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

The word of the day: accountability.  A New York Times article highlighted a “Climate-Change Scorecard” to be released today scoring a variety of companies on their climate friendly (and not so friendly) practices.  The scorecard is intended to educate consumers about their favorite companies and influence where they choose to go for their next shopping trip.  Members of the Climate Counts project hope to help consumers make more informed decisions.  Adam Markham, executive director of Clean Air-Cool Planet and member of the Climate Counts group, noted that “It is time for consumers to look at broad-based strategies on climate change, rather than just the environmental impacts of specific products.”

Holding our local businesses and corporations accountable for their greenhouse gas emissions is a necessary step in combating global warming and TPC commends those companies who scored well.  The Washington Post stated today that Google plans on being carbon-neutral by 2008.  The leading internet corporation is also working with Pacific Gas & Electric to produce a number of hybrid cars for company use.  Having scored a 17 with Climate Counts, it seems they might have a lot of work to do. For the full article, click here.

NH voters are also insistent on holding their political leaders accountable for addressing the issue of global warming.  An editorial in the Concord Monitor emphasizes that Congress should be firm in pursuing fuel efficient car legislation noting that fuel economy standards haven’t changed since 1975. 

Of course, our favorite people to hold accountable in NH these days are the presidential candidates coming in and out of the state.  You can check out an update on the candidates’ positions on global warming here.  In the meantime, enjoy listening to Sen. Clinton’s new theme song “You and I” by Celine Dion.

Opening the editorial page of the Portsmouth Press Herald last Friday, we were excited to find an editorial urging all presidential candidates to ‘heed’ the Carbon Coalition.  The accomplishments of the Carbon Coalition and the issue of global climate change are increasingly penetrating both the mainstream media and the candidate discourse.  This spring 164 towns (along with nine New Hampshire newspaper endorsements) passed a climate change resolution.  We are grateful to the editors of the Herald for writing this piece and especially for including our challenge to all the candidates: implement and launch a comprehensive emissions-reduction policy that addresses climate change within 150 days of the election.

Below are the seven benchmarks that the Carbon Coalition feels must be addressed in order to produce a comprehensive climate action plan:

1) Legislation for economy-wide emissions reductions

2) Aggressive R&D for low-carbon energy technology

3) Federal planning for climate change impacts and response

4) Picking the right team to carry the initiative

5) Cooperation with international partners

6) Reallocation of budget priorities

7) Enable/encourage citizens to take efficiency and conservation in their own hands.

We look forward to hearing the candidates’ specific climate plans to meet our benchmarks.  We hope that they ‘heed’ the advice of the Herald and recognize the importance of global warming to the people of New Hampshire.

With high school graduations upon us, it’s not surprising that in New Hampshire commencement season combines with the spirit of the primary season. Yesterday, Senator Hillary Clinton was in the Granite State delivering the commencement address to Manchester Central High School’s class of 2007.  After overcoming her nerves about following past prestigious speakers such as comedian Adam Sandler, Clinton encouraged students to remember that “Global warming caused by pollution halfway around the world can affect our climate here at home.”  Global warming may seem like an atypical topic for a commencement address, but Clinton’s assertion seems appropriate for the youth of New Hampshire who will be most affected by climate change.  TPC commends Clinton on stressing the importance of global warming to our youth who, as Granite Staters, have the unique ability to discuss it with all of the candidates during the primary.

As Senator Clinton heads north today into the heart of the maple syrup country, perhaps she will notice some of these effects already taking place here at home in the Granite State.  Maine AP reported today that maple syrup production in NH is down 6% from last year along with record lows all over the New England region.  We can’t help but wonder if record temperatures and global warming has anything to do with these drastic changes.

 Far away from maple syrup country, Gov. Schwarzenegger continues to lead the charge against climate change.  Even after the recent steps made at the G8 Summit, this California governor says that “the federal government is asleep” in combating global warming.  He emphasized “We know we have global warming.  We know already we’re in danger … Let’s act now.”  To read more about Gov. Schwarzenegger’s comments, click here. 

Although summer hasn’t officially begun, flip-flop season is well underway and it appears Senator Obama has joined the club.  Typically flip-floppers are criticized for their inability to stay firm on an issue, but in Obama’s case, his flop has many environmentalists flipping back his way. 

On Tuesday Obama, whose support for coal-to-liquid has been widely criticized by environmentalists, sent out a press release clarifying his position on liquid coal:

Senator Obama supports research into all technologies to help solve our climate change and energy dependence problems, including shifting our energy use to renewable fuels and investing in technology that could make coal a clean-burning source of energy…However, unless and until this technology is perfected, Senator Obama will not support the development of any coal-to-liquid fuels unless they emit at least 20% less life-cycle carbon than conventional fuels.

This “clarification” is an important step for the Obama campaign in trying to gain support from environmental organizations and voters.  However, the LA Times notes that his position change on this issue is even more significant because it symbolizes “there’s a race to the top among the Democratic candidates for the strongest position on how to solve the climate crisis.”