Rallying for the Climate Security Act

Boxer and friends rally in park for climate bill

Posted by Kate Sheppard at 9:18 PM on 02 Jun 2008

Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) hosted a press conference in a park outside the Capitol this afternoon to rally support for the Climate Security Act. Standing on a podium alongside other senators as well as reps from several green groups, religious organizations, labor unions, and businesses, Boxer called the bill "long overdue."

Lieberman noted that climate change is "another one of those challenges where the people are way ahead of the politicians." He continued, "This is the energy-security and energy-independence bill that everybody has been asking us to pass."

They were joined by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Olymbia Snowe (R-Maine), plus folks from the Natural Resources Defense Council, National Wildlife Federation, and League of Conservation Voters. There were also representatives from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, and some of the labor unions that have come out in support of the bill. Many in the crowd wore shirts demanding "Climate Action NOW!" Others held signs reading "Yes to Green Jobs" and "Do it 4 the Musk Ox!"

The event was intended to showcase the variety of supporters the bill has attracted, including religious leaders and anglers and hunters -- groups not traditionally associated with political action on environmental concerns.

Klobuchar said that during a trip back to Minnesota last week, she attended a forum on climate where concerned citizens included snowmobilers and hunters. "The people are seeing this first, and Washington has to listen," she said.

Snowe noted that she first voted in favor of legislation on climate change in 1988 -- that's 20 years ago, for those counting. "We can't afford to wait any longer," she said. "We have the momentum."

For story: Rallying for the Climate Security Act
6 Comments | Post a Comment

Momentum

It would be good if the momentum continues, but in a much more positive direction than the "Climate Security Act" would take us.

Many of the usual suspects (Lieberman, NRDC)in attendance at this event, have well known problems when it comes to real energy policy reform. They know who they are.

Oil warriors, clean coalers, and nuclear power lobbyists. I guess it's the best we can expect given the culture of lies in DC.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin

by amazingdrx at 4:15 AM on 03 Jun 2008

Cue the "Real Men of Genius" theme music

Clearly the people who've dedicated their lives to protecting the environment are total sellouts. And you, random anonymous blogger who won't even put your name to your work, have the moral high ground.

With friends like these ...

http://www.nwf.org

by Miles Grant at 5:22 AM on 03 Jun 2008

Anonymity

Obviously does not protect from vicious personal attacks, hehey.

I tried to get your site to work so I could find out exactly where your group stands on the more problematic parts of this bill. Support for nuclear power, fuel farmed ethanol and biodiesel, and "clean" coal CCS technology.

The site froze up. I did not mean to impune everyone who supported this badly flawed legislation. Perhaps your positions are more favorable to a cure for climate disaster and perpetual oil war.

This CSA has big problems which we have enumerated and discussed here at great length. This critique is not coming right out of the blue (green? hehey, that's a whole other story).

If I offended the hardworking organized lobbying green orgs in anyway maybe that's their problem. For that I am indeed sorry. Forgive me.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin

by amazingdrx at 6:28 AM on 03 Jun 2008

New page

The National Wildlife Federation launched a re-designed front page this week in conjunction with the Climate Security Act hitting the Senate floor. You probably caught them while they were tweaking bugs.

http://www.nwf.org

by Miles Grant at 7:37 AM on 03 Jun 2008

Who You Really Are

People in the National Rifle Association, er, I mean the National Wildlife Federation have "dedicated their lives to protecting the environment"? I don't think so!

The NWF is primarily a pro-hunting group, which perfectly explains its very conservative environmental stances. The NWF is ususally on the right side on environmental issues, but it has been on the wrong side too, which is inexcusable for a supposed environmental group.

by Wolverine at 2:33 PM on 03 Jun 2008

Who We Really Are

The National Wildlife Federation is just that: a federation. A collection of various groups that share common interests but don't let individual prejudices get in the way of their goals for protecting wildlife and our environment. Nevermind that hunters and anglers spend more time outside engaged with nature than the average "environmentalist" who learns about disappearing salmon and invasive species expansion from the internet or their newspaper instead of living it first hand. Nevermind that sportsmen's groups have a lot of sway with the government and are actually lobbying to save our environment from mining, drilling, pollution, etc. Black and white views will only get you on one side of the issue, and whether that side is right or wrong is a matter of your opinion.

http://www.sportsmen4responsibleenergy.org
http://www.targetglobalwarming.org

by Rachel Faulkner at 8:10 AM on 04 Jun 2008
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