Climate Politics
All Stories
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Feds reject toll road that would have cut through state park, ruined surfing
The U.S. Commerce Department ruled against construction of a toll road this week that would have cut through California’s San Onofre State Park, potentially disturbed endangered species, and destroyed the bitchin’ waves at a popular surfing spot. In a last-ditch attempt to resuscitate the road after a slapdown by the state’s coastal commission, proponents had […]
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John Holdren reportedly to be named science adviser
Science magazine is reporting, “Strong indications are that President-elect Barack Obama has picked physicist John Holdren to be the president’s science adviser.” I have known Holdren for over a decade and have discussed energy/climate issues with him many times. He probably has more combined expertise on both climate science and clean energy technology than any […]
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Obama’s labor pick talks green jobs
Here’s Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.), Obama’s pick to head the Department of Labor, talking about green jobs:
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Obama taps marine ecologist Jane Lubchenco to head NOAA
Obama has selected Oregon State University marine scientist Jane Lubchenco to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Reports The Washington Post: Lubchenco, a conservationist who has devoted much of her career to encouraging scientists to become more engaged in public policy debates, is also a vocal proponent of curbing greenhouse gases linked to global […]
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The right-wing caricature of environmentalism inhibits action on matters of human welfare
Recommended: "Earth Worship," an article from the latest issue of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Report. It offers a window into environmentalism as seen feverishly imagined by the far right. It begins: Addison, Texas — "Environment is not about saving nature," the founder of Freedom Advocates, Michael Shaw, sternly warned an audience of antigovernment […]
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Enviros and urban planners puzzled by Obama’s transportation pick
Ray LaHood.Wednesday’s surprise pick of Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) to head the Department of Transportation caught greenies and urban-planning types off guard. Though they’re not condemning the pick, they are emphasizing that transit will be a major challenge and that the next secretary needs to be up to the task. LaHood has served on the […]
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Prehistory called, it wants its worldview back …
“Environmental issues are a luxury good. Now we have to tighten our belt and to cut the luxury.” — Czech President Vaclav Klaus, criticizing the newly signed E.U. climate deal
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Vilsack’s appointment is representative of the narrow range of viewpoints in Obama’s Cabinet
Tom Vilsack is going to be secretary of agriculture, hmmm … Let’s see, ethanol proponent, enthusiastic supporter of GMOs and biotechnologies, and political debtor to agribusiness. Yup, it seems clear that Obama really took Michael Pollan’s "Farmer in Chief" piece to heart. Short of actually appointing, say, Monsanto’s chairman, it is hard to imagine a […]
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Michael Pollan, Nicholas Kristoff, and others weigh in on USDA pick
For the first time ever, I would wager, an incoming president’s USDA pick has emerged from the back news pages and into the national conversation. On the radio, three shows I know of devoted significant time to the topic. NPR’s Morning Edition interviewed Michael Pollan this morning; The Takeaway featured New York State farmer Ben […]
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Hilda Solis chosen to head Labor Department
Wow! This is amazing news. Solis has been one of the House’s leading champions of green jobs and environmental justice. She was the sponsor of the Green Jobs Bill. More on this soon, but … wo0t!
