Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming
"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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming , The Media and the Environment
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming , U.S. Law and Policy
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming , The Media and the Environment , U.S. Law and Policy
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Moving Beyond Oil
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Moving Beyond Oil , Saving Wildlife and Wild Places , The Media and the Environment
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming
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→
Posted by Michael Oko in Solving Global Warming
As I reflect on Inauguration Day 2009, a day filled with great promise, I keep thinking about an editorial I came across a few days ago. It was written by Thomas Friedman in the New York Times. Here's a selection...continued→
