Posted by Frances Beinecke in Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming
Just as support for clean energy and climate solutions is growing among Americans from all walks of life--from Fortune 500 executives to Iraqi war veterans to union members--we learn new secrets about the old forces eager to keep us hooked...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming
I have read plenty of briefings about the national security risks posed by climate change, but it is far more powerful to hear about them from people who have seen the grave consequences of our oil dependence first hand: veterans...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming
This Wednesday, President Obama will meet with Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the White House to talk about climate change and energy issues. The word "expansion" may not appear on the official, diplomatic schedule, but I am certain it...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Moving Beyond Oil , Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
Having recently returned from the extensive tar sands oil fields of Alberta, I was alarmed to learn that our State Department just approved a new pipeline for funneling tar sands fuel straight into the U.S. Midwest. This decision locks us...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Green Enterprise , Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming
Last week the New York Times ran a story in which the headline said it all: "New Energy Injects Hope in a Colorado Steel Town." It described how, in a time of record unemployment, steelworkers in Pueblo are finding new...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming
After I toured some of Alberta's tar sands oil operations last week, I traveled north to Fort Chipewyan, a small village in the Athabasca River Delta. The community is only 60 miles from tar sands central in Fort McMurray, but...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Moving Beyond Oil , Saving Wildlife and Wild Places , Solving Global Warming
Most Americans recognize that our love affair with the automobile--and the oil addiction that comes with it--has implications for our foreign policy and military commitments in the Middle East. What is less well understood are the environmental and human consequences...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming , U.S. Law and Policy
I welcomed the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act last month. It is a good bill that gets us going down the road toward clean energy and climate solutions. But passing the bill in the House required...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Green Enterprise , Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming , U.S. Law and Policy
I felt like celebrating last night. After more than 10 years working to stop climate change, I welcomed this historic development: the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a bill that will make...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming
Tuesday I went to the White House to hear President Obama announce his plan to issue new greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. This plan, based on California's groundbreaking emissions law, makes everybody a winner. Drivers...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming , U.S. Law and Policy
On Wednesday, before President Obama answered reporters' questions about his new health care plans, he took a moment to praise House Democrats "who've made such extraordinary progress in reaching a deal on comprehensive energy reform and climate legislation." I echo...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Curbing Pollution , Health and the Environment , Living Sustainably , Moving Beyond Oil
Tomorrow night NRDC will do something it has never done before: give out the inaugural Growing Green Awards to leaders in the sustainable food movement. Selected by a panel chaired by Michael Pollan, the best-selling author of the Omnivore's Dilemma,...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming
It probably won't surprise you to know I drive a Prius. I bought it because when I drive it--I only put about 8,000 miles on it a year since I live in New York City where public transit is readily...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming , U.S. Law and Policy
I have traveled to Washington many times since President Obama took office 100 days ago, and each time I go, I am struck by the action-oriented and economics-driven tone he has set for clean energy and global warming policy. I...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Green Enterprise , Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming
Today Congressmen Henry Waxman and Ed Markey released draft legislative language that could propel America into a clean energy future, cut global warming pollution, and create millions of jobs in the process. This is a welcome development, because even though President Obama has...
