Climate Politics
All Stories
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Frist sides with right-wingers to stymie widely supported sea treaty
How’s this for a once-in-a-blue-moon scenario? Six major environmental groups endorse a sweeping international treaty strongly supported by the American Petroleum Institute and other industry groups. Do you sea what I sea? Photo: NOAA. On May 12, top dogs from the Natural Resources Defense Council, National Environmental Trust, Ocean Conservancy, and three other green organizations […]
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House to repass energy bill to vex Democrats
Our House is a very, very, very fine House. If at first you succeed, well, try again anyway. That’s how GOP leaders in the House are reinterpreting the old elementary-school bromide as they attempt to create the illusion of hope for the doomed, pork-laden energy bill — and to deflect the political heat over high […]
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A look back at Reagan’s environmental record
Where’s the white hat? Photo: Eisenhower Library. The news of President Reagan‘s passing has sent waves of emotion and rapturous eulogizing through the Republican Party and beyond. Amidst all the heartfelt tributes, it’s clear that the 40th president of the United States is regarded as the true political father figure of George W. Bush — […]
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Umbra on strategic voting and writing to legislators
Dear Umbra, I’m a dislocated Texas resident living in Georgia, and I frequently send action emails to congressional leaders on environmental issues. Which leaders should I be sending my emails to: those I vote for in Texas or the Georgia ones? I’m afraid that when I email the Texas leaders they’ll see my present Georgia […]
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A rabble-rousing conservationist answers questions
With what environmental organization are you affiliated? I currently spend 30 hours a week directing the National Public Lands Grazing Campaign (NPLGC), 5 hours a week advising Alternatives to Growth Oregon (AGO), and 15 hours as senior counselor for the Oregon Natural Resources Council (ONRC). I fill the remaining 10 hours of my 60-hour workweek […]
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A gas tax might make good sense, but Dems don’t want to touch it
Who would have thought the day would come when environmentalists would want to high-five Gregg Easterbrook? Yes, the same Gregg Easterbrook who memorably dismissed widespread criticisms of the Bush administration’s environmental record as “baloney — baloney being rolled and deep-fried with cheese for purposes of partisan political bashing and fund-raising” in a Los Angeles Times […]
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Pryor Restraint
Their plights gave new meaning to the phrase “appointed to the bench”: Miguel Estrada, William Myers III, and Janice Rogers Brown were among half a dozen right-wing judicial nominees that President Bush tried — and failed — to install as federal court judges. Stonewalling and filibusters by Senate Democrats consigned them to the dugout bench. […]
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Organics program weakened under Bush administration changes, activists say
The Bush administration is giving Americans new reason to watch what they eat — and it’s got nothing to do with carbs. Sealed with a hiss? Over the course of 10 days in mid-April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued three “guidances” and one directive — all legally binding interpretations of law — that threaten […]
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A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Bush’s much-praised new diesel rules
Yes, dear skeptics, you heard correctly: The Bush administration done good this week. Digging these new rules. Landmark controls on diesel emissions, finalized Tuesday by the U.S. EPA, are expected to prevent 12,000 premature deaths and 15,000 heart attacks each year. And these were no warmed-over regs from the Clinton era, passed off as the […]
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National Park Service employees muzzled on budget shortfalls and other problems
Bush addresses NPS employees in Sequoia National Park. Photo: NPS. It’s the reverse of the Midas touch — instead of turning to gold, everything they touch turns to shit.” That’s how Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, explained the recent activities of the Bush administration’s National Park Service to Muckraker. “Parks […]
