1.30.2007
Congress Moving on Climate Change (SFGate.com)
Industry, GOP, Dems try to curb greenhouse gas risk
Zachary Coile, Chronicle Washington Bureau
Monday, January 29, 2007
01-29) 04:00 PST Washington -- The U.S. Senate, showing a new enthusiasm for the fight against global warming, begins hearings this week on competing proposals by lawmakers to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year, the Republican-led Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held regular hearings on whether global warming was a hoax. But Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who now chairs the panel, is staging a rare open-microphone hearing Tuesday, where senators will offer their ideas for tackling climate change.
Calls for action will probably grow when the U.N. International Panel on Climate Change issues a report Friday in Paris that is expected to show increased certainty among scientists that human use of fossil fuels is causing warming. The report also includes projections about the damage that various regions could suffer from rising sea levels, heat waves and droughts.
The Democratic takeover of Congress, combined with growing calls from industry, religious leaders and the public for action, has dramatically improved the chances for legislation that could set limits on carbon dioxide emissions, raise fuel economy standards, and require greater energy efficiency for buildings.
"There is just a coming together of so many different groups and so many individuals in favor of moving forward to combat global warming," Boxer said in an interview last week. "It's very, very encouraging."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco is putting pressure on House Democrats to act fast by creating a new select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and setting an ambitious deadline of passing climate change legislation by July 4.
"Global warming is an increasing threat to our world, with implications for our health, food supply, and the survival of many species and perhaps entire ecosystems," Pelosi said in a speech last week to the U.S. Conference of Mayors. "We cannot afford to wait."
The groundswell for action has been so great that even President Bush is recalibrating his stance on climate change.
(More ... San Francisco Chronicle > News)
Zachary Coile, Chronicle Washington Bureau
Monday, January 29, 2007
01-29) 04:00 PST Washington -- The U.S. Senate, showing a new enthusiasm for the fight against global warming, begins hearings this week on competing proposals by lawmakers to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year, the Republican-led Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held regular hearings on whether global warming was a hoax. But Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who now chairs the panel, is staging a rare open-microphone hearing Tuesday, where senators will offer their ideas for tackling climate change.
Calls for action will probably grow when the U.N. International Panel on Climate Change issues a report Friday in Paris that is expected to show increased certainty among scientists that human use of fossil fuels is causing warming. The report also includes projections about the damage that various regions could suffer from rising sea levels, heat waves and droughts.
The Democratic takeover of Congress, combined with growing calls from industry, religious leaders and the public for action, has dramatically improved the chances for legislation that could set limits on carbon dioxide emissions, raise fuel economy standards, and require greater energy efficiency for buildings.
"There is just a coming together of so many different groups and so many individuals in favor of moving forward to combat global warming," Boxer said in an interview last week. "It's very, very encouraging."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco is putting pressure on House Democrats to act fast by creating a new select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and setting an ambitious deadline of passing climate change legislation by July 4.
"Global warming is an increasing threat to our world, with implications for our health, food supply, and the survival of many species and perhaps entire ecosystems," Pelosi said in a speech last week to the U.S. Conference of Mayors. "We cannot afford to wait."
The groundswell for action has been so great that even President Bush is recalibrating his stance on climate change.
(More ... San Francisco Chronicle > News)
Labels: Climate Change, Congress, San Francisco Chronicle
¶ 08:07
