Obama Events Underway

Carol Browner, LCV Board Member and Former EPA Administrator, at the announcement event in Washington, DC.

Stay tuned for updates from the other events going on nationwide...

Gore remains inspiration to LCV policy team

We were treated yesterday to a momentous and inspirational speech in downtown DC by former Vice President Al Gore. He challenged the American people to revolutionize our country by switching to 100% renewable energy sources within ten years.

His words were informative and backed by facts from world famous scientists and energy entrepreneurs. His is a truly thoughtful solution to the threat of global climate change. The message was confident, simple, and truthful, that the audience could not help but be inspired and rejuvenated with new hope for the energy future of our planet.

On another front, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid showed great leadership this week by continuing to stand firm against the pro-drilling lobby backed by the oil and gas industry. Our environmental champions continue to fight hard to protect our coasts and pass clean energy legislation that will create jobs, save us money, and combat global climate change.

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

LCV Endorsements

Today, LCV President Gene Karpinski joined Mary Jo Kilroy in Columbus, Ohio to give her our endorsement in the election for the 15^th Congressional District. They met for an event highlighting the challenge of global warming and the potential of clean energy.

Also out of the office today was LCV Deputy Legislative Director Tim Greeff, who joined Andrew Rice at the Bergey Wind Power Co. in Norman, Oklahoma to give him our endorsement for the U.S. Senate.

Both Kilroy and Rice, as state legislators, have a history of making the environment a priority in their respective district and state. Their commitment to supporting alternative energy development on a national level will stimulate much needed change in Congress as LCV works towards electing pro-environment members and attain a 60-vote filibuster proof majority in the Senate.

To read LCV’s release on the endorsement of Andrew Rice, go to: http://lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/lcv-endorses-andrew-rice-for-senate.html

To read LCV’s release on the endorsement of Mary Jo Kilroy, go to:

http://lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/lcv-endorses-mary-jo-kilroy-in-ohio-s-15th-congressional-district.html

Second Annual Lobby Day a Success!

Today marked the second annual LCV Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, where members of our Board, staffers and supporters of state LCVs across the country met with members of Congress and their staff members.

The big topics of the day were global warming legislation and the steps that, together, we can take to actively address our dependence on oil and the impacts of climate change.

We were honored to get a breakfast briefing from a longtime environmental champion, Congressman Henry Waxman of California. Then, in a whirlwind circuit around the Hill from the House side of the U.S. Capitol to the Senate side and back -- several times -- LCV met with 49 other members, including league-endorsed Rep. Jerry McNerney and and Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Mark Udall.

A special shout out to a pair of our champs, Sens. Barbara Boxer and Jon Tester, for making time to meet with us on this important day.

Today LCV was able to voice your support for strong global warming legislation and the Clean Water Restoration Act directly with members of Congress and forge relationships on both sides of the aisle that will be key to passing strong legislation this year.

(photos from today, below)

LCV Endorses Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

Today LCV endorsed Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona for reelection in the 8^th District. Giffords has dedicated her career to protecting Arizona’s natural heritage and has worked tirelessly to expand solar energy, creating green jobs throughout her state.

She earned herself a 95% LCV score in 2007 and a 100% lifetime score from the Arizona LCV as a state legislator for 4 years.

Tim Greeff, LCV Deputy Legislative Director, was with Giffords yesterday to giver her the endorsement. “She has become one of the great champions of clean energy and of protecting our planet for future generations,” Tim said. “America needs more leaders like Gabrielle Giffords.”

To read LCV’s release on the endorsement, go to: http://lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/lcv-endorses-congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords.html

Tony Massaro, Ann Kirkpatrick, and Bill Roe at the Endorsement Event in Flagstaff, AZ

Images from the Rally: For more join our Facebook Group

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.

LCV Staff Retreats to Chesapeake Bay

LCV staff members were lucky to have the chance to take a full-day retreat to the ultra-hip and super-eco-friendly Merrill Environmental Center at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. We discussed our 2007 highs and lows, set goals for 2008 and beyond and enjoyed a day away from the bustle of downtown D.C.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Headquarters building is recognized as one of the "greenest" buildings ever constructed. Sustainability issues ranging from energy use to material selection were given serious consideration throughout design and construction of this facility. It was the first building to receive a Platinum rating through the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System, version 1.0.

Covered in recycled cans and cars and heated by solar panels, the building is capable of using 70 percent less energy than a typical office building.

While we were there, Kerry snapped some great photos of the building itself, and of the beautiful waters which the Foundation works to protect.

Donna wins!

LARGO, MD – By choosing Donna Edwards in the Democratic primary for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District seat, voters here today overwhelmingly embraced a clean, renewable energy future and rejected corporate polluting interests and candidates that pander to Big Oil.

Edwards, an African-American woman and Democratic Party challenger in a densely populated suburban district, is committed to environmental values and has a willingness to lead on the most pressing issue of our generation: global warming. She received the strong support of the League of Conservation Voters and overcame long odds to claim victory in today’s Maryland primary.

Here are some photos from tonight's event:

Special Delivery

We had the great honor of having an extraordinary activist on hand to help us deliver our quarter-million-strong petition at the CNN-sponsored debate in Hollywood today: Laurie David.

Global warming activists from MoveOn.org, the Califronia LCV and many others joined in to raise visibility of the the issue amidst the throngs of Obama and Clinton supporters. Check out some photos below.

Then after snagging credentials to the media spin room, Laurie and David Sandretti, LCV's
Communications Director, made pitches to other reporters about the importance of our issues.

Thanks for your help with the WhatAreTheyWaitingFor.com campaign. Let's see if they got the message in tonight's debate and on the coming Sunday talk shows.

Hello from Hollywood!

LA is buzzing. No -- not because of Britney's latest trouble.

On the TV, radio and in the streets, people are talking about tonight's debate between Senators Clinton and Obama. It's just a few hours away from now and their supporters are starting to gather.

LCV is here, too. Stay tuned for more in this space.

At last night's debate, all the Republican candidates parted ways with the Bush Administration and said they would allow California and other states to implement their own global warming plans and tougher auto emissions. We hope more discussion of this important issue is to come tonight.

Here are some photos from Los Angeles

Chairman of IPCC testifies before Congress

Today Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, testified before the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Chairman Edward J. Markey of the Select Committee hosted what was Dr. Pachauri’s first appearance before Congress.

In his somber, eloquent testimony, Dr. Pauchauri reminded Congress that addressing global warming isn’t just about installing wind turbines and passing vehicle efficiency standards; it's about protecting the poorest, most vulnerable people on the planet. Evoking Ghandi he quoted, "Anything you do, you must look at what the implications will be for the least privileged." In material terms, he was alluding to shocking statistics that a warming climate will likely lead to water stresses and crop reduction by 50% in some African countries by 2020.

Dr. Pachauri also testified that global warming cannot be stopped. Even if the world’s greenhouse gas emissions peaked in 2015, the gases already in the atmosphere would continue warming the earth by 0.1 degrees every decade. This climate shift will be enough to make one fifth to one third of the earth’s organisms extinct. There is a strong possibility that Greenland will collapse, creating higher ocean levels that will change the world’s geography.

Nevertheless, Dr. Pachauri reminded the Select Committee that there is reason to be hopeful, and to start moving towards becoming a low emission society. All the green technology that we need has either been developed or will be so in the next two decades. Genetically modified crops can be developed to become more flood and drought resistant. The use of wind power is dramatically rising around the globe. Countries like Germany are having an "Energy Renaissance" which is bringing economic growth. If America engages in investment flows, technology transfers, and incentives towards clean energies, it can lead the world as a low emissions economy.

Capping carbon need not be at the expense of alleviating poverty in the developing world, and Dr. Pachauri called one of his personal missions "Lighting a million lights." He is dedicated to bringing renewable energy that is affordable to the 1.6 billion people who currently have no access to electricity. As a society that is "preoccupied with human rights," he encouraged the US to engage with its own low-emission partnership activities with developing countries.

(Image from Dagbladet: www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2007/01/29/490346.html)

'07 Scorecard Nearing Completion

Thanks to the hard work of the LCV staff, which spent time this afternoon fact checking and re-checking Senate and House votes and scores, the 2007 National Environmental Scorecard is nearing completion. Check LCV.org in the coming weeks to see when the Scorecard will be released.

The Role of Youth Voters in '08

Today the Center for American Progress Action Fund hosted "Super Tuesday and the Youth Vote," a forum at which panelists discussed the important role young people are playing in today’s elections. The speakers and moderator Erica Williams offered some interesting insights to a room filled with twenty-somethings sipping coffee. It was not unlike university students attending a lecture about themselves.

Here are a couple of points they made:

Kat Barr, director of education at Rock the Vote, said that absolutely the best way to get people (young and old) to the polls is to knock on doors, make phone calls and even approach people at bus stops and offer to register them on the spot. It was an apt description of what LCV staffers have been doing in Marylands 4th Congressional District, going door-to-door in support of Donna Edwards.

TaToia Jones, executive director of College Democrats of America, took the idea one step further and said her think tank frequents nightclubs to put fliers on car windshields. An interesting approach, although we're left to wonder if people go to clubs (or leave) with elections on their minds.

Ethan Eilon, executive director of the College Republican National Committee, said that environmental circumstances have recently boosted youth turnout at elections, proving that the environment is a truly bi-partisan issue.

Finally Karlo Barrios Marcelo rebuffed an attendee’s question of why the current young generation is more apathetic than, say, Vietnam protestors in the 60’s. "Young people are involved," Marcelo replied. However, he added, youth today are generally more committed to acts of community service and information-seeking than public outcries of anger.

The Center for American Progress Fund has started an online video testimonial campaign called ‘I’m Voting For...’

Send them a video telling them what issue is most important to you, and they’ll send it to the presidential candidates and major media to let them know what’s on young peoples’ minds!

Here are some photos from this morning's event:

Obama draws a huge D.C. crowd; McCain visits the District

This morning, American University hosted a rare primary season appearance for a presidential candidate in D.C.

Barack Obama was in the District to accept endorsements from Senator Ted Kennedy, Representative Patrick Kennedy and President Kennedy's daughter, Caroline.

Hasan, Maggie and Jay ventured on the Metro from LCV's downtown offices to Tenlytown to check out the crowd. It was - in a word - overwhelming.

The event took place in American's Bender Arena, which has a max capacity of about 6,000 people. Unfortunately for Obama supporters, about 20,000 people were in line by the time the doors opened at 11 a.m.

Below are some photos from before this morning's event at American.

Another presidential hopeful, Republican John McCain, is also inside the Beltway today. The Senator from Arizona is hosting a $1,000 or $2,300-per-ticket event at Charlie Palmer's Steakhouse before President Bush's State of the Union Address. Here's guessing attendance at McCain's event won't be as abundant.







Even the enviro crowd was represented:

"State of the Environment" held at U.S. Capitol

LCV president Gene Karpinski and other experts from America’s leading environmental and science groups hosted a morning press briefing at the U.S. Capitol on energy and environmental issues to help reporters prepare to cover President Bush’s final State of the Union Address, the upcoming congressional session, and the presidential primary season.

Joining Karpinski at the table were Anna Aurilio, Washington office director, Environment America, Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy for the Union of Concerned Scientists, Debbie Sease, the Sierra Club's director of national campaigns and Karen Wayland, legislative director, Natural Resources Defense Council.

The experts touched on a number of topics, including Congress’ stimulus package, pending global warming legislation, the California tailpipe standard waiver, state renewable energy standards, and international climate negotiations and answered a flurry of questions from local and national press.

The event was held in the venerable House Appropriations Committee Room, the first room in the United States Capitol decorated with murals by Constantino Brumidi (1805-1880), who painted them in 1855-1856.

Help Elect Donna!

LCV and the Maryland League of Conservation Voters today announced endorsements of Donna Edwards in the race for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District seat.

“LCV is endorsing Donna Edwards for Congress because she has been an outstanding leader on the environment,” LCV President Gene Karpinski said. “Donna understands that addressing global warming and putting our country on track to a clean energy future needs to be at the top of Congress’ agenda.”

You can help: sign up today and go door-to-door in the 4th Congressional District educating voters about how Donna Edwards will be a champion for a clean energy future in America.

First reactions following New Hampshire primary

The most wide-open presidential race in 60 years remains wide open after tonight, as John McCain and Hillary Clinton won New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary after caucus wins by Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee in Iowa.

The true frontrunner in the 2008 presidential campaign so far is the issue of global warming: all four winning candidates to date support capping greenhouse gas emissions and solving the global warming crisis...more

photo by Linda Davidson, The Washington Post

photo by AP

photo by AP