Climate Politics

E.U. likely to cut subsidies for farmers

With crop prices through the roof and scientific concerns being raised about the greenness of biofuels, various European countries have cut back tax breaks and subsidies for farmers — and now the European Union as a whole is planning to follow suit.

A quick history of N.Y.’s incoming governor David Paterson and his environmental record

It's official. Spitzer's splitting because of his loose zipper. Lt. Gov. David Paterson has been given an unexpected promotion. Now that we know what is going to happen with the personnel shift, people are scrambling to gauge how this new governor will deal with ongoing issues in the Empire State, a state that is third largest in both population and economy.

I was born and raised in New York state, and pretty much all of my family still lives there -- so I have been particularly riveted by all this, running up and down the Grist office like a gossiping hen. But now my interest is focused on Paterson, the accidental history-maker (first African-American governor in state history, first legally blind governor in U.S. history -- New Yorkers know how to do it big), and his environmental record. After a quick LexisNexis search, I found some hits that I would like to share. (Sorry, the Daily News does not have links for the articles I reference.)

Spitzer’s successor may continue doing good for green

Snark aside, the ascension of the former Lt. Gov. David Paterson could very well mean good things for environmental progress. He recently chaired the state's Renewable Energy Task Force, which recently recommended an increase in the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard. As he comes in without a direct voter mandate and has to deal with a fairly acrimonious legislative environment, what better way to establish a popular mandate than adopt something super popular -- say, solar energy, which polls in the 90th percentile and makes a lot of jobs at the same time -- as a signature issue?

And if you want to play out this fantasy strategy further, the new Guv (who started, what, a few hours ago?) has to start thinking about getting reelected. And his potential challenger has already laid out a fairly ambitious solar agenda. So, in order to undercut his opponent's strength, Paterson really has no choice but to double down and announce a world-class solar program for the state. It's pretty much his only chance to be successful.

Lemonade!

A quick survey of carbon taxes outside of Cascadia

British Columbia's bombshell announcement of a carbon tax shift last month made me want some context. Here's a rundown of other carbon taxes elsewhere in the world. As I noted, none of them is as consistent and comprehensive as B.C.'s, though some do have higher tax rates. In most cases, these levies came in tax shifts that reduced payroll taxes, business taxes, or other energy taxes. B.C.'s starts at $10.10 per metric ton of CO2 equivalent and rises in steps to $30.30 in 2012.

At least nine jurisdictions elsewhere in the world claim to have carbon taxes. (Good starting places for learning about them are the Carbon Tax Center and these dated but informative U.S. EPA sites.)

EPA lowers ozone limit, but ignores scientific advisers’ calls to lower it more

Photo: iStockphoto In an effort to clear up smog, the U.S. EPA on Wednesday lowered the permissible amount of ozone in the air, a move that will require 345 counties around the country to clamp down on pollution over the coming years. But the agency ignored the calls of its own scientific advisers for a […]

Lots of important news on climate policy, hastily summarized

I’m at the airport, using a painfully slow wi-fi connection, boarding in about 20 min., and the “c” key on my keyboard is on the fritz and works about once every three times I hit it. (Just what you want before a liveblogging weekend!) However, there are a few key pieces of news I need […]

Wear blue for Earth Day 2008 to vote for no coal!

(high-res version here; free for distribution)

Earth Day 2008 is going to be historic. We, along with numerous other groups around the nation, are calling on everyone to wear blue during Earth Day 2008 to signify a vote for no coal. Events will be happening around the world from April 19-22, so ...

What does Spitzer’s exit mean for environmentalism, and how is that funny?

So long, and thanks for all the dish. So how about this Spitzer business, huh? So much to say, so much humor to mine, so little of it related to the environment in any way … days like these, I envy Wonkette. Ah well, here’s an attempt at something reasonably serious. Spitzer was an environmental […]

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer resigns, leaving behind eco-legacy

Prostitution-ring participant Eliot Spitzer has resigned as New York’s governor, leaving behind a not-too-shabby environmental legacy. As New York’s attorney general, he sued the Bush administration over various eco-issues, including greenhouse-gas emissions, mercury pollution and water guzzling from power plants, pesticide use in public housing, and efficiency standards for appliances. Photo: ny.gov Spitzer took plenty […]

Obamamississippi

Barack Obama won the Mississippi primary today by a huge margin: 60-37. Blacks composed more than half the turnout and 90% of them voted for Obama. Only a third of whites did, marking one of the most racially divided contests yet. This is the beginning of a six-week lacuna between primaries — next up is […]