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

Politicians are often criticized for “flip-flopping” on issues, (take John Kerry for instance).   But sometimes changing positions–or more appropriately in this case, finally acknowleding an overwhelming scientific consensus–on an issue is a good thing.  While it’s due past, I was still rather surprised when I read this article in today’s Washington Post.  Yesterday, potential presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich, and past presidential runner-up, John Kerry, had a “friendly exchange” on Capitol Hill debating climate change in the U.S.  They disagreed on the way the U.S. should tackle climate change–Gingrich favors “tax incentives to reduce carbon dioxide” while Kerry favors “a government “cap and trade” program.”  What they didn’t debate, drum roll, was the science.  Gingrich who in 2005 was quoted saying “there’s no evidence to support global warming–none.  It’s essentially cultural anthropology” began yesterday’s exchange conceding ”that global warming is real, that humans have contributed to it and that ‘we should address it very actively.’” 

Gingrich isn’t the only unlikely person speaking out about global warming.  This morning ConocoPhillips joined the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, becoming the first major U.S. oil company to take the step.  The partnership is an alliance of big businesses and environmental groups working together to push President Bush to put a mandatory national cap on greenhouse gas emissions. As recently as January, Jim Mulva, chairman and chief executive of ConocoPhillips, said there were other ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions “(rather) than have mandates saying specifically, ‘you have to do it this way and that.’”  Now, having joined the partnership he believes a “mandatory national framework” is our best bet. 

He may have pushed the Live Earth climate concert from Capitol Hill to the Garden State claiming “there has never been a partisan political event at the Capitol, and this is a partisan political event,” but with Gingrich and ConocoPhillips suddenly waking up, maybe Sen. James Inhofe will eventually join them in the real world.

“You’ve got to wonder what the cavemen said in the ooga booga days during the ice age when ice started to melt. I wonder if they said back then, ‘This global warming is terrible‘ ” –Barnstead resident quoted in the Concord Monitor

That’s one we haven’t heard yet!  If only we could find a caveman to answer our questions about climate change…maybe Geico has ideas about how we can get in touch with one.

Back to the present day, Bill Richardson was in Iowa this weekend on his first visit since announcing his official candidacy.  In an interview with the Associated Press he said “I believe the first four states, with Iowa and New Hampshire being the top ones, will determine who the President is.  I always felt that way.”  Richardson also told Iowans at a breakfast in Des Moines that he plans to “convince the voters I’m the best candidate.  It’s called grassroots campaigning.  You know, debates, issues and discussions.”

Is it hubris, or is it just good planning?  Last week Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama promised to accept a fund-raising truce if each wins his party’s nomination.  The pact would limit campaign spending to $85 million putting both candidates on equal ground.  (Read the entire article from the New York Times here.)

Speaking of McCain, word is out that he will make his first appearance in the Granite State since a visit last year.  McCain is expected to be at the Exeter Town Hall on March 17th.  Maybe he got some campaign advice from Richardson: “grassroots campaigning…debates, issues and discussions.”

Yesterday a scientific panel at the request of the United Nations met to talk about “drastic reductions in fossil-fuel emissions around the world.”  The panel presented a 166-page report based on research by 18 scientists in 11 countries.  The report warns of significant warming that will contribute to ”a turbulent century of rising seas, spreading drought and disease, weather extremes and damage to farming, forests, fisheries, and other economic areas.”  The report states that if nothing is done, global temperatures could rise by 11 degrees by 2100.  Based on these current findings the panel provided the United Nations with recommendations on how to combat these threats:  discourage new building on land less than one meter above sea level, reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly, immediately ban the construction of coal-fired power plants unless they use a carbon capturing system, and triple or quadruple worldwide spending in efforts to fight global warming.  Basically, it’s time to get serious.  (Read the entire story from the New York Times here.)

This piece by Bill McKibben, “Warning on Warming,” helps explain why this new report might seem so drastic.  McKibben, a long-time climate change activist, outlines the history of warnings that have come consistently  from the scientific community, and have consistently been ignored.  He warns (again) “climate change is a problem with a very high “procrastination penalty”: a penalty that just grows and grows with each passing year of inaction…The [most recent] IPCC assessment offers a modest account of just how far out of whack it is—and just how hard we’re going to have to work to have even a chance at limiting the damage.”  McKibben is organizing the nation-wide movement Step It Up on April 14th to help draw attention to the issue.

Yesterday Sen. Hillary Clinton revealed her plan for a “Strategic Energy Fund” that would “jumpstart research and investment in clean energy technologies to promote job growth, energy independence, and a cleaner environment.”  Read the press release on Sen. Clinton’s plan here.

We’re on a two-month record breaking streak.  This article from the Associated Press writes “it may be cold comfort during a frigid February, but last month was by far the hottest January ever”–and that’s supposed to make us feel good?  According to the US National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C., January’s record, last set in 2002, was broken this year by .81 degrees, which is  a lot considering most records are typically only broken by hundredths of a degree.  While this was an overall worldwide warming, it was mostly the northern latitudes that influenced such a significant rise in temperature.  In fact, Siberia was on average 9 degrees warmer than usual while Canada was about 5 degrees above the average.  Overall the US was “about normal,” although we all know a 70 degree January day is far from typical in New England.

Despite these warming trends and recent studies like the IPCC report, Sen. James Inhofe, longtime global warming skeptic, is still speaking out against what he considers to be a global “hoax.”  And he’s found himself an ally.  Recently Inhofe has praised and congratulated Czech President Vaclav Klaus for speaking out against global warming: “President Klaus is to be commended for his courage in speaking not only the truth about the science behind global warming fears, but the reality of the politicization of the UN.”  Now that’s a powerful duo you don’t want to mess with.  (Read the entire story here.)

Sen. Chris Dodd was in NH yesterday, making it his second trip since he announced his candidacy for president.  “New Hampshire will give me a chance, I’ll be back here soon and often,” he said.  Dodd made a stop at the Portsmouth based Redhook Brewery where he listed his priorities, one of which was “energy and the environment.”  Great, let’s see a plan.  (Read the story from the Portsmouth Herald here.)