President Obama’s chief environmental advisor Nancy Sutley didn’t mince words when she promised that the President would stake his political future to rally Congress behind a sweeping climate change bill. The time for the President to start throwing around his weight may have become, as the Senate took up a carbon cap-and-trade bill that promises to be both revolutionary and controversial. Can the President, and his adviser Ms. Sutley, thrust the U.S. back into a global leadership role on reversing climate change?
The glorious state of Oregon has long been a pioneer for environmental stewardship. And the steward, Governor Ted Kulongiski has been at that helm, harnessing his state’s natural resources for sustainable energy and creating and training workers for green jobs. What’s his secret and how can he help set other governors on his path?
The United Nations has tried its best to be a motivating point for global action against climate change, but so far it has failed miserably to entice its most influential members into global climate deals. With the latest international climate talks starting in two months in Copenhagen the UN will try, once again, to shove its biggest member countries (namely China and the U.S.) into agreeing to dramatic cuts to greenhouse gas emissions. Is it possible for the UN to be anything other than a spectator?
For the last 50 years Jane Goodall has arguably done more for the animal kingdom than anyone else. She is an advocate for animal rights, author of bestselling books, including her new release “Hope for Animals and Their World: How Endangered Species Are Being Rescued from the Brink”, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 and the UN Messenger of Peace. Patt talks to Goodall about her inspiring new discoveries, and what’s in store for the future of the animal kingdom.
Optimistically-minded scientists and political leaders still believe there’s a chance to stop and even reverse the effects of climate change; but the more pragmatic leaders are preparing for a drastically hotter and more volatile world within the next 100 years. The impacts of climate change will be felt most destructively on the most impoverished areas of the world, which raises a philosophical question: since developed countries are overwhelmingly to blame for polluting the Earth, are they most responsible for helping the planet adapt? Patt asks that question and more to a panel of experts planning for the worst.
As businesses wise up to the coming mandates for energy conservation and the need to control carbon emissions, environmental groups have also grown to be more flexible in their approach. The Sierra Club, in particular, has begun to consider natural gas and nuclear power as bridge energy sources before a purely green, renewable energy economy is realistic. Are these kinds of compromises possible, on the part of big industry and environmentalists, and when will that green economy become a reality?
It is easily one of the front lines of the environmental battles, a place where the beauty of nature intersects with the commercial possibilities of endless natural resources. The Amazon river and rainforest system in Brazil has absorbed plenty of blows from mankind over the centuries, but it still remains the world’s lungs and a home to incredible bio-diversity. How will Brazil protect the remaining Amazonian wilderness while still ensuring economic growth for its citizens?
Patt Morrison is known for its innovative discussions of local politics and culture, as well as its presentation of the effects of national and world news on Southern California.
