Environmental Concerns

[Jessamyn]

Hey Guys, this is something that I have been wondering, and I trust that one of you would have some insight. As a nature loving jam band enthusiast, one of my true concerns is global warming/environmental degradation and I am worried that the politicians put this issue on the back burner (I understand why, I just don't think it's okay). So, which politicians do you see as the best supporters of this cause?

On a side note, I think it would be cool to start a group on here about environmentally friendly issues. I guess I should start it, but I don't know how, and I trust that someone (Robin?!?) will.

Hope someone knows more about this issue than I do! Let's hear it

[robin lee]

we could pick up leftoverbags.....

yeah.....pick em up.....

i'm gonna call Barack and tell him to get on these bags.....

p.s. jessie do you have a "create a group" button? Does anyone? hmm, i've never thought of that....yeah, matt kropp started a group! yeah i think if you click "goups" and then "create a group you can do it" good luck.....

more snow is on the way....up to our thighs...

[Jake]

Jessie --

There are many politicians who are extraordinarily supportive of environmental causes. Wisconsin has Russ Feingold -- a real environmental go-getter. Perhaps the best of the rest are California Senators and Representatives -- including the Speaker-of-the-house, Nancy Pelosi. As of late, California has made exceptional progress environmentally -- especially in regards to global warming. They have recently taken on both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and the auto industry and are upset that end-of-tailpipe emissions are not regulated under the Clean Air Act ("CAA"). As many know, these automobile generated emissions are a HUGE factor in rising global temperatures.

As for setting up a group -- I think it would be a great idea, and, if I can have some time, I'm pretty certain I can pull together some good, informative resources.

One more thing -- I truly feel that in the coming months Environmental issues will be at the forefront of politics -- in the 2008 election and beyond. Society has started to take note of significant environmental issues, and will only do so more often in the future. To prove my point, over the next few months pick up a newspaper or turn on CNN and watch for the following "controversial" issues -- tailpipe emissions and the CAA in California; protection of the Polar Bear under the Endangered Species Act ("ESA"), "delisting" of the Grizzly Bear under the Endangered Species Act, Carbon Sequestration and Clean Coal Technology, and water quantity issues (often fueled by overpopulation and drought) in the American West, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

[robin lee]

here's ar eally bad environmental concern....

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/world/14cloud.html?_r=2&partn...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/world/14cloud.html?_r=2&partn...">

[Heather]

If you want to get your representatives to listen up about Global Warming, you should check out Conservation Lobby Day which is coming up on February 25th. Every two years the conservation community decides on four Priority Issues to tackle during the Legislative session and then on Lobby Day citizens from all over the state come to the Capitol to lobby their legislators face-to-face about these issues AND one of the issues this year is Stopping Global Warming in Wisconsin (the others involve the DNR Secretary, water quality and water quantity).

Basically the people have spoken and said that these are the main concerns at the moment and as far as global warming, people are sick of waiting for the federal government to do anything so we're asking for immediate solutions at the state level.

So anyone who is concerned with these issues I highly recommend checking out Lobby Day. You can RSVP on-line at www.conservationvoters.org Wow, now this really just seems like a shameless plug for WLCV, but seriously I wouldn't be wasting your time if I didn't think it was a great way to get involved and get politicians listening. It's hard for them to ignore you when you're sitting in the same room telling them what you want. And there's a pro-conservation majority in both houses right now, so it's a great time to get some things done.

So there's my two-cents...(and maybe a few quarters too)

[robin lee]

how about leftoverbags? could i lobby leftoverbags....whats the best way to do so?

[Jake]

While I think tackling Global Warming at any level is extraordinarily important, the solutions proposed at the state level, if feasible at all, lack the force needed to actually solve the problem. Ultimately, until Global Warming is tackled at a national, even global, level, it will continue to be a significant issue. Unfortunately, one of the national forums for potential regulation of greenhouse gases (which cause global warming -- duh), the Endangered Species Act, is currently undergoing rulemaking to gut many provisions that currently could help curve greenhouse gas emissions and thus, hopefully, help fight Global Warming. Unfortunately, while tomorrow will bring a new president and hopefully a new era in Global Warming education and prevention, the current stance sees many laws that could be used to combat warm globe disease being weakened.

While orgs like WCLV are great for education, at the state level, I just can't see it being effective beyond that.

[Heather]

I totally understand and while we need bigger and better solutions, we think that Wisconsin should be a trailblazer on this issue. The more states that make independent strides to tackle global warming, the more pressure that's put on the national government to act. This also gives WI a chance to get a corner on the renewable energy market and if we can get a jump start on working on the problem we will gain numerous benefits in the long run.

I'm all for taking this above and beyond but I want to do all I can here and now. A lot of people use Lobby Day as a jumping point for meeting interested people in their area to work on the issues they care most about.

Dear Robin,
As far as leftoverbags(.com), while it's not one of our priorities this year, I'll do my darndest next time around. And you could always use Lobby Day to meet some people and hand out info on the sly (not that I suggested that...)
-H

[robin lee]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111109436

poor musk ox

[Kelly]

I don't know the answer to that...but I do know that politicians are fucking up by emphasizing "global warming" as the problem. The real problem is that we are completely ravaging our Home. Because global warming happens to occur naturally, people lose sight of what the real issue is which is the rapid devastation of our whole organism the Earth.

Silly, tragic humans...

[robin lee]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/science/earth/11passage.html?_r=1&hp