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Michael Oko, NRDC Alum, Washington D.C.

Michael Oko

Recent Posts

New Emails Reveal Respect for Science

Posted December 10, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming

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Even as Sarah Palin weighed-in on the email controversy yesterday in the Washington Post and via Facebook, NRDC’s Climate Center Director Dan Lashof reminded us that “facts are stubborn ." This morning, Alan Leshner, CEO of the American Association for the...continued

A Party for "Clean Energy Common Sense"

Posted November 12, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming

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On Tuesday evening, I joined with colleagues at the National Press Club, in Washington D.C., to celebrate the launch of the new book by NRDC's president, Frances Beinecke. The book, Clean Energy Common Sense, is a call to action on...continued

President Obama Calls for Action on Climate at the UN

Posted September 22, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming

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"Unease is no excuse for inaction." These were President Obama's words at the United Nations in his most significant speech on climate change since taking office, setting the tone for a bold vision that will hold the U.S.-- and...continued

Van Jones: Still A Hero

Posted September 7, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming

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This was a tough weekend for environmental advocates, as Van Jones, one of the newer heroes of the environmental community, was forced to resign from his post as the "green jobs" advisor in the White House Council on Environmental Quality....continued

An Astroturf Double-Header Hits Houston and D.C.

Posted August 19, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming

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Somehow it's fitting that Houston -- home to the Astrodome, where the Astros used to play baseball -- would be the latest place that we'd find Astroturf.  We had a double-header today with two more revelations about phony acts designed to spread fear around...continued

Astroturf Gone Wild: Summer of Fakes and Deception

Posted August 17, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming, The Media and the Environment

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Up until a few weeks ago, the only time I thought of Astroturf was in relation to high school soccer and leg burns. But, with each passing day, I'm learning more and more about front "Astroturf" groups that have been fueling angry...continued

Moving Cooler: New Analysis of Transportation Policies Unveiled

Posted July 27, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming

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The Natural Resources Defense Council is co-hosting an event today at Union Station in Washington D.C. to release a new report on transportation efficiency, called Moving Cooler. More than 200 people are expected to attend, including members of the Administration,...continued

Climate and Energy Legislation: "Now is the Time to Act"

Posted June 25, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming

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With the energy and climate legislation coming to a head in the House this week, things are definitely heating up in Washington. Latest reports are saying that the House will vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES)...continued

The Barton Plan: No Time for Party Crashers

Posted May 14, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy

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We've all been there: You're at a party, and it starts to get a little late. Suddenly, someone stumbles into the room ranting and raving. Everyone was having fun, but now the music stops. Well, that's what we're seeing today...continued

100 Days and Counting: A Fast Start for President Obama

Posted April 28, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming

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As President Obama wraps up his first 100 days in office, it's clear that he's set a high bar for the direction that he intends to lead the country. With an approval rating well over 60% and a majority of...continued

A Week of Words And Action on Energy and Climate

Posted April 24, 2009 by Michael Oko in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, The Media and the Environment, U.S. Law and Policy

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This week, energy and the environment took central stage from the fields of Iowa to the halls of Congress. Between Earth Day celebrations and Capitol Hill marathon briefings, it was all a bit dizzying. And, while not all of the...continued

Obama Delivers in Speech to Congress

Posted February 25, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming

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Before I left the office today, I read an advance excerpt of President Obama's speech to Congress. One line that stuck out was: "We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before."...continued

Mr. Obama Goes to Canada

Posted February 18, 2009 by Michael Oko in Moving Beyond Oil

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At first glance, you wouldn't think that a trip to our friendly northern neighbors would be cause for concern for environmental groups. You'd expect Canadians, with their love of outdoors and the vast wilderness, to be strong advocates for the...continued

Salazar Takes Utah Land Leases Off the Table

Posted February 4, 2009 by Michael Oko in Moving Beyond Oil, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, The Media and the Environment

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The new Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, just announced that the U.S. government will cancel 77 land leases that were issued in the last days of the Bush administration. This action will put an immediate stop to the exploitation of...continued

From Green Jobs to Smart Grids

Posted February 2, 2009 by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming

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Last week was a pretty thrilling week for environmentalists. With so much going on each day, I've been wondering what we're going to get as an encore. So far the signs are pretty good. First off, this week brings the...continued

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Switchboard is the staff blog of the Natural Resources Defense Council, the nation’s most effective environmental group. For more about our work, including in-depth policy documents, action alerts and ways you can contribute, visit NRDC.org.

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