Tag Archives: Global warming

Union of Concerned Scientists

Clean Air Under Attack ,
The Chamber of Commerce and other groups who oppose climate action are mounting a massive attack on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) efforts to protect our health and the environment from the impacts of global warming.
Right now, we’re pumping too much carbon into the atmosphere and it’s having a dangerous effect on our climate. To help protect us, the EPA recently released draft standards that, for the first time ever, will limit carbon pollution from new power plants. Yesterday, UCS supporters heard directly from senior White House and EPA officials about how these standards are a critical first step towards reducing the effects of global warming and protecting public health.
Unfortunately the Chamber of Commerce recently released a press statement vowing to do whatever it takes to overturn the EPA’s standard.
The chamber’s attacks are bogus.

We need these standards to start to address the threat of climate change—and the EPA is not only helping to address that threat, it is also meeting the mandate it was given by the Supreme Court five years ago to reduce carbon emissions found to be dangerous to the public health and welfare.
But that’s not stopping foes like the chamber. It’s critical that informed citizens like you speak up to protect these standards. You already submitted a public comment in support of the EPA’s carbon pollution standard, but now it’s time to take the next step. Tell the Chamber of Commerce to stop their attacks.
The opposition hasn’t quit and we can’t either.

Take Action Today!
Sincerely,

Chrissy Elles Outreach Associate UCS Climate and Energy Program

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20 ways. 20 days. 20% less carbon.

05/01/2012 Nativegrl77

You can still get cooler and smarter—20 ways, 20 days, 20% less carbon

(and get your FREE sticker!)

Don’t you want to be the coolest and smartest of all your friends? Our first 20 days are almost up! What are you waiting for? Join the first round of our 20/20/20 challenge—20 ways to get cooler and smarter, and in just 20 days you’ll be on the path to 20 percent fewer carbon emissions.
Thousands of people have already committed to reducing their global warming-causing carbon emissions by making changes to their diets, their commutes, and their lightbulbs—and that adds up to a serious positive impact for the planet.
Even if you already live a cooler smarter lifestyle than most Americans, you still have the power to make important changes—I know I did. Since I am lucky enough to live in a city with great public transportation and don’t use a car most days, I looked to my home for ways to save energy. I was able to reduce my carbon emissions 20 percent by updating my furnace (which quickly paid for itself), insulating the walls, installing a programmable thermostat, and making other small adjustments around the house.
Choose which carbon-saving tips best fit your life by taking the 20/20/20 challenge today. Then imagine if 20 of your friends do it… or 20,000… or 200 million… we’re talking serious impact!
Join the 20/20/20 challenge and get tips on how best to fight global warming in your life (plus a FREE sticker – while they last).
One person can have an impact—and we’ve got the science to prove it. After two years of research and analysis, our scientists have discovered the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions. And we’ve made it easy for you to get on the path to 20 percent less carbon in 20 days.
Check out our infographic to see 20 percent less carbon by the numbers, and take the 20/20/20 challenge to do your part to save the planet.
Thanks for being so cool and smart!
Sincerely,

Suzanne Shaw Co-author of Cooler Smarter: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Living

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Union of Concerned Scientists: the Environment

04/24/2012 Nativegrl77

Choose the one that best describes how you spend your free time:
Working in my garden and tending to my lawn.

Lying on a beach or teeing it up on the golf course.

Playing in the snow or reading a book by the fireplace.

Playing video games or watching the latest blockbuster.

Enjoying a book on my e-reader.
Answer just a few questions like this and you’ll be on your way to getting cooler and smarter about carbon.
We’re calling it 20/20/20: Choose from 20 ways to make planet-friendly changes in your home, on the go, and with what you eat and buy, and in 20 days, you’ll be on the path to 20 percent less carbon. It’s like your own personalized carbon Couch-to-5k. And just like the Couch-to-5K challenge can help people trim pounds, the 20/20/20 challenge can help you trim carbon. And there’s plenty of carbon to lose—our day-to-day activities are pumping too much carbon into the air and it’s having a dangerous effect on our climate.
Odds are you’re already pretty cool and smart when it comes to your everyday energy decisions. But even the most carbon-conscious consumers can find easy ways to help save the planet—and save a little dough while you’re at it.
Find out how you can do your part by taking our 20/20/20 challenge and get a FREE sticker.

We’ve done the homework for you. For two years, our team of scientists did research and crunched numbers to come up with the most effective ways for people like you and me to combat global warming every day—and they even help identify what things we shouldn’t worry about. The answers may surprise you.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Learn whether your choice in light bulbs or your driving habits make a bigger difference. Just a few easy changes add up fast—and if 20 of your friends do it… or 20,000… or 200 million…then we’re talking serious impact.
You’ve only got your carbon to lose. Thanks for being so cool and smart!
Sincerely,

Suzanne Shaw Co-author of Cooler Smarter: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Living
P.S. Check out our infographic to see how your everyday changes scale up to big-time impact.

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EPA takes critical first step to tackle global warming … Union of Concerned Scientists

04/03/2012 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

EPA Takes Critical First Step to Tackle Global Warming

Big news! On March 27 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released draft standards that will limit carbon pollution under the Clean Air Act. Carbon pollution from power plants contributes to global warming, endangering our health, our environment, and drastically altering our climate. By placing the first ever nationwide limits on carbon pollution from new power plants, these historic standards are a critical step to reducing the effects of global warming and protecting public health.

WWW.UCSUSA.ORG

Unfortunately, these standards are already under attack. Several members of Congress have introduced legislation that would block or delay these historic standards, and the Obama administration is facing intense pressure from dirty energy companies, who are spreading false claims about their impact on our economy. It is clear that these dirty energy companies care more about protecting their bottom line than protecting our health and environment from the effects of global warming.

To ensure that the EPA finalizes strong standards this year, we need to generate a record-setting number of supportive comments to the EPA and show support at in-person public hearings around the country.

We have a team of UCS Climate Ambassadors—scientists, economists, health professionals, and concerned citizens like you—who have volunteered to attend the EPA’s public hearings to represent you and the tens of thousands of Americans who care about reducing carbon emissions. They will hand deliver your comments to EPA officials and personally testify at EPA hearings on the importance of limiting carbon pollution from new power plants.

Tell the EPA that you support its efforts to make power plants take responsibility for their contribution to global warming by reducing carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act.

Submit Your Comment Today! WWW.UCSUSA.ORG

Sincerely,

Chrissy Elles
Outreach Associate
UCS Climate and Energy Program

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Flood Congress with Support for Climate Action … Union of Concerned Scientists

03/16/2012 Nativegrl77

Flood Congress with Support for Climate Action

http://action.ucsusa.org << Take Action

Global warming emissions present a danger to public health—from worsening ozone pollution to hotter, longer heat waves and other types of extreme weather. For instance, heavy rain and floods are likely to get worse in a warming world, leaving us more and more vulnerable to health risks such as drowning and exposure to contaminated water.

Floods are one of deadliest and most expensive natural disasters in the United States. The average annual U.S. flood losses in the past 10 years were more than $10.2 billion. More than half of all waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States occur in the aftermath of heavy rain, and floodwaters may contain more than 100 types of disease causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

In order to protect our health from these effects of climate change, we must reduce global warming emissions now.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is on the verge of releasing draft standards that will limit global warming emissions from power plants under the Clean Air Act. Unfortunately, dirty energy companies and their allies in Congress are trying to block the EPA from moving forward with these historic standards.

Tell your members of Congress to protect our health from the effects of climate change and oppose any legislation that would block or delay the EPA’s ability to reduce global warming emissions under the Clean Air Act.

Take Action Today!

Sincerely,

Chrissy Elles
Outreach Associate
UCS Climate & Energy Program