Climate Politics

Environmentalists pick their sides in key Senate races

It’s a rare political event that can draw applause from both the White House and environmental groups, but Lincoln Chafee’s victory in the Rhode Island Republican primary on Tuesday was just that. Lincoln Chafee. The Bush administration reasons that Chafee — the most liberal Republican in the Senate, and frequently at odds with Bush on […]

The Magnificent 87

California’s Prop. 87, which would tax oil to fund renewables, spurs big spending Proposition 87, a California ballot measure that would tax oil production and use the proceeds for research into alternative energy, is spurring some big spending. Oil companies have raised nearly all of the more than $35 million in the “No on 87” […]

Mopping Up the Florida

Activists hope Florida gubernatorial candidates will prioritize oceans Fed up with mediocre oceans management from Gov. Jeb Bush (R), Florida activists are urging gubernatorial candidates Jim Davis (D) and Charlie Crist (R) to make the deep blue sea a priority. Yesterday, 20 environmental, recreational, and civic groups released a report with recommendations for curbing coastal […]

A dispatch from environment day at the Latino Congreso

Oliver Bernstein is the deputy press secretary for diversity programs for the Sierra Club. He represented the Sierra Club at the Latino Congreso in Los Angeles. Friday, 8 Sep 2006 LOS ANGELES, Calif. “The environment? What’s up with that?” This used to be the reaction of many Latinos to hearing about environmental issues, says Roger […]

British enviros worry Gordon Brown won’t be green

With British PM Tony Blair on his way out sometime in the next year -- though he won't be pinned down on a date -- Chancellor of the Exchequer (aka Finance Minister) Gordon Brown is poised to assume leadership of the Labour Party and hence the British government. What will this mean for the environment? The British press is starting to assess.

Sarah Mukherjee of BBC writes that greens haven't been impressed with Blair's follow-through on efforts to fight climate change, but they're "even more worried about Gordon Brown":

California climate deal could help Schwarzenegger win reelection

He rose to fame as a cyborg warrior fighting to wipe out life on the planet. Now he’s fighting to save it. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is about to sign into law the most ambitious global-warming legislation in U.S. history — and in a twist worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, the Republican’s support for mandatory […]

Ivory Cower

Ivory Coast government resigns after dumped toxic-waste sickens hundreds Fumes from toxic waste that was recently dumped around Abidjan, Ivory Coast, have killed three people and sickened more than 1,500. Under criticism that the government failed to act decisively, Ivorian Interim Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny took the unprecedented step of dissolving his cabinet, and […]

Enviros are split over Lieberman vs. Lamont

Progressives around the country cheered when Ned Lamont knocked out Sen. Joe Lieberman in Connecticut’s Democratic primary last month, but some enviros held their applause. Joe Lieberman. Photo: Paul Morigi/ WireImage Lieberman — now running as an independent in an effort to hold onto his seat — has, by most accounts, been a standout leader […]

Left and Fright

Is there a place for fear in environmentalism? Fear: it’s as American as freedom fries these days, and the Right isn’t afraid to manipulate you with it. Anger and fear are good motivators, like it or not, and violence is oft cited as effectively “sending a message.” Should environmentalists be focusing more energies on scare […]

A Ploy Named Sue

With feds asleep at the wheel, states sue to protect air and water Frustrated by federal inaction, states and localities are increasingly suing companies and even each other in attempts to curb air and water pollution. Oklahoma, for instance, has filed suit against eight companies that operate chicken farms in neighboring Arkansas, charging that farm […]