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

On Monday two NH citizens wrote this letter to the editor calling President Bush’s use of China as a global warming scapegoat a “pitiful excuse.” “Who will act? Congress and industry should step up to the plate. We the people must contact our leaders to bolster their resolve. “

Others seem to be making up for the Bush administration’s inaction. Today House Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Beard presents a plan to make the House of Representatives carbon neutral. The plan includes changing to energy efficient lighting (CFLs), purchasing Energy Star products, using Ethanol-85 in official vehicles, and purchasing renewable power. The report estimates that these changes would eliminate 57,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, which would be equivalent to removing 11,000 cars from the road. Beard explains “Congress should set the highest standard for environmental stewardship and sustainable energy use.” It’s about time.

Sen. Clinton’s Washington press office issued a release stating that the Senator would join John Edwards and make her campaign carbon neutral. “In order to address the climate crisis, we all must act - and that includes our campaign.” The press release says the campaign plans to purchase carbon offsets as well as “take a series of conservation measures.” These measures include “buying 100% recycled paper products; recycling paper, glass, cans and cardboard; installing motion-controlled lights to reduce energy when offices are not in use; and locating its headquarters next to a subway station to encourage staff to use public transportation.” Hmm…I’m not sure the Clinton campaign will get very far using subway stations in Iowa, NH, South Carolina, and Nevada. A FOTPC sent me an email with his comments about Clinton’s plans for “conservation measures”:

So, she’s going to spend a tiny fraction of her campaign war chest on offsets, which is fine for what it is. But use recycled paper? Recycle cardboard, bottles, and cans? That’s worthy of a press release? Isn’t that something most reasonable people do reflexively by now? How about doing something that actually demonstrates that you are willing to walk the walk, like drive to your Granite State campaign events in a hybrid (for an obvious, off-the-top-of-my-head example)?

T from “The Caucus” explains that with Earth Day and the recent IPCC report “the campaigns and activists clearly have global warming on the brain”–as they should, with or without earth day. Nonetheless, in light of this annual tribute to our planet, maybe this year Granite Staters will go beyond than the traditional park clean-ups. As NH gets bombarded with candidate visits this weekend, citizens should ask them if they’re willing to “step up to the plate.”

Also, another FOTPC had the chance to see Obama at the UNH biodiesel fueling center this morning. He was dissappointed. He had to wait over an hour for Obama to show up (this seems to be a common theme), the Senator only took three questions from the crowd, and he avoided getting into details using the excuse that in due time he will have lots of specifics (another common theme). “I have a plan and someday I’ll let you know about it.”