The Political Climate: an ongoing commentary on the NH Primary and Climate Change

England’s The Guardian newspaper reports on the rather alarming findings of Marko Scholze at Bristol University. His work seems to improve on past studies by combining models predicting global warming effects on weather with models predicting effects on vegatation to create a “much more comprehensive study,” according to Alan O’Neill of the National Centre for Earth Observation. Another interesting part of this article concerns a carbon dioxide “tipping point” that occurs when vegatation reaches a state of carbon saturation and the ecosystem begins to give off more CO2 than it takes in. The article is here.

North of the border, the CBC has this article on research conducted by a team led by Hugo Beltrami of St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scota that studied evidence of climate change found in rock cores. The conclusion: “The researchers found evidence of an increase in the heat content of the continents over the past 500 years. Nearly a third of the heat was gained since 1950.”

The Political Climate is keeping tabs on the debate over the Lempster wind farm project. There hasn’t been anything new on that front, but Sheffield, Vermont seems to be confronting a similar debate. The project, which was approved by voters in December, calls for a 26 turbine wind farm (6 of the turbines would be in Sutton, whose voters rejected the plan). The farm would provide enough energy to power 15,000 to 20,000 homes, but with the windmills would dramatically alter the view of a ridgeline.

So, again we have the trade-off of a clean, renewable energy source at the expense of a pristine view and town “character.” These are difficult and emotionally-charged decisions. Energy choices are not consequence-free and it is important to remember that the choice is not between a wind farm and no wind farm. It is a choice between a wind farm and another method of producing energy, probably burning coal. TPC does not advocate for or against any particular wind project - these are decision that are properly made on the local level - but hopes that the true choice (between wind power and some other form) is kept in mind by all concerned.

Not surprisingly, the change in the Democratic nominating calendar has led to much posturing, but with the common undertone that the new schedule will not basically change the NH primary. Time will tell, of course, but The Politcal Climate does not expect to have to look too hard to find candidates in NH in 2007. And we actually make it easier for you to find them as well, with the Clean Energy Calendar - updated every week.

Frank Luntz, who you may remember as the Republican pollster who helped craft the messages behind the “Contract With America” in the 1990s has some interesting information from focus groups he did with Republicans in New Hampshire and Iowa. The Arizona Republic ran the story, which confirms McCain as the current Republican frontrunner. Luntz has former House Speaker Newt Gingrich most surpassing expectations, though some thought he was too “combative.” George Allen receives kudos for his style, though women don’t seem to like him. Bill Frist will probably not be overjoyed with the reaction he received.

By the way, aren’t we past the point where Mitt Romney’s religious affiliation would be a major election barrier?