming Range.
Signed by President Obama earlier this week, the powerful Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 is one of the great wilderness preservation acts of our time, and Congress deserves our thanks for passing it.
Take action now by sending your members of Congress a message of gratitude.
And while you are at it, take time to thank yourself for helping make this happen. The Earthjustice legal team—empowered by your support—fought for years to keep two of these remarkable land areas free from destructive exploitation.
Earthjustice, and the right of citizens to use court action in defense of the environment, were born in the 1970's during the fight to keep Mineral King from being turned into a ski resort by Disney. Congress now has assured that development of this Sierra jewel will never occur.
Nor will the Wyoming Range be turned over to oil and gas development, as the Bush administration tried to do during its reign. Located in the Rocky Mountains just south of Grand Teton National Park, the range was threatened by a plan to unleash drillers on 175,000 acres of national forest lands, including 90,000 acres of pristine roadless areas. Earthjustice attorneys stalled this onerous plan long enough for the new Congress to enwrap 1.2 million acres of the Wyoming Range with protection.
If you are grinning like we are at the happy ending to this story, please take time now to thank those members of Congress who made it come true.
Bridger-Teton National Forest, in the Wyoming Range, is among the lands now protected.
Take Action Today!
Dear EW Readers
Please join with us in applause for what Congress has done to permanently protect millions of acres of American wildlands—including such special places as Mineral King, Mt. Hood and the Wyoming Range.
Signed by President Obama earlier this week, the powerful Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 is one of the great wilderness preservation acts of our time, and Congress deserves our thanks for passing it.
Take action now by sending your members of Congress a message of gratitude.
And while you are at it, take time to thank yourself for helping make this happen. The Earthjustice legal team—empowered by your support—fought for years to keep two of these remarkable land areas free from destructive exploitation.
Earthjustice, and the right of citizens to use court action in defense of the environment, were born in the 1970's during the fight to keep Mineral King from being turned into a ski resort by Disney. Congress now has assured that development of this Sierra jewel will never occur.
Nor will the Wyoming Range be turned over to oil and gas development, as the Bush administration tried to do during its reign. Located in the Rocky Mountains just south of Grand Teton National Park, the range was threatened by a plan to unleash drillers on 175,000 acres of national forest lands, including 90,000 acres of pristine roadless areas. Earthjustice attorneys stalled this onerous plan long enough for the new Congress to enwrap 1.2 million acres of the Wyoming Range with protection.
If you are grinning like we are at the happy ending to this story, please take time now to thank those members of Congress who made it come true.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
PROTECT MARINE WILDLIFE - SAY NO TO ARCTIC OCEAN DRILLING!
In the closing days of the Bush Administration, the federal Minerals Management Service (MMS) rashly pushed a last-ditch plan to expand and accelerate oil and gas leasing in a vast area--73 million acres--of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas off the coast of Alaska.
***TAKE ACTION*** Please urge the Obama Administration to halt this precipitous plan and protect America's Arctic:http://audubonaction.org/campaign/arcticdrillingcomments/8585ui59vij3mk6?As the climate warms and sea ice recedes, the Arctic marine environment is already undergoing rapid change. This region is home to America's entire threatened polar bear population, the endangered bowhead whale, threatened Spectacled and Steller' seiders, walrus, and several species of "ice seals". New oil and gas leases could bring significant, lasting, and adverse impacts to this sensitive, already changing Arctic marine environment.The new plan is simply too much, too soon, too fast. Scientists still do not have enough data on the Arctic marine ecosystem and the potential impacts from climate change, let alone the cumulative impacts of oil and gas development coupled with a changing climate.And the leasing plan is just too risky. The MMS estimates a 40 percent chance of a large oil spill resulting from development in the Chukchi Sea, yet MMS readily acknowledges that we do not have adequate technologies to clean up oil spills in ice-laden waters. A large oil spill would be devastating to polar bears, whales, other marine mammals, and the millions of seabirds that rely on the Arctic Ocean.
***TAKE ACTION*** Ask the new Administration for a time-out on oil and gas related activities off the coast of Alaska until critical habitat is designated for the polar bear, additional research is conducted, and the potential impacts of development in the Arctic are better understood;http://audubonaction.org/campaign/arcticdrillingcomments/8585ui59vij3mk6?
***TAKE ACTION*** Please urge the Obama Administration to halt this precipitous plan and protect America's Arctic:http://audubonaction.org/campaign/arcticdrillingcomments/8585ui59vij3mk6?As the climate warms and sea ice recedes, the Arctic marine environment is already undergoing rapid change. This region is home to America's entire threatened polar bear population, the endangered bowhead whale, threatened Spectacled and Steller' seiders, walrus, and several species of "ice seals". New oil and gas leases could bring significant, lasting, and adverse impacts to this sensitive, already changing Arctic marine environment.The new plan is simply too much, too soon, too fast. Scientists still do not have enough data on the Arctic marine ecosystem and the potential impacts from climate change, let alone the cumulative impacts of oil and gas development coupled with a changing climate.And the leasing plan is just too risky. The MMS estimates a 40 percent chance of a large oil spill resulting from development in the Chukchi Sea, yet MMS readily acknowledges that we do not have adequate technologies to clean up oil spills in ice-laden waters. A large oil spill would be devastating to polar bears, whales, other marine mammals, and the millions of seabirds that rely on the Arctic Ocean.
***TAKE ACTION*** Ask the new Administration for a time-out on oil and gas related activities off the coast of Alaska until critical habitat is designated for the polar bear, additional research is conducted, and the potential impacts of development in the Arctic are better understood;http://audubonaction.org/campaign/arcticdrillingcomments/8585ui59vij3mk6?
Monday, March 16, 2009
Roadless Area Conservation Rule
Please take a minute to complete this important action "Thanks"
Dear Luke,
After eight years of the Bush administration's efforts to undo the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, our country's last wild national forests are at risk of logging, drilling and other development.
But with a new administration, we have a chance to reverse this terrible legacy and restore the protections for our pristine national forestlands. Send a quick letter to Secretary Vilsack and urge him to initiate an immediate "time out" on road-building in our wild forests »
The Roadless Area Conservation Rule is an environmental policy that protects nearly 60 million acres of wild national forests – including Alaska's Tongass National Forest. Some species, such as the bald eagle and the brown bear, are endangered in other parts of the United States, but thrive in this untouched and wild forestland.
We need to return to America's legacy of conservation, rather than allow these policies to slip into ineffective oblivion.
Roadless areas are some of the most beautiful and ecologically significant lands in our national forests, and it is time for our country to start protecting these areas again so we will have wilderness and wildlife in the future. Please take a moment to send a letter today, and speak up for the roadless areas in our national forests »
Dear Luke,
After eight years of the Bush administration's efforts to undo the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, our country's last wild national forests are at risk of logging, drilling and other development.
But with a new administration, we have a chance to reverse this terrible legacy and restore the protections for our pristine national forestlands. Send a quick letter to Secretary Vilsack and urge him to initiate an immediate "time out" on road-building in our wild forests »
The Roadless Area Conservation Rule is an environmental policy that protects nearly 60 million acres of wild national forests – including Alaska's Tongass National Forest. Some species, such as the bald eagle and the brown bear, are endangered in other parts of the United States, but thrive in this untouched and wild forestland.
We need to return to America's legacy of conservation, rather than allow these policies to slip into ineffective oblivion.
Roadless areas are some of the most beautiful and ecologically significant lands in our national forests, and it is time for our country to start protecting these areas again so we will have wilderness and wildlife in the future. Please take a moment to send a letter today, and speak up for the roadless areas in our national forests »
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Coal:Cheap and Abundant: Or Is It?
Here's an eye opener from the desk of Leslie Glustrom, Clean Energy Action Boulder, Colorado http://www.cleanenergyaction.org/
Coal-fired power plants provide approximately 50% of the electricity in the United States. It has often been stated that coal is “cheap and abundant” and it is assumed that it will stay that way for at least the next century. A careful analysis of existing information on coal supplies suggests that United States coal supplies are much more constrained than is widely understood. Indeed, it appears that with existing mines playing out over the next 10-20 years and future mine expansions highly uncertain, the planning horizon for building alternative power production infrastructure is likely to be much shorter than previously thought.
A careful review of existing information on U.S. coal supplies demonstrates that:1) The U.S. Energy Information Administration has repeatedly published data on coal “reserves” as though they include an assessment of economic recoverability when inactuality they did not. As a result, the often touted “200 year supply of U.S. coal” is notbased on a realistic assessment of how much coal will actually be accessible.2) The United States Geological Survey has developed a tool for assessing economic recoverability and published a series of reports showing that the amount of economically recoverable coal is a small fraction (e.g. less than 20%) of the original resource.
The most recent USGS assessment of coal in the Gillette coal field of thePowder River Basin of Wyoming, the source of about 40% of U.S. coal, found that only6% of the coal was economically accessible under the economic conditions at the time.Between 2002 and 2008, while coal costs were rising dramatically, the USGS reduced the amount of economically accessible coal in the Gillette coal field of the Powder RiverBasin from 23 billion tons to 10 billion tons.3) The major mines in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming (e.g. the “Fort Knox”of U.S. coal) have less than a 20 year life span, and coal mines in other parts of theUnited States are also likely to be playing out in the next 20 years. Future coal mine expansions are highly uncertain as these expansions will face very serious geologic, economic, legal and transportation constraints. Importantly, the federal government own sessentially all of the coal in the western United States, and future coal mine expansions in western states will have to comply with a host of federal laws.IN
CONCLUSION, It appears that rather than having a “200 year supply of coal,” the United States has a much shorter planning horizon for moving beyond coal-fired power plants. Depending on the resolution of geologic, economic, legal and transportation constraints facing future coal mine expansion, the planning horizon for moving beyond coal could be as short as 20-30 years.
My take,
Big Coal's day is over.
Coal-fired power plants provide approximately 50% of the electricity in the United States. It has often been stated that coal is “cheap and abundant” and it is assumed that it will stay that way for at least the next century. A careful analysis of existing information on coal supplies suggests that United States coal supplies are much more constrained than is widely understood. Indeed, it appears that with existing mines playing out over the next 10-20 years and future mine expansions highly uncertain, the planning horizon for building alternative power production infrastructure is likely to be much shorter than previously thought.
A careful review of existing information on U.S. coal supplies demonstrates that:1) The U.S. Energy Information Administration has repeatedly published data on coal “reserves” as though they include an assessment of economic recoverability when inactuality they did not. As a result, the often touted “200 year supply of U.S. coal” is notbased on a realistic assessment of how much coal will actually be accessible.2) The United States Geological Survey has developed a tool for assessing economic recoverability and published a series of reports showing that the amount of economically recoverable coal is a small fraction (e.g. less than 20%) of the original resource.
The most recent USGS assessment of coal in the Gillette coal field of thePowder River Basin of Wyoming, the source of about 40% of U.S. coal, found that only6% of the coal was economically accessible under the economic conditions at the time.Between 2002 and 2008, while coal costs were rising dramatically, the USGS reduced the amount of economically accessible coal in the Gillette coal field of the Powder RiverBasin from 23 billion tons to 10 billion tons.3) The major mines in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming (e.g. the “Fort Knox”of U.S. coal) have less than a 20 year life span, and coal mines in other parts of theUnited States are also likely to be playing out in the next 20 years. Future coal mine expansions are highly uncertain as these expansions will face very serious geologic, economic, legal and transportation constraints. Importantly, the federal government own sessentially all of the coal in the western United States, and future coal mine expansions in western states will have to comply with a host of federal laws.IN
CONCLUSION, It appears that rather than having a “200 year supply of coal,” the United States has a much shorter planning horizon for moving beyond coal-fired power plants. Depending on the resolution of geologic, economic, legal and transportation constraints facing future coal mine expansion, the planning horizon for moving beyond coal could be as short as 20-30 years.
My take,
Big Coal's day is over.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
I give you Kandace Holbrook.
Hello my friends
Within the innermost part of my being, there is a sacred place where no outer turmoil can intrude, where no feelings of doubt or failure can reside. This place I reserve for people like Kandace Holbrook it's my great plesure to say "she's back" over the next few weeks she is going to being telling us some very important things about who we were then , and who we are now. You won't want to miss what this little lady has to say.
Within the innermost part of my being, there is a sacred place where no outer turmoil can intrude, where no feelings of doubt or failure can reside. This place I reserve for people like Kandace Holbrook it's my great plesure to say "she's back" over the next few weeks she is going to being telling us some very important things about who we were then , and who we are now. You won't want to miss what this little lady has to say.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
From The Wilderness Society
Hey this is what happens when we all work together.
Dear Luke,
Fabulous news! The new Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar, announced yesterday that oil and gas leases that would degrade Utah wildlands have been cancelled. The WildAlert community kept this campaign alive through months and years of action and donations. Read more here.
Did you hear President Obama's call for a new era of responsibility, made at his inauguration? It resonated greatly for The Wilderness Society, and, I suspect it did with you as well. After all, it's not only our love for the land that inspires us to care for wild places. It's also belief in leaving the world a better place that keeps us going in the face of incredible challenges.
Protecting America's natural heritage is a worthy and honorable service. Each time you send a letter, make a phone call, donate, or pass along a WildAlert to a friend, you provide a service to future Americans.
With a new president open to more balanced use of the land, we have the exciting opportunity to do much more in the coming years. We hope you'll start by urging the House to support the landmark monumental wilderness legislation that would protect millions of acres of our nation's best wild places. Click here to take action.
Best Wishes,
Kathy Kilmer
Dear Luke,
Fabulous news! The new Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar, announced yesterday that oil and gas leases that would degrade Utah wildlands have been cancelled. The WildAlert community kept this campaign alive through months and years of action and donations. Read more here.
Did you hear President Obama's call for a new era of responsibility, made at his inauguration? It resonated greatly for The Wilderness Society, and, I suspect it did with you as well. After all, it's not only our love for the land that inspires us to care for wild places. It's also belief in leaving the world a better place that keeps us going in the face of incredible challenges.
Protecting America's natural heritage is a worthy and honorable service. Each time you send a letter, make a phone call, donate, or pass along a WildAlert to a friend, you provide a service to future Americans.
With a new president open to more balanced use of the land, we have the exciting opportunity to do much more in the coming years. We hope you'll start by urging the House to support the landmark monumental wilderness legislation that would protect millions of acres of our nation's best wild places. Click here to take action.
Best Wishes,
Kathy Kilmer
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