Latest Articles

Roger Pielke Sr. misrepresents the science of global warming

RealClimate has just eviscerated Roger Pielke, Sr. in an important post, “More bubkes.”  I am going to excerpt it at length because: It thoroughly debunks some now-standard denier talking points on sea level rise, ocean heat content, and Arctic sea ice that the Pielkes, WattsUpWithThat, Inhofe, George Will and others have been pushing. It has […]

Another ExxonMobil deceit: They are still funding climate science deniers despite public pledge

In its May 2008 Corporate Citizenship Report, ExxonMobil promised: In 2008, we will discontinue contributions to several public policy research groups whose positions on climate change could divert attention from the important discussion on how the world will secure the energy required for economic growth in an environmentally responsible manner. Bullshit. Okay, you’re not shocked. […]

Tom Freidman: Obama Must Mobilize Country to Pass Senate Bill

“… If he is not ready to risk failure by going all out, failure will be the most likely result.“ If Obama wants the Senate to pass Waxman-Markey – preferably strengthened – then he needs to put the same effort into it that he has begun for health care.  And you, the informed public, must […]

If New York Times can’t tell the global warming story (twice!), how will the public hear it?

The signs of global warming are everywhere. Coming back from my Vail conference to Denver, the driver pointed out to me the shocking devastation the state is now experiencing from the pine beetle, devastation anyone who lives in the West can see. The so-called paper of record ran its second major story in less than […]

Chu: U.S. needs to be the Wayne Gretzky of clean energy

In the first half of his Sunday interview after the passage of the Waxman-Markey bill, Obama said he was confident the Senate will pass the climate and clean energy bill. He also asserted “My strong belief is that innovation and technology are going to accelerate our process beyond these targets, and that we’re going to […]

In case you thought passing a climate bill was easy: “Chaos, arm-twisting gave Pelosi win&#822

Judging by emails and comments, many progressives and enviros seem to be under the misimpression that a much tougher climate bill was politically possible.  I myself was under that misimpression for a while. Now, in fairness to myself (and others), one serious scenario does exist for a tougher climate bill being politically possible – but […]

U.S.-Russia climate and energy efficiency cooperation: A neglected challenge

Enhancing cooperation on climate change and energy efficiency should be a major plank of U.S. Russia policy and should be discussed at the highest levels when President Obama meets with President Medvedev next week.This Center for American Progress post, by Senior Fellow Andrew Light, Senior Policy Analyst Julian L. Wong, and Fellow Samuel Charap, was […]

Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.)

Claire McCaskillSen. Claire McCaskill doesn’t think the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill that passed the House in June stands much chance of passing the Senate, and she would not support the bill as it stands. During House debate on the legislation, McCaskill expressed her concerns via Twitter: “I hope we can fix cap and trade […]

Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.)

Blanche Lincoln Sen. Blanche Lincoln recently called the House climate and energy bill “a complete non-starter,” and pledged that the Senate would move more slowly in crafting legislation in order to address the concerns of specific legislators and regions. Lincoln’s own concerns include potential rises in energy costs and impacts on agriculture. She has also […]

Mark Begich (D-Alaska)

Mark Begich Sen. Mark Begich beat out everyone’s favorite Senate curmudgeon, “Uncle” Ted Stevens (R), in a tight race last fall. And while he’s seen as a modest improvement in the environmental realm, he’s also a steadfast supporter of increased oil and gas drilling, including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Begich has advocated for […]