Tag Archives: global warming

Thoreau’s Legacy: American Stories about Global Warming

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This book is available free on the Web, compiled by the Union of Concerned Scientists in 2009:

Thoreau’s Legacy: American Stories about Global Warming introduces a new generation of writers and photographers with a personal connection to global warming. The 67 essays and images in this anthology are drawn from nearly 1,000 submissions about beloved places, people, plants, animals, and activities at risk from a changing climate—and the efforts that individuals are making to save what they love. A foreword by author Barbara Kingsolver serves as a powerful call to action.
The essays we selected represent a variety of perspectives, voices, and experiences. The authors follow in the long tradition of great American environmental writers, like Henry David Thoreau, who have broadened our awareness and sharpened our perspective about the world we share. And they are inspiring action to protect our planet from global warming. They are Thoreau’s legacy.

Source: Email from Union of Concerned Scientists [action@ucsusa.org] June 22, 2009.

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint — CQ Researcher

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This Week’s Report, from the CQ Researcher weekly alert:

“Reducing Your Carbon Footprint” by Thomas J. Billitteri, December 5, 2008

Can individual actions reduce global warming?

As climate change rises closer to the top of the government’s policy agenda – and an economic crisis intensifies – more and more consumers are trying to change their behavior so they pollute and consume less. To reduce their individual “carbon footprints,” many are cutting gasoline and home-heating consumption, choosing locally grown food and recycling. While such actions are important in curbing global warming, the extent to which consumers can reduce or reverse broad-scale environmental damage is open to debate. Moreover, well-intentioned personal actions can have unintended consequences that cancel out positive effects. To have the greatest impact, corporate and government policy must lead the way, many environmental advocates say.

Are measures of individual carbon emissions valid?
Should government do more to encourage individuals to reduce their carbon footprints?
Can individual action significantly reduce global climate change?

To view this week’s entire report on CQ Researcher Online, click here.

CQ Researcher is an excellent service/publication.

Climate Change May Challenge National Security

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“Climate Change May Challenge National Security, Classified Report Warns
Source: The Earth Institute at Columbia University

The National Intelligence Council (NIC) has completed a new classified assessment that explores how climate change could threaten U.S. security in the next 20 years by causing political instability, mass movements of refugees, terrorism, or conflicts over water and other resources. Among the major outside contributors of data was the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), a member of Columbia University’s Earth Institute. While the NIC assessment itself is confidential, the CIESIN data is public, and is posted here (PDF; 4.5 MB).”

Source: DocuTicker Newsletter No. 41

Scientific Assessment of the Effects of Global Change on the United States

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Finally released, after four years, and even now only after threat of
a court order —
from the National Science and Technology Council,
Scientific Assessment of the Effects of Global Change on the United States

Source: CHEMICAL INFORMATION SOURCES DISCUSSION LIST on behalf of Robert Michaelson

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is meeting in Bali

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The countries (192) that have ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) an international treaty, are meeting again to update the Kyoto Protocols which are due to expire in 2012. The Union of Concerned Scientists has begun a newsletter, the Bali Bulletin to report information about this meeting in Bali, Indonesia.

Here is some background and further links.