Climate Politics

Obama considers RFK Jr. for EPA

Holy sh*t: President-elect Barack Obama is strongly considering Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Environmental Protection Agency, a Cabinet post, Democratic officials told Politico. I must say, I don’t see this: The selection of Kennedy would be a shrewd early move for the new presidential team. Obama advisers said the nomination would please both […]

Obama on dealing with dumb debate questions

“I often find myself trapped by the questions and thinking to myself, ‘You know, this is a stupid question, but let me … answer it.’ Instead of being appropriately [the tape is garbled]. So when Brian Williams is asking me about what’s a personal thing that you’ve done [that’s green], and I say, you know, […]

It’s almost over

House Dems already talking about major leadership changes

Mere hours after the election, some Democrats in the House are plotting a major leadership shakeup. Via Politico: House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry A. Waxman is calling senior Democrats to seek the top spot on Energy and Commerce, according to Democrats on and off Capitol Hill. This puts the Californian in a direct […]

A video story of post-election hopes for the planet

Now that the most epic presidential election of our lives is over, Americans should have plenty of free time on our hands. So, what next? This is where Jo comes in. She’s an average American looking for real — heck, any — leadership on climate change from a shiny new President Obama. And she’s got […]

A green look at election results in Washington state

Once the BIG race for the White House was called, Seattle-area voters turned their attention to that other Washington. Here are some key races in Washington state and a look at what the election results could mean for the environment: Christine Gregoire. Governor: Christine Gregoire The governor’s race was a close one again this year […]

And now …

The Alliance for Climate Protection, the group started by Al Gore, took out this ad in the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal today. It highlights the fact that though the election is over, the fight for clean energy and a stable climate is far from finished:

Bush admin to open almost 360,000 acres of Utah public lands to drilling

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced Tuesday that over 359,000 acres of public lands in Utah will be up for lease in December, some of which have “wilderness characteristics” or are “in the vicinity of national parks or monuments.” Meanwhile, the Government Accountability Office released a report criticizing the Bush administration’s public-lands leasing process, […]

Environmental leaders offer their elevator pitches for Obama

We asked a number of leaders in environment and sustainability issues to imagine they found themselves in an elevator with the president-elect — giving them one minute of his undivided attention. Here are their messages to Obama about how he should approach environment, energy, and climate policy. (For more perspectives, check out Part 2, Part […]

California OKs measure requiring more humane treatment of farm animals

California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 2, which will require that egg-laying hens, calves raised for veal, and pregnant pigs be given enough room to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs, and turn around freely. Get the background on this groundbreaking ballot initiative.