Monthly Archives: December 2008

When Obama says climate change is “a matter of urgency and of national security” he needs to say why

Posted on December 28, 2008 by Rick Piltz

“All three of us are in agreement that the time for delay is over, the time for denial is over.  We all believe what the scientists have been telling us for years now, that this is a matter of urgency … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change Preparedness, Obama Administration | Comments Off on When Obama says climate change is “a matter of urgency and of national security” he needs to say why

New abrupt climate change report says greater sea level rise and more arid U.S. Southwest likely

Posted on December 26, 2008 by Rick Piltz

The United States faces the potential for abrupt climate change in the 21st century that could pose clear risks to society in terms of our ability to adapt, concludes a recently released U.S. Climate Change Science Program synthesis report. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessments of Climate Impacts and Adaptation, U.S. Global Change Research Program | Comments Off on New abrupt climate change report says greater sea level rise and more arid U.S. Southwest likely

Happy Holidays

Posted on December 24, 2008 by Rick Piltz

Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year from the Climate Science Watch team.  May the holiday season bring you peace and joy. Thanks to all the thousands of “unique visitors” (a webstats term) to this site.  Stay tuned—we’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Comments Off on Happy Holidays

Getting to know Dr. John Holdren, Part 1: Remarks in 1997 on global climatic disruption

Posted on December 23, 2008 by Rick Piltz

Text of Presidential Science Adviser-designee John Holdren’s remarks and Q&A at a 1997 press conference to release a Scientists’ Statement on Global Climatic Disruption:  Holdren and NOAA Administrator-designee Jane Lubchenco were among six initial signers.  As US public and political … Continue reading →

Posted in Obama Administration | Comments Off on Getting to know Dr. John Holdren, Part 1: Remarks in 1997 on global climatic disruption

Second RGGI cap-and-trade auction raised $106 M; states not spending any of it on adaptation

Posted on December 22, 2008 by Rick Piltz

Ten northeastern states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) held a second auction on December 17, less than three months after their first (see our post).  A total of 31.5 million allowances (permits for emitting tons of CO2) … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change Preparedness | Comments Off on Second RGGI cap-and-trade auction raised $106 M; states not spending any of it on adaptation

Broken Government assessment of Bush administration failures includes climate change communication

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Rick Piltz

The Center for Public Integrity has identified 128 “systematic failures” across the the executive branch during the past eight years, in areas ranging from the military and veterans affairs to justice and security to finance to consumers and workers to … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Science Censorship | Comments Off on Broken Government assessment of Bush administration failures includes climate change communication

Under next director CDC must participate in climate science program with health impacts research

Posted on December 19, 2008 by Rick Piltz

The Centers for Disease Control should be directed to engage actively in the multiagency Climate Change Science Program, we told the Washington Independent.  CDC should be directed and supported to develop a research, assessment, and public communication agenda focused on … Continue reading →

Posted in Obama Administration, U.S. Global Change Research Program | Comments Off on Under next director CDC must participate in climate science program with health impacts research

Jane Lubchenco for NOAA Administrator

Posted on December 18, 2008 by Rick Piltz

The Washington Post is reporting what we’ve heard on the grapevine, that President-elect Obama will name leading marine biologist Jane Lubchenco as his choice to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  As for having the right ideas about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Obama Administration, Science-Policy Interaction | Comments Off on Jane Lubchenco for NOAA Administrator

Obama to appoint John Holdren as President’s Science Adviser? This would be a great choice.

Posted on December 18, 2008 by Rick Piltz

It is being reported that President-elect Obama has picked John Holdren of Harvard University to serve as the President’s Science Adviser and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.  We have long had the highest regard … Continue reading →

Posted in Obama Administration, Science-Policy Interaction | Comments Off on Obama to appoint John Holdren as President’s Science Adviser? This would be a great choice.

Ken Salazar for Interior Sec.: Weak on scientific integrity, endangered species, global warming?

Posted on December 17, 2008 by Rick Piltz

The Center for Biological Diversity says the record of Sen. Ken Salazar, President-elect Obama’s choice for Secretary of the Interior, “is especially weak in the arenas most important to the next Secretary: protecting scientific integrity, combating global warming, reforming energy … Continue reading →

Posted in Obama Administration | Comments Off on Ken Salazar for Interior Sec.: Weak on scientific integrity, endangered species, global warming?