Take Democratic Action for Climate Change

Today is the first day of autumn and also the day of the United Nations’ day-long Climate Summit so why not consider taking some action to help preserve our planet?

There is currently an proposed rider amendment to an Interior Appropriation in the senate that would exempt greenhouse gases from the Clean Air Act. It was put forward by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski. It is important to contact your senators to let them know that you oppose this amendment. The amendment would block the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases from stationary sources such as coal-fired power plants. This is completely unacceptable as regulating greenhouse gases is the only way we are going to reduce global warming. This would be like passing a law telling the police they cannot stop crime. The Clean Air Act works and must be protected.

Here's how you can help in just a few minutes.

Get out your cell phone and call your senator's office. Don't just send an email, calling speaks louder and is actually faster. With cell phones you've already paid for your minutes so long distance calls are part of your plan already.

If you're from Minnesota, Call senator Franken at 202-224-5641 then call Klobuchar at 202-224-3244. All you have to do is say the following. "Hi, I'm one of Senator Franken's constituents and I'd like him to vote to oppose the Murkowski amendment on Interior Appropriations." They'll put a little tally in the "oppose" column on their spreadsheet and voila, you're done. Just so you know, Klobuchar's office will ask you for your zip code. It takes about 30 seconds to take part in our democracy. Franken's staff has told me that he is already planning on voting against the amendment but still call. Klobuchar's staff did not tell me what her stance was on the amendment.

If you are from outside Minnesota you can find the phone number for your senator's office here.

~Kirk

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Climate Change Atlas

Hello All,

I've been swallowed up by the state fair so in the mean time I'm going to share an incredibly cool link with you. This is an online Climate Change Atlas from the Northern Research Station. You can use to see the effects global warming will have on different species. As an example, I brought up some results for the Minnesota State Bird, the Common Loon. Check out how the different predicted models will affect the distribution of this species.

I haven't had a lot of time to mess around with it. Please share any interesting observations you make in the comments below.

~Kirk

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McKibben on Colbert Report

I wasn't able to attend the Bill McKibben and Will Steger forum last night but here's a clip of McKibben on the Colbert Report two days ago. He's calling for an international day of action on climate change on October 24.

You can still join the Summer Institute on Climate Change TODAY at the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus or via the web. See http://www.willstegerfoundation.org/ for details.

~Kirk

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4th Annual Summer Institute on Climate Change 2009

Hey Twin Cities. Has the hot muggy weather got you thinking about climate change? If you're interested in climate change be sure to check out the Will Steger Foundation's 4th Annual Summer Institute on Climate Change, this year featuring Will Steger and author Bill McKibben. It will be at the University of Minnesota's St. Paul Campus on Wednesday August 19th, 8:30-4:30 pm.

You can register online at Go to www.willstegerfoundation.org

Here's the official message about the event from the organizers:

The 2009 Summer Institute invites YOU to join us in-person, or by webinar, for a full day of interactive exploration of international climate solutions and related curriculum.

The 2009 Institute will focus on the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen and unveil a brand new curriculum on international climate solutions for grades 9-12.

Visit www.willstegerfoundation.org to learn more about the 2009 Summer Institute and how to register. 


Expedition Copenhagen 2009 – Citizen Climate Curriculum

Follow along with polar explorer Will Steger as he and a group of young people embark on Expedition Copenhagen, a mission to bring the youth voice to the international climate negotiations in December. First give your students the basic knowledge they need to follow the news coverage of the climate negotiations and the skills they need to make their opinions heard. Then send your students’ statements to the youth delegates headed to Copenhagen and follow the Youth Delegation’s multimedia blogs. Download free standards-linked high school lesson plans from the Will Steger Foundation. These lesson plans build on the Will Steger Foundation’s original six lesson plans on the basics of global warming. The new lessons cover the carbon cycle, target levels for atmospheric levels of greenhouse gasses, cap and trade, carbon tax, new technologies, concerns of developed and developing countries, and how to formulate position statements. Lessons are free and available at www.globalwarming101.com in June 2009.
Attached is an informational flyer and application you can mail in, as well.

~Kirk

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