Climate action of all kinds takes Capitol Hill by storm
It’s only Wednesday, but it’s already been a full week of rip-roarin’ climate action on Capitol Hill. After a coalition of investors pleaded for emissions cuts on Monday, hundreds of activists gathered Tuesday for “Climate Crisis Action Day.” The group heard from senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), as well as Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), who used his moment at the mic to introduce the Safe Climate Act, which calls for 80 percent cuts from 1990 emissions levels by 2050. Meanwhile, the country’s top utility chiefs said at a House hearing that they weren’t opposed to mandatory emissions cuts. Invigorating stuff — but it pales in comparison to today. Al Gore! Is testifying! In the House and Senate! As frenzied media circle — including Grist’s Amanda Griscom Little — Gore is addressing giddy fans and staunch foes alike. “Those who believe all his garbage are going to be excited to death,” said Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), “and the rest of us are going to ignore it.”
