The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is expected to debate amendments to a bill proposed by Sens. Lieberman (I-CT) and Warner (R-VA) that would create a “cap and trade” system designed to cut total U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions. Yet an expert with the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) says the cap and trade system would slow economic growth with little if any environmental improvement to show for it.
“Back in 1997 the Senate took the sensible position that the U.S. should not adopt any climate treaty that would either harm the economy or that didn’t include meaningful participation by major developing countries,” said H. Sterling Burnett, senior fellow at the NCPA. “Now, with an election year fast approaching, many of the same Senators are rushing to adopt a unilateral bill that violates both of those principles. The good news is this proposal has little chance of becoming law.”
The bill, titled “America’s Climate Security Act,” would restrict greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, petroleum refiners, major manufacturers and natural gas supplied to both residential and commercial buildings under what is called a “cap and trade” mechanism. Under a cap and trade system, government establishes a cap on total emissions, and then auctions or gives allowances to the affected industries, allowing them to emit carbon dioxide at certain levels. Companies are also allowed to trade their emission allowances among themselves, so that companies that can cost effectively cut emissions more than their allowed amount can sell their excess emission credits to others. Over time, the annual emissions limits would decline.
Burnett noted that an analysis of cap and trade proposals in general by the Congressional Budget Office estimated costs to the economy in tens of billions and perhaps hundreds of billions of dollars annually and concluded that the poor would bear the brunt of resulting higher energy prices.
“These costs could be quite high since the technologies don’t exist at the present to meet the emission reduction goals,” said Burnett. “There is no telling if and when we can separate economic growth from growth in energy use or at least from growth in fossil fuel use.”
Increasingly scientists are advocating geo-engineering approaches, as more immediate, cost-effective ways to reduce warming. And politicians and analysts world wide are coming to embrace the need for adapting to future warming.
The NCPA is an internationally known nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute with offices in Dallas and Washington, D. C. that advocates private solutions to public policy problems. We depend on the contributions of individuals, corporations and foundations that share our mission. The NCPA accepts no government grants.
Chicago is starting to be known as one of the greenest cities in the nation. And of course, people recognize the city for the Sears Tower. The tallest building in North America and the city’s green initiatives might be joining forces.
The tallest building in North America is officially going green, along with a few of its Windy City counterparts. At a green building expo in Chicago yesterday, former President Bill Clinton and eterna-Mayor Richard Daley announced a partnership to retrofit landmarks including the Sears Tower and the Merchandise Mart, the nation’s largest commercial center. Using features like wind turbines and green roofs, the endeavor will seek to save energy, fight climate change, and — perhaps most important — show other communities and countries around the world that environment and economy do mix. Green building and other climate fixes represent “a staggering economic opportunity,” Clinton said. “I think this is the greatest opportunity our country has had to generate prosperity since we mobilized for World War I.” Daley, who first took office in 1914, nodded sagely.
A lot of people are changing their daily habits and adopting more eco-friendly practices - and holiday gift giving is no exception. Unbeknownst to the average consumer, many of the seemingly normal gifts are starting to look a little green.
Putting more green into your holidays means more than leaving less impact on the planet. It’s about choosing gifts that are made with durable, quality, non-toxic materials. Luckily, this often leads to quirky, one-of-a-kind items that say as much about your creative leanings as your Earth-friendliness. Giving green can mean everything from reusing gift wrap and gift bags (or do-it-yourself stenciled paper bags or comics pages), to putting all-natural lotions and beeswax candles in stockings and solar-powered electronics and vintage jewelry under the tree. Of course, if you choose to actually give green — as in plants! — that’s OK, too. (In that case, we recommend philodendron, Boston fern, peace lily and English ivy, all of which are known for their air-cleaning qualities.)
-For the gadget geek: The eco hard drive
-For children: Non-toxic toys and games
-For the outdoors enthusiast: Sustainable skis and snowboards
-For the chief household officer: Creative kitchenware
-For the hipster/fashionista: Reclaimed bags and accessories
-For the eco-economic (under $25): The waterproof wallet
Chicago Biofuels is offering a unique stocking stuffer - renewable energy. Well, not really…but you can buy eco-friendly gifts from their Web site.
Check out the new merchandise page online to see their t-shirts and bumper stickers. The t-shirts are 100% US made organic cotton that’s locally hand silk-screened with non-toxic inks and the stickers are the perfect stocking stuffer for all your bio-buddies.
There are other ways to support Chicago Biofuels in your holiday giving…consider making a donation in someone’s name…and nothing says I love you (and the earth) like a gift membership. Remember to order early to be sure your gift arrives in time for whichever holiday you choose to celebrate this season (they suggest ordering by Dec. 14th if said holiday involves a fat man in a red suit).
Mackenzie Yang, a journalist from the Columbia Spectator, hit the nail on the head: Green eating habits mean more than just broccoli.
After attending a series of workshops on food, farms and community health in New York, Yang learned some lessons that Chicagoans need to hear.
Lesson 1:
Eating organic produce translates to eating an extra serving of fruits and vegetables due to all the antioxidants and nutrients it has compared to nonorganic produce.
Lesson 2:
Vitamin content in nonorganic fruits and vegetables has decreased by 10 to 40 percent over the years.
Lesson 3:
Irradiated food—food exposed to radiation to kill off bacteria—does not have to be labeled as such, even if it’s sold in restaurants, schools, and hospitals. This is disturbing, as irradiation destroys vitamins, protein, and essential fatty acids, and produces chemicals that have been linked to DNA damage in human cells.
Watch a video that shows step-by-step how the women of WomanCraft, a social enterprise of Deborah’s Place, turn shredded office paper into wedding invitations, stationary and holiday cards. After watching the process, think about trying it out for yourself or coming by the studio to see the papermaking process firsthand.
For further reading, check out last month’s post about the non-profit organzation creating new beginnings for women in Chicago.
