If you do not believe in Global warming yet I am amazed. The Sunday Seattle Times ran an article last week entitled, "The truth about global warming." Basically it was a run down of all the scientific evidence supporting the existence of global warming. It is here, we can not blame any one specific incident on it (not even Katrina), but yes it is here and it is coming on stronger and quicker than previously predicted. But really you do not have to read that article. If you really want to know if something's true, check out the business section. They always tell it straight in the business section.
Last Monday, the business news on global warning made the front page of the New York Times. As polar ice turns to water, dreams of treasure abound. The article high-lights the bright side of global warming: Entrepreneurs around the world are positioning themselves to make a buck. A man from Denver purchased an entire port on the shores of Hudson Bay. Currently it is blocked by ice for most of the year, but he anticipates that someday in the near future, it will be a $100 million dollar a year shipping port. The fabled Northwest Passage comes to life thanks to global warming. Never mind that entire island cultures are sinking into the sea, the US, Russia, Denmark and Norway are all trying to figure out how to divvy up the melting polar ocean, along with all of it's potential goodies, shipping routes, fisheries, oil, and natural gas. But I have to stop here and wonder, what will we be shipping through our precious northern short cut, once global warming has made the polar ice cap a seasonal wonder? What will the rest of the feverish planet have to offer?? The New York Times article mentions the potential for new cruise ship destinations. Will we really have the stomach for a disneyfied vacation through a planetary natural disaster?? I just have to quote the Cree Proverb (you see a lot of out-doorsy types sporting this one on their t-shirts . . .. its a good one). "Only when the last tree has died, and the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can not eat money."
You can find the Seattle Times article at: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002549346_globewarm11.html And the New York Times article at: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1010-07.htm The New Yorker recently ran a series of articles by Elizabeth Colbert on the science as well as the human implications of global warming. The third and final article of the series can be found on line at: http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/050509fa_fact3
If you want to do something important close to home, make sure to take some time to speak up at the Governor's Final Forum Hearing for the Clean Cars Program this next Monday, October 24.
Enjoy this week's dirt.
Cheyenne and the rest of us,
Spreading Roots, Spring Forth
Governor Kulongoski has called for Oregon to adopt the Clean Cars program before the end of the year. The program fights global warming by requiring automakers to use existing technology to reduce emissions from new cars and light trucks.
By adopting the Clean Cars program, Oregon will continue its tradition of environmental leadership. Because Washington's adoption of the Clean Car program is contingent upon Oregon enacting Clean Cars, Oregon has the opportunity to lead the entire west coast to cleaner cars.
Limiting global warming pollution from cars is critically important. There is now scientific consensus that global warming is affecting Oregon. Sea levels on parts of the central and northern Oregon Sea levels are rising and snow-pack in the Cascades is shrinking, leading to reduced river flows and less water available for irrigation, hydropower, and salmon migration. The Clean Cars program will require new cars and light trucks to emit 30% less global warming pollution starting in 2009.
The good news is that cleaner cars are one of many ways we can reduce our global warming emissions while helping the local economy. Oregon should make sure to adopt the full program, including the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) requirements, which require the sale of more advanced technology cars, like hybrids, which will cut global warming pollution and spur the innovation of even cleaner vehicles.
Governor Kulongoski established the "Vehicle Emissions Workgroup" to develop recommendations for the implementation of the Clean Cars program. The workgroup is taking comments from the public, which means that you can make sure that the workgroup, which will be making recommendations to Gov. Kulongoski on the program, hears that Oregonians want the entire Clean Cars program this year.
What: Public hearing section of the final meeting of the Governor's "Vehicle Emissions Workgroup" which will make recommendations to the Governor on how to implement the Clean Cars program in Oregon.
When: Monday, October 24th, from 9:00-9:30am or 1:00-1:30pm
Where: Metro Building, 600 NE Grand Ave, Portland, in the Council Chambers Room
Come at either time with your family and friends and tell the workgroup that you support bringing the full Clean Cars Program to Oregon this year don't need to be an expert to come; I've included sample talking points below to give you ideas for points to make. To sign up to attend at either time, please click on this link or paste it into
your web browser: http://ospirg.org/OR.asp?id=1107&id4=ES
Maureen Kirk
OSPIRG Executive Director
Suggested Talking Points:
1. Oregon should adopt the program this year so that it will be in effect for model year 2009 cars and trucks. By adopting the clean cars program, Oregon is taking an important step to addressing global warming, an issue that Oregonians are concerned about and that is already affecting our state.
2. Oregon should make sure to adopt the full clean cars program, including the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) requirements. These requirements boost the sale of more advanced technology cars, like hybrids. This will cut global warming pollution and spur the innovation of even cleaner vehicles.
3. The costs of the program will be more than outweighed by the economic benefits. The technologies that reduce global warming pollution also allow cars to go farther on a gallon of gas. Buyers of new cars are expected to save an average of $23 per month in gas, and only spend an average of $20 per month more in new car payments. When the program is fully implemented, this should result in a net savings of more than $8 million each year in Oregon. This program will put more money in consumer's pockets and Oregon's economy.