Actress Sigourney Weaver Warns Of Increasing Ocean Acidification

By Justine Rellosa
Talk Radio News Service

On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Actress Sigourney Weaver said without climate legislation, the U.S. risks allowing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to have monumental negative impacts on ocean acidification.

Weaver and others testified Thursday before a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee.

“The oceans are 30 percent more acidic than they were during pre-industrial times and if we continue burning fossil fuels as we are now, we will double the ocean’s acidity by the end of the century,” said Weaver.

According to Dr. James Barry, Senior Scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), several studies and workshops have concluded that during the past decade there has been a massive influx of CO2 emissions into our oceans. Such pollution, he said, poses a threat to the livelihood of the ecosystem.

“[CO2 emissions] could have very significant effects on marine ecosystems,” said Barry. “Eventually, over 85 percent of all emissions will reside in the ocean and this CO2 will mix throughout the depths of the ocean.”

Weaver challenged lawmakers to put aside their differences and enact climate and energy legislation that will push America towards a clean energy economy.

“Lawmakers must help ocean ecosystems adapt to the changes brought about by a warming climate and acidifying oceans. To make the oceans more resilient to these changes, we need to do a better job of keeping the oceans healthy.”

Chances Of Climate Bill Passing This Year Are Slim, Says Expert

The odds of Congress passing a comprehensive climate control bill in 2010 are not very good, according to Margie Kriz Hobson with the National Journal. Hobson, an energy and environment reporter at the Washington, D.C. based political news organization, told Talk Radio News Service on Friday that simply put, Democrats who want a bill passed do not have the votes.

"I think that the chances of passing climate change legislation are less than 50/50," Hobson told TRNS correspondent Geoff Holtzman. "A dozen Democrats are saying they're not necessarily interested in a bill, and very few Republicans have even hinted that they'd consider voting for a bill, so you just don't have the numbers."

The Washington Post reported on Friday that Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) will unveil a climate proposal on April 26. According to sources, the legislation would include a measure to place carbon emissions caps on businesses and manufacturers. Hobson said most experts believe that many lawmakers just don't have the political will to support a cap-and-trade provision.

"People can definitely describe [cap-and-trade] as a tax," she said. "The House passed a climate bill last year, only the Democrats voted for it. And now, many have discovered that their votes are being used against them in their campaigns for re-election. [Senate Democrats] have to see the pain that it's causing their House colleagues."

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A Full House

Coffee Brown, University of New Mexico, Talk Radio News

House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) presented the House Democrats’ agenda for the economy, energy, education and healthcare.

The economy remains the top item, divided between the budget and legislation to address the crisis. “The economy is continuing to suffer, we’re continuing to see the loss of jobs, many Americans continue to be put at risk,” Hoyer said.

The budget focuses on making “strategic investments” and reversing “years of irresponsible Republican policies,” he said. “We believe all of the bills we’ve passed are consistent with trying to create jobs and invest (in economic recovery).”

Two corrective legislations arebeing proposed. The “Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act of 2009”, which is designed to require fairer interest rates and practices for consumers. For example, it would require that the highest interest rate-bearing part of a debt be reduced first by payments, rather last, as is now the often the case.

“In addition, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act should come out of committee this week or next,” Hoyer said.

There is a 600 page “discussion document” and four more hearings to shape the American Security and Clean Energy Act, which the House hopes to consider in early summer. He noted that this is this is the 39th anniversary of Earth Day, “I remember because I’ve been working here since the first one.”

The Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means and the Education and Labor Committees are all simultaneously working on healthcare reform. Democrats hope to have healthcare legislation on the House Floor for consideration by the August break. The goal is universal coverage and accessibility, though probably not a publicly funded single-payer model.

Hoyer discussed his recent trip to South America. Mexico seems to be committed to working with the U.S. to fight drug smuggling and related violence. Panama is willing to work on their role as a drug smuggling highway, which has increased as American forces become more successful at interdiction at sea, and on money laundering. Columbia has reduced the power of the drug lords. He described the discussions with Brazil as “positive’” “useful” and “engaging,” and said they are interested in advancing a partnership with the U.S.

Gun control may have to remain in the DC voting rights bill, if it is to pass within this session, according to Hoyer, who said, “The biggest objective is to enfranchise the roughly 600,000 citizens of the United States who happen to live in the District of Columbia.” He called their current lack of voting rights “an egregious hole in the integrity of our democracy.”

Next congress looks at hate crimes legislation

Pelosi Paints the Capital Green

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

To mark Earth Day, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi introduced a plan to paint green the marble columns of the Capitol with energy efficiency and environmental initiatives. She calls it the “Green the Capitol Initiative.”

Pelosi’s plan involves 15 distinct steps to conserve energy and reduce waste, and is aimed specifically at congressional offices. Among Pelosi’s 15 measures are the use of compact florescent light bulbs, recycling used office items, and conserving electricity by powering off lights and computers while not in use. Additionally, Speaker Pelosi is encouraging the use of public transportation and the conservation of basic office supplies.

“The Capitol, which has always served as a beacon of freedom, is now a shining example of sustainability.” Pelosi said. She continued that the House has reduced its carbon emissions by 72 percent recently. She continued that if all Congressional offices adopt this plan, it will result in a savings of $1 million in energy costs and will cut energy consumption in the Capitol by nearly 10 percent.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Oreg.), who Pelosi called “the main instigator” of the green plan, believes that Congress is setting a good example for the rest of the country. He said, “If we model the behavior we want the rest of America to follow, it has a profound effect.”

Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) said that one of the first things he did when coming into Congress was institute a recycling program in his offices. He grinned at the savings

“Just during the transition from the 110th to 111th Congress, Congress saved over 60,000 pounds of paper. Lujan joked with the Speaker, “I was going to bring an example of that, but I couldn’t forklift it in, just to give an example of what we’ve truly saved.”

Pelosi called it the moral responsibility of Congress. Her office is encouraging all members to adopt these “green” plans. “I think most members of the Congress are doing some of this,” but she could not give exact numbers on who has implemented all of these recommendations. “The Speakers office is doing all of this,” Pelosi said proudly of the recommendations.

Energy Debate Continues on Earth Day

By Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News
The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee celebrated Earth Day by hearing testimony on the American Clean Energy and Security Act from 21 witnesses, including U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lisa Jackson.

Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA) released draft legislation three weeks ago to reduce American dependence on foreign oil and introduces a clean energy requirement for electric utilities and new energy efficiency programs. The legislation also places a cap on greenhouse-gas pollution and institutes low-carbon requirements for vehicles and fuels.

Rep. Waxman said that “it is no longer a question whether we will act to reduce CO2 emissions,” but “the real question is whether we will do so in a way that strengthens our economy, creates new jobs, and ends our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.”

Rep. Markey said: “We cannot continue energy policies that look to last century’s energy sources while other nations race ahead to take the lead in developing and marketing clean energy technologies and green jobs.”

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu said America “will continue to use coal as a fuel, but we must learn to do so in a cleaner way.”

The Obama administration believes a Renewable Electricity Standard would create jobs and that a gradual, market-based cap on carbon pollution would restore America’s leadership in clean energy technology.

“We need not only jump-start our economy today but to lay the foundation for America’s long term prosperity,” said Chu.

Lisa Jackson, Administrator with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said that “lasting economic recovery will come only when the federal government looks beyond the quick fix and invests in building the advanced energy industries that will help restore America’s economic health over the long term.”

Republicans fear that this legislation is going to cost Americans up to $3,128 in raised energy costs and Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) said that “you name the cost, and it’s going to go up.”

Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) said that nuclear power needs to be addressed and he feels the middle class will end up paying for raised energy costs. We will “essentially kick working families when they’re down,” said Upton.