Latest Articles

New Agreement on Standards for Outdoor Lights Announced

The Natural Resources Defense Council, along with our fellow efficiency advocates, announced the results of successful negotiations with the lighting industry on standards for street lights and parking lot lights. Standards on outdoor lights are such a no-brainer because these lights stay on through the entire night. Daylight Saving Time brings an early end to […]

Senators opposed to Clean Energy Jobs Act are ignoring bill’s benefits to Americans — Part 1

On Nov. 3, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is scheduled to begin debate and vote on the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (CEJAPA), sponsored by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). At this writing it appears that the committee’s Republican members plan to boycott the debate and votes, thus […]

Why the climate movement needs more Ethiopian-style activists

Of all the amazing stories that emerged from last month’s historic International Day of Climate Action, the one that really caught my eye (and made my jaw drop in disbelief and admiration) was that of 15,000 Ethiopian students swarming though the streets of Addis Ababa brandishing 350 signs and whooping it up big time in […]

Is John Broder embarrassed to have a baseless hit job on Gore under his byline?

Al Gore’s back in the public eye, promoting his new book, which naturally raises the question: which mainstream press outlet will be the first to do a vapid hit piece? Today we have our answer: The New York Times, which has run a truly absurd and embarrassing piece from John Broder. It casts about desperately […]

Gucci Group commits to saving Indonesia’s rainforests

Photo: Shi! There’s a new fashion trend this fall: saving Indonesian rainforests. The Gucci Group, the prestigious conglomerate of fashion and luxury brands that owns Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, and Balenciaga, has decided to eliminate all paper made from Indonesian rainforests. That includes everything from its letterhead to the pretty paper bags […]

Africa walks out on climate talks in Barcelona, citing lack of commitment from West

Negotiations among more than 190 countries meeting in Barcelona to address climate change continued today, but only on certain matters, as delegates from 50 African nations collectively shut down the talks about how to extend the Kyoto Protocol when the first phase of the agreement expires in 2012. Africa refuses to continue the negotiations until […]

Senate GOP embrace Inhofe’s boycott of Clean Energy Jobs Act in effort to thwart Copenhagen

The GOP’s approach to climate and clean energy policy has remained the same for decades – obstruction and obfuscation (see “Senate GOP propose 25% ‘Do-Nothing’ energy tax on Americans“).  Now, led by James “the last flat-earther” Inhofe, they are trying to stall climate legislation as long as possible, on the flimsiest of excuses, presumably because […]

The Examiner.com’s First Annual Push Poll on Global Warming

Okay, the Examiner.com calls it their “First Annual Survey on Global Warming.”  But I think you’ll agree with our friendly neighborhood Rabett that it’s more like a “push poll.” What has gotten Eli hopping mad?  This remarkable “you-are-a-pigeon question”: Which, if any, of the following statements comes closest to capturing your attitudes and opinions about […]

Nearly 200 organizations and companies urge adoption of key energy-efficiency provision

  A diverse coalition of nearly 200 business, labor, civil rights, and environmental groups have sent a letter to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) urging her to support an important energy-efficiency provision that would: Generate $100 billion in electric efficiency investments; Create more than 900,000 new construction, […]

Rich countries halt Barcelona climate talks with inaction; Africa walks out

African negotiators at the U.N. climate talks in Barcelona refused to continue formal discussions about all other issues until wealthy countries live up to their legal and moral responsibility to commit to deep emissions reductions. Rich countries (also called “Annex 1 countries”) have ground negotiations to a halt by failing to agree to their new […]