Climate Change a Threat To Nat’l Security Say Senators

By Sam Wechsler - Talk Radio News Service

Climate change is a real and imminent threat to national security, said a group of senators Thursday during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing.

During a discussion regarding the value of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (Waxman-Markey bill), the senators agreed that it is important to decrease dependence on foreign oil.

“We’re not going to say no to importing all foreign oil, but when we look at some of the countries where we rely on for energy, [they are] countries that we would rather not be dealing with, that put us at risk when they cut off our supply,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

In addition to foreign oil, climate change may also affect the U.S.'s national security by heightening the intensity of conflicts abroad.

Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn, a witness at the hearing, likened climate change to a magnifying glass on global conflicts. He argued that climate change would create water shortages in some regions, crop failure, and cause environmentally displaced people to cross borders. “[Climate change] will place an avoidable and unacceptable burden on our young men and women in uniform now, and in generations to come,” said McGinn.

“I believe we must heed these warnings to protect our nation’s security,” added Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

Fate Of World's Climate Rests On America And China Says Kerry

“Twenty years from now, folks, I do not want to be debating who lost Earth,” Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) stated Wednesday during an address at the National Press Club in Washington.

“One hundred and ninety-two nations will gather this December in Copenhagen to hammer out a new global climate treaty, but two [the U.S. and China] have the capacity to set the tone and define what is possible,” he said, citing that the two nations together produce 40 percent of all carbon emissions in the world.

Kerry said there are grave misunderstandings between the American and Chinese populations that place a souring effect on the relationship between the two countries. He argued that America underestimates China’s willingness to fight climate change, and that China unreasonably fears that the U.S. is attempting to smother China’s economic rise.

Actually, Kerry said, China has already taken much more initiative towards renewable energy than most Americans realize. He reported that China is second in the world only to Germany in renewable energy investment; China currently invests $12.5 million per hour.

“China needs to understand that we will not enter into a global treaty ... without a meaningful commitment from China to be part of the solution,” said Kerry. He argued that the U.S. must persuade China to act quickly and decisively and that to do so is in their best interests.

Kerry said that the United States’ perception of China is far different from how China sees itself. America sees China as the leading producer of carbon emissions today, and a burgeoning economic powerhouse. However, he said, China sees itself as a country with less cumulative emissions historically than the U.S. and with 500 million citizens living on less than two dollars per day.

“Our climate diplomacy depends on building a framework that is flexible enough to accommodate individual countries’ wants and needs, but firm enough to bring all of us on board and hold all nations accountable,” said Kerry.

Climate Change Legislation Should Be About More Than Climate, Senators Say

By Sam Wechsler - Talk Radio News Service

Climate change legislation is not just about curbing global warming, but also about jobs and America’s health, argued Senators during an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on Tuesday.

Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) argued that while the bill intends to clean up America’s carbon footprint and to create new jobs in the renewable energy sector, it will also kill approximately 2.5 million other jobs. Bond also said that government does not create “green jobs," but rather buys them with taxpayer subsidies.

“I think one of our prime tests in moving forward with energy legislation and environmental legislation is not just energy security for America, which is critically important, we need to do that.....but we also need to keep jobs and create jobs in America,” said Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.).


During his testimony, Governor Bill Ritter (D-Colo.) discussed Colorado’s relatively low unemployment rate of 7.6%, which is nearly two points below the national average. “The new energy economy is certainly part of the reason we’re in such relatively strong shape,” he said.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) suggested that the country’s health should be of the utmost concern. He said that while some argue farmers have the most to lose if the country imposes costs and rules to clean up the environment, families with children and grandchildren actually have the most to lose. Citing increased risks of respiratory diseases due to pollution, he stated “we’ve all got a price to pay here, the question is, are we going to continue with our heads buried in the sand?”

Youth Have Key Role To Play In America's Future, Say Top Democrats

The younger generation has a key role to play in the fight to pass health care and climate legislation said prominent Democrats to students Wednesday. President Bill Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke at the Campus Progress National Conference, which brought together over 1,000 progressively minded students from across the United States.

President Clinton said America's youth "cannot just sit on the sidelines" of politics and must focus on the "how" when it comes to energy, health care and education policy.

"The answer can not just be more money...you have to look at the delivery system...Your life will be shaped by America's success of failure to do that," the former President said.

"These are mind numbingly difficult problems" he said, "[But] America works when we are all sort of stumbling in the right direction."

Speaker Pelosi praised student activists groups from across the country for the lobbying they have done in order to promote the Democrats' agenda. The Speaker said she was encouraged by the increase in youth mobilization and urged how imperative it is to passing new legislation.

"I have so much confidence in the future," she said.

Secretary Sebilius also spoke to the students about the importance of their participation in the health care reform debate.

"Not doing anything is not an alternative," she said.

Through the administration's proposed health care reform, "we have an opportunity to not only increase the health of America but also the wealth of the nation" said the Secretary.

Among other speakers at the conference were White House Green Jobs Special Adviser Van Jones, Daily Show Correspondent John Oliver and pop star Joel Madden.

"Do you know who inspires him [President Obama]? You," said Jones to the delighted crowd.

Post-Recess: Senate Takes Their Turn On Energy/Climate Discussion

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

The energy and climate debate is making its way to the Senate, just two legislative days after the House passed the Waxman-Markey energy bill. The Committee on Environment and Public Works heard from White House and other government officials Tuesday. They highlighted the importance of making the U.S. a leader in the clean energy market, reducing the effects of global warming, and creating new jobs in the process.

“Clean energy is to this decade, and the next, what the Space Race was to the 1950s and ‘60s. America is behind,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “American businesses need strong incentives and investments now in order for this nation to lead the twenty-first century global economy.”

Other officials present included: Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

Chu said that he applauds the House for passing the clean energy bill and said he looks forward to working with the Senate to pass “comprehensive energy legislation.” He also noted that denial of the climate change problem will not change the outcome but comprehensive legislation that caps and then reduces carbon emissions will.

Committee Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said, “I expect you will hear fierce words of doubt and fear and worse from the other side of the aisle regarding our legislative efforts to move forward with clean energy jobs legislation. This is consistent with a pattern of “No we can’t.” I believe this Committee, when the votes are eventually taken on our bill, will reflect our President’s attitude, which is “Yes, we can, and yes, we will.”

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) agreed that the bill will pass through their committee but he does not believe it will pass on the Senate floor. He said the Senators will have more time to review the many points of the legislation than House members did prior to their June 25 vote.

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.) also testified Tuesday and stressed the importance of informing the public about the facts of energy policy.

“The gigantic effect of energy policy on American life means Congress should work particularly hard to ensure Americans know the facts about the policies Congress is considering. To the contrary, the House of Representatives added more than 300 pages of its 1200 page energy bill a few hours before it was brought to the floor and passed. That is just the opposite,” said the Governor.