Cheney Edits Testimony on Consequences of Climate Change on Public Health

The Washington Post reported yesterday, in an attempt to play down the facts on the harmful impact of global warming, the office of Vice President Dick Cheney pushed to delete references to the consequences of climate change on public health from congressional testimony.

The proposed testimony came last October from Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Julie Gerberding.

The White House explanation for the edited testimony came in alleged concerns in the accuracy of the science by advisor John Marburger of the White House Office of Science & Technology.

Jason Bernett, former senior EPA official, claimed in a letter to Sen. Barbara Boxer, who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, that the White House was concerned that the testimony might make it harder to avoid regulating greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

Hiding the truth has become a terrifying habit of this administration. Their failure to put the safety of the American public before their ties to the oil and gas industries is an embarrassment to the oaths that they took to serve the best interests of the nation.

The evidence is in the science that has been indisputable for years. The devastating implications of global warming must be addressed, and the administration is doing everything in its power to make sure that they are not.

To read the Washington Post article, go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/08/AR2008070801442.html

The Cartoon is from Roll Call

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Rally Behind a Strong Climate Security Act

This afternoon’s press conference and rally was joined by key leaders in the Senate who took time before the floor debate to voice their support for the passing of a strong Climate Security Act.

Present were Senators Boxer, Cardin, Kerry, Klobuchar, and Snowe.

They represented a united front for a sustainable future, characterized by green jobs, better security, and a stronger economy.

It was just as much a rally for them, leading into the debate, as it was for those watching. Senator Boxer said of her fellow senators that they knew this argument by heart, and that despite the hard and lonely fight against special interests, they stood unwavering with science and bipartisan support on the side of passing the Climate Security Act.

Senator Kerry said that the passing of this bill “goes to the core of our very responsibilities as legislatures for the future.” To him and the other senators standing beside this cause is a “matter of public responsibility.”

In addition to the comments made by the senators, there were remarks made by members of the religious, scientific, labor, economic and environmental communities in support of the passing of a strong bill to combat global warming.

Their stories of how the evidence of global warming is affecting their lives and their work proved further that the people of this nation are ahead of the federal government when it comes to accepting the realities and severities of the implications of a changing environment.

Stand Up for the Climate Security Act

Monday, June 2^nd, LCV President, Gene Karpinski will be at the Upper Senate Park along with speakers from Natural Resources Defense Council, Johns Hopkins University, and the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, among others, to rally around strengthening and supporting the Climate Security Act.

Senator Barbara Boxer is hosting this press event, to start at 1 pm, to bring together the diverse collation to show support for the debate that will be happening that day on the 7^th floor of the Capital.

Our message to congress for the Climate Security Act is to strengthen the framework for reducing our global warming pollution and pass a sound piece of legislation to combat the effects that we have had on climate change. Come out to be a part of this historic event for the environment.

Karpinski Joins Boxer at Congress

LCV joined Senator Barbara Boxer and leaders from major environmental organizations at Congress today to talk about moving America towards a clean energy future. Sen. Boxer said that increasing numbers of Republican and Democratic senators are warming to the Warner-Lieberman bill, which will require increased energy efficiency and clean fuels. She added that voters will hold accountable those delegates who try to block pro-environmental legislation.

Karpinski bolstered her remarks, saying, “Now, in the face of an economy dragged down by $100-plus per barrel crude, record oil company profits and a growing recognition of the need for immediate action on global warming, 2008 will be a year when the American people expect more. The best thing members of Congress can do this year -- for the future of the planet, consumers, and the economy, not to mention their own reelection -- is to support a strong global warming bill that achieves the emissions reductions the science shows are necessary."

It was inspiring to see Sen. Boxer on stage with some of the environmental movement’s most influential figures. The leaders joining Karpinski were Kevin Knobloch (President of the Union of Concerned Scientists), Frances Beinecke (President of the National Resources Defense Council), and Carl Pope (President of the Sierra Club).

See here for the press release.