League of Conservation Voters

House Chairman Suggests White House is Censoring Government Scientists

This week during hearings on global warming in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Harry Waxman (D-CA) had some strong words to say about the administration and their possible censoring of government climate scientists.

Mr. Waxman and Ranking Member Tom Davis (R-VA) have been requesting the administration 's documents on climate change, seeking answers to whether the administration has been censoring government scientists on global warming as claimed by NASA climate scientist James Hanson in yesterday's New York Times. The administration has refused to answer the question or release any documents.

Representative Waxman said, " We know that the White House possesses documents that contain evidence of an attempt by senior administration officials to mislead the public by injecting doubt into the science of global warming and minimize the potential danger."

The administration has been unwilling to take any steps towards implementing solutions to global warming. By withholding scientific information on global warming they are exascerbating their disservice to the public. Americans deserve an open and honest discussion on the serious problem of global warming and we need all the information in order to do that.

For more information, see the NY Times and CNN.

-Katie Rodriguez

Global Warming Skeptics Slam Weather Channel Climate Expert

Global warming skeptics are continuing to slam Dr. Heidi Cullen, the Weather Channel's climate expert and host of the weekly show The Climate Code for her blog post calling on local meteorologists to use sound science when talking about global warming.

"Meteorologists have a responsibility to truly educate themselves on the science of global warming. Meteorologists are among the few people trained in the sciences who are permitted regular access to our living rooms. And in that sense, they owe it to their audience to distinguish between solid, peer-reviewed science and junk political controversy,” said Dr. Cullen in her blog post about the meteorologists and global warming.

Despite the overwhelming consensus [by groups like NASA and  the American Association for Advancement of Science ] in the scientific community that global warming is occurring and should be addressed immediately, skeptics continue to attack Dr. Cullen and others.   

Skeptics are clearly out of the mainstream and are trying to squelch science.  There is a tidal wave of support to take action on global warming, including major corporations such as GE, evangelical churches and scientists who have joined forces to call on President Bush and Congress to take real action to address global warming.  Congressional Leaders from John McCain to Nancy Pelosi are talking about the importance of finding real solutions  to slow climate change.  Instead of slamming Dr. Cullen for daring to suggest that critics of global warming use real studies to back up their claims, it's time these critics join in a real, substantive dialogue on solutions to address global warming.   In the meantime, the rest of us should stand up in support of those like Dr. Heidi Cullen. Please share your support of Dr. Cullen on this blog and on the Weather Channel blog.

-Katie Rodriguez

Recently, a group of twenty-eight leading evangelical Christians teamed up with some of the world's top scientists in a powerful display of solidarity over an issue that affects us all: global warming. The coalition of evangelicals and scientists are urging the Bush Administration to take real action to combat climate change.   Reverend Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals had this to say on the new collaboration, "Evangelicals and scientists can put aside the debate over whether the earth was created or it evolved to say that we have a duty to care about the earth and to address issues like habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, species extinction..."

This unique union highlights the breadth of the ever-growing consensus that human beings are causing a global climate change that will have far-reaching consequences unless the world, including  our country, takes swift action.

To learn more, click on the video below.

-Bryan Buchanan

League of Conservation Voters Applauds House Bill That Invests in a Clean Energy Future

Here is Gene Karpinski's statement following the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passing H.R. 6, the “CLEAN Energy Act 2007”:      

“We congratulate the House of Representatives for helping to jump start a new energy economy that will combat global warming while creating good paying jobs. 

In the recent elections, the American people voted resoundingly for change -- including a new direction for our nation’s energy policy based not on the dirty energy policies of the past, but on clean energy solutions for our future.  Today, the House of Representatives demonstrated that it heard the American people loud and clear.   

This legislation eliminates $14 billion in giveaways to oil companies already making record profits and starts investing in clean renewable energy and energy efficiency.  The inclusion of the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 as part of the first 100 Hours agenda sends a clear signal that the new Congress  is serious about creating real changes in our nation’s energy policy. 

By saying no to Big Oil and yes to renewable energy, our country is taking a significant first step toward a clean energy future.”

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Environmental Community Lobbies in Support of House Clean Energy Bill

This morning the environmental community announced an all-out effort to pass H.R. 6, the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007.  After a press conference, environmental advocates fanned out across the Capitol in an attempt to speak with as many members of Congress as possible.  This legislation, part of the Democrats' new 100 hours plan, reduces subsidies for Big Oil and instead reinvests the money in clean renewable energy. 

In November, Americans clearly signaled a need to change the direction of our energy policy, away from polluting energy sources toward clean and innovative technologies that reduce global warming emissions and create jobs. In an era of limited resources, we should be focusing efforts on those technologies that both fight global warming and increase America's energy independence.   

Click here to read the press release.

Gene Karpinski on Living on Earth

League of Conservation Voters President Gene Karpinski was interviewed on this week's "Living on Earth" public radio show. In the interview, host Bruce Gellerman talks with Gene about environmental issues in the new Congress. Click below to listen to the interview