Fri, 2 July 2010  Dr. Michael Mann, internationally respected climate scientist at Penn State University is a true profile in courage. He has endured attacks on his work and on him personally by the minions of the polluters for years. And each set of attacks has resulted in the same thing – his vindication. Comments[0] |
Fri, 28 May 2010  It was an incredible honor to have Dr. Robert Bullard as featured speaker at PennFuture's Global Warming Conference on May 2 in Pittsburgh. This video podcast demonstrates why Dr. Bullard is so respected across the globe as the Father of Environmental Justice. He clearly lays out the case for fighting global warming as a justice issue, outlining how intertwined the drive for social equity is with environmental protection, and how urgently we must act. PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania’s environment and economy. Isn’t it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes. Direct download: Dr_Bullard_Climate_Change_05_02_2010.mp4 Category: Global Warming -- posted at: 1:29 PM Comments[0] |
Fri, 21 May 2010  One of the highlights of our Pittsburgh Global Warming Conference on May 2 was the presentation by one of the world’s premiere climate change experts – Dr. Michael Mann. PennFuture was delighted that Dr. Mann agreed to present his research. Comments[0] |
Fri, 7 May 2010 Last Sunday (May 2), PennFuture held its annual Southwestern Pennsylvania Global Warming Conference in Pittsburgh. Two experts and heroes of the environmental movement – Dr. Robert Bullard, the father of environmental justice, and Dr. Michael Mann, one of the world’s preeminent climate scientists, were the keynote speakers. (Stay tuned for videos of their presentations.) This podcast features a panel discussion on global warming policies that are great for the environment, the economy, and create great green jobs. The panelists are John Hanger, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Jan Jarrett, president and CEO of PennFuture; and Heather Sage, PennFuture’s vice president. PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania’s environment and economy. Isn’t it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes. Comments[0] |
Fri, 18 December 2009  In this podcast, you’ll hear Jessica Schrum, intern from the Student Conservation Association, discuss her experiences at PennFuture with Joylette Portlock, PennFuture’s western Pennsylvania outreach coordinator. They are the women who are leading the charge to make Pittsburgh “even cooler” by helping residents make measurable reductions in the heat-trapping gases they produce. The Black and Gold Goes Green Campaign works with Pittsburgh’s citizens, helping them take concrete actions to reduce global warming pollution and its impact on the local economy and public health. This week the campaign announced that Chatham College, United Jewish Federation, East Liberty Development and Sustainable Pittsburgh were the winners in their respective categories of the Black and Gold Community Challenge. The winners prevented the release of about 800,000 pounds of heat-trapping gases during a two-month period. If you aren't already a member of PennFuture, what are you waiting for? PennFuture was called the state's "leading environmental advocacy organization" by the Philadelphia Inquirer. So join the leader on our secure website, and sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you hear our podcasts first subscribing to them through iTunes. Comments[0] |
Fri, 4 December 2009 This week, we present a vidcast features John Rowe, Chair and CEO of Exelon, one of the nation's largest electric and gas utilities, who was the featured speaker at PennFuture’s southeastern Global Warming conference in October. Rowe is steadfastly fighting the good fight to stop global warming pollution, using his powers of persuasion in the business community, in the Halls of Congress and in the hearts of our citizens. This video features PennFuture’s President and CEO Jan Jarrett introducing Denis O’Brien, president and CEO of PECO (our state’s largest utility and part of Exelon), who then intros his boss, John Rowe. Together, these speakers make a powerful case for immediate action to stem global warming. PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania’s environment and economy. Isn’t it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes. Comments[0] |
Fri, 1 May 2009  Although it is home to miles of highways and development, Montgomery County may arguably be the greenest county in Pennsylvania. That’s due to the vision of the citizens and elected officials who have put together a Greenprint – a vigorous project to reduce the county’s contribution of heat trapping gases that cause global warming.This podcast features Montgomery County resident and PennFuture staffer Joy Bergey, a member of the Advisory Committee on Climate Change, interviewing some of the key leaders of the Greenprint project. She talks to County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, who discusses the many parts of the project, including successful outreach to the business community. She also talks to Steve Nelson, Director of Policy for the Montgomery County Planning Commission, who discusses how the County is working to operate all its properties and programs while causing as little pollution as possible. And she completes the picture by interviewing Caesar Gambone, co-engineer and plant supervisor for the County, who talks about his work on the frontlines in making direct reductions in energy use and pollution throughout the county. You too can make a difference in cutting heat trapping gases. Join PennFuture’s Cool Pennsylvania Campaign – and Pittsburghers can join The Black and Gold City Goes Green Campaign – to help make Pennsylvania even cooler! Comments[1] |
Fri, 30 January 2009 This podcast features PennFuture’s Joy Bergey reporting from a conference at the University of Pennsylvania about the Delaware River and how global warming may impact the cities on the river, including Philadelphia. The conference showcased a study by students of Professor Jonathan Barnett of Penn’s School of Design, Department of City and Regional Planning.Joy first talks with Nikki Thorpe, one of the students who conducted the study. She also speaks with Professor Ben Horton of Penn’s Earth and Environmental Science Department, whose expertise is on sea level rise and global warming. Finally, we hear from architect David Waggoner from New Orleans. Many believe that the Katrina disaster was a look into the future of our warming world; Waggoner’s discussion of what New Orleans must do to prevent future Katrina’s is a sobering lesson for all of us about global warming. You can take action to help stop global warming right now. Join our Cool Pennsylvania Campaign today. Comments[0] |
Fri, 17 October 2008 This week’s podcast features PennFuture’s Joy Bergey interviewing Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation about NWF’s work to protect habitat and wildlife from destruction due to global warming. Joy and Larry were both in Nashville for the Climate Project’s Faith Community Training with Al Gore. You can become part of the global warming solution in Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit our web site to join the Cool Pennsylvania campaign. You can also sign up to attend our upcoming global warming conference, Making the Transition to a Just and Sustainable World, to be held at Beth David Reform Congregation in Gladwyne on Sunday, November 9, 2008 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The conference features renowned NASA scientist James Hansen; the conference is free, but reservations are required. Space is limited, so reserve your seat today. Comments[0] |
Fri, 6 June 2008  In May 2008, PennFuture hosted our first conference on global warming to be held in northeastern Pennsylvania at the University of Scranton. U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. opened the conference as the keynote speaker. In this podcast, PennFuture's president and CEO John Hanger introduces Senator Casey at the event. Senator Casey talks about his work and the current state of affairs in Washington on global warming. This is particularly timely since the Senate began the week of June 2 to debate the Climate Security Act (S. 3036, formerly S. 2191), sponsored by Senators Lieberman and Warner. Senator Casey is a co-sponsor. This marks the first time that the U.S. Congress has seriously begun to consider federal legislation on climate change. In his address, Senator Casey said that we simply must enact legislation to slow, stop, and reduce the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. He became particularly concerned about the rising occurrence of drought through the world, noting that drought leads to death and darkness in many corners of the globe, and that if you know nothing else about climate change, that should be enough to convince you to take action. You can learn more about the Pennsylvania- and northeast U.S.-specific impacts of climate change from a recent report by Union of Concerned Scientists. Senator Casey mentions his concerns for workers in manufacturing states like Pennsylvania, and has worked with Senator Barbara Boxer (chair of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee) to ensure that this legislation if passed will takes care of workers. Senator Casey's amendment would create a fund for workers that would cover any needed wage replacement, health care coverage, and job training for the thousands of new, green family-sustaining jobs that will emerge from enacting climate change legislation. Senator Casey expressed how difficult it is to adequately summarize the widespread, devastating impacts of global warming in the U.S. and throughout the world. But he says it is obvious that we must reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases that are causing global warming, but at the same time, we need to embrace the good-paying jobs of the future that will come from those reductions, and commit to helping other nations do the same. As he said, this is a very simple question: "What did you do when you had the power?" Senator Casey feels a responsibility to act now on climate change, and to mobilize, because the future won't wait. Please get involved: urge the federal government to pass this or stronger legislation as soon as possible. There are also many opportunities at the state level, including passing landmark legislation to change how Pennsylvania makes and uses energy, significantly cutting our contributions to global warming. As always, we welcome your comments. Simply e-mail us, or click on "Comments" below. Comments[0] |
Wed, 9 April 2008 PennFuture, LaRoche College, and the Pennsylvania Interfaith Climate Change Campaign recently co-sponsored a conference in southwestern Pennsylvania called Cool Pennsylvania: Solutions for a Warming Planet. The event brought together citizens, organizations, businesses, and elected officials, all exploring the latest facts about global warming and its impacts, and the variety of solutions that we can and must employ.Enacting critical legislation at the state level that will help Pennsylvania significantly change the way we make and use energy is one part of the strategy. A state policy panel moderated by PennFuture's CEO and president John Hanger included Allen Kukovich (director of Office of Governor Ed Rendell for the southwest region), Rep. Lisa Bennington (D-21), and Brian Hill (president and CEO of Pennsylvania Environmental Council). In this podcast, listen in to another panel discussion from the conference. PennFuture's Jan Jarrett moderates the state solutions panel, including representatives from a variety of Pennsylvania organizations and businesses all working to reduce our significant contributions to global warming. You'll hear from Dick Rosey of Solar Power Industries; Tim Vought from Gamesa Energy USA; Eamon Geary from the Green Building Alliance; Brian Snyder from the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture; and Nathaniel Doyno from Steel City Biofuels. The panel discussion lasted approximately one hour, and included a range of excellent questions from the audience. You can become part of the solution in Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit our Web site to join the Cool Pennsylvania campaign. You can also sign up to attend an upcoming global warming conference to be held in Scranton featuring U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and many other national, state, and local experts. Direct download: PennFuture_SWGWConference_Panel2.mp3 Category: Global Warming -- posted at: 4:00 PM Comments[0] |
Fri, 8 February 2008 This week’s podcast features speakers from just a few of the nearly 40 teach-ins and other events held recently as part of Focus the Nation. All these events were created to build awareness of global warming and other environmental emergencies, and to move all involved to action in finding solutions. These events featured students and other activists, scientific experts and elected officials. PennFuture’s Joy Bergey participated in the event at Ursinus College, and brought us two terrific interviews. First, Andrew Revkin, award winning journalist who covers environment for the New York Times, talks about how global warming is felt in the underdeveloped world; then Dr. Heidi Cullen, climate expert for The Weather Channel, discusses some of the science behind climate change. Pam Fendrock, PennFuture’s northeast Pennsylvania outreach coordinator, attended two Focus the Nation events. At the first, at Moravian College, she interviewed one of the student organizers, Samantha Lukasiewicz, who talked about how the organizing impacted on the lives of students. At Wilkes University, she interviewed Dr. Marleen Troy, associate professor of environmental engineering, who talked about green initiatives currently at Wilkes. You can be part of the solution by joining PennFuture’s Cool Pennsylvania campaign. Visit our website, and attend our upcoming global warming workshops – Saturday. April 5 at LaRoche College just outside of Pittsburgh, or Saturday. May 17 at the University of Scranton.
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Fri, 27 July 2007 This is part two in our two-part series on the Union of Concerned Scientists' (UCS) recent report "Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Northeast: Science, Impacts and Solutions." In this podcast, PennFuture's Sharon Pillar speaks with Dr. Lewis Ziska, who serves as one of the members of the UCS health & agriculture teams. Dr. Ziska is a plant physiologist with the United States Department of Agriculture in their Agricultural Research Service.Dr. Ziska reviews some fascinating recent findings regarding the impacts of increasing temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels on crops, agricultural products, and public health. Scientists are interested in determining how agriculture must adapt to the impacts of global warming, the impacts of weeds and pests resulting from climate change, the economic and environmental consequences of both things, and the links between climate change, plants, and public health. For example, in Pennsylvania, agriculture is the state's number one industry. Pennsylvania's dairy farmers alone contribute a very significant amount to the Commonwealth's economy, at the state and local levels. Producing about one billion gallons of milk every year, Pennsylvania cows are at serious risk from global warming because their milk production decreases as temperatures go up. In 2005, the industry lost $40 million in Pennsylvania as a result of high temperatures and low rainfall. Many Pennsylvanians also suffer from allergies and allergenic asthma. Dr. Ziska describes how weeds like ragweed actually are making allergies worse as heat-trapping gas emissions continue to rise in the atmosphere. Pollen from ragweed, for instance, is produced in greater quantities as temperature and carbon dioxide goes up, and the allergy-causing attributes of that pollen increase as well. Poison ivy has been thriving as well. Nutritional values of some agricultural crops are even decreasing as a result of global warming-- cereal crops are losing protein, though scientists don't yet understand why. And while many people in the world deal with illness by filling a prescription at the pharmacy, few of us consider the plants that many medicines come from, or the three billion people worldwide that depend directly on plants for their medicinal qualities. Dr. Liska shares that scientists are discovering that the medicinal values of many plants are decreasing or changing as a result of higher temperatures. The effects are almost impossible to predict or quantify. Waiting to act is not an option, as Dr. Liska points out during this podcast. The need for action is "yesterday," as he says. To learn how you can become a part of the Cool Pennsylvania Campaign to stop global warming at home, visit our Web site. There, you will also find links to the UCS study and other important information about global warming. We encourage you to support our work through a donation, and by joining our weekly global warming news e-mail list. As always, we welcome your comments; simply e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org, or click on "Comments" below. Comments[0] |
Thu, 19 July 2007 "Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Northeast: Science, Impacts and Solutions" was recently released by the Union of Concerned Scientists, and PennFuture's Sharon Pillar had an opportunity to speak with two of the scientists who contributed to this comprehensive, stunning report. This new report, part of a series in the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment (NECIA), provides information on the impacts of climate change on key climate-sensitive sectors (coastal, marine, forests, agriculture, winter recreation and health), and options and opportunities for mitigation and adaptation. The NECIA is a collaboration between the Union of Concerned Scientists and a team of more than 50 independent scientists and economists and covers the U.S. Northeast, from Pennsylvania to Maine. The report finds that without urgent action to reduce heat-trapping gas emissions today, the region could face a number of very serious impacts, detailed below. Important to note, however, is that the report examines two emissions scenarios, a high and low, but these should not be considered ceilings or floors. In other words, things could be even worse than predicted and modeled, and even under the lower emission scenario, things are bad. The key will be for us to reduce significantly our contributions to the problem to come in below the low-emissions scenario; that would mean, on average, cutting emissions by about three percent per year for decades, which is very achievable but cannot be delayed. In this podcast (first in a two-part series), Sharon speaks to Dr. Jerry Melillo. Vice-chair of the NECIA synthesis team, Dr. Melillo is director of the Ecosystems Center at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., and a trustee for the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment. Summary of Potential Impacts Climate: By late this century, summers in Pennsylvania could resemble summers today in Georgia or Alabama if emissions continue unabated. Under a lower-emission scenario, summers in Pennsylvania could resemble those in Virginia and Kentucky. Human Health: The number of days of dangerous heat and poor air quality that Pennsylvania residents will need to cope with could increase dramatically this century. By late-century, Pittsburgh could experience roughly 24 days over 100°F every summer under the higher-emissions scenario, compared with roughly six such days under the lower-emissions scenario. Also, increasing levels of carbon dioxide are expected to accelerate seasonal pollen production over the next several decades, extending the allergy season and exacerbating symptoms for asthma and allergy sufferers across the state. Agriculture: Under the high emissions scenario, most July days in Pennsylvania late in the century are projected to exceed the heat-stress threshold for many economically important crops currently grown in the state, and the dairy industry is particularly at risk. High temperatures would also allow agricultural pests and weeds, such as kudzu, to spread further north. But there is good news, too. The report shows that the technology and ingenuity to reduce the threat of global warming is already at our fingertips. Solutions are already available: Electric Power: The state of Pennsylvania has seized upon wind energy as a new energy resource and an economic development strategy. The wind-energy company Gamesa, for example, is investing $84 million and creating nearly 1,000 jobs by locating its U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia and building three plants in the state. We have also made great strides in jump-starting renewable energy development and energy conservation by passing key sections of the Energy Independence Strategy, and will continue to pursue other aspects of the total strategic package as laid out by Governor Ed Rendell this fall. Buildings:"Green" building programs, like the federal Energy Star Buildings program and the U.S. Green Building Council LEED certifications, provide guidance needed to make buildings more energy-, water-, and resource-efficient. Pittsburgh has the largest number of "green" buildings of any city east of the Mississippi. Transportation: The transportation sector in the Northeast represents the single largest source of CO2 emissions. Pennsylvania adopted California's vehicle emissions standards, which will require emissions reductions of 30 percent below 2002 levels by 2016, beginning with the 2008 model year (with implementation contingent upon an EPA ruling). For more information and to view the full report, including state-specific information for all the northeastern states as well as a new solutions feature, visit www.climatechoices.org/ne. For more information on PennFuture's Cool Pennsylvania Campaign to stop global warming here at home, visit our Web site. There you can also make a donation to support this critical work. As always, we welcome your questions and comments. Simply e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org, or click on the "Comments" link below. Comments[0] |
Fri, 11 May 2007  On April 14 this year, Americans in all 50 states came together to call on leaders to take immediate action to stop global warming in a day of events called Step It Up. It was the largest day of citizen action focused on global warming in U.S. history, and was a "viral," grassroots movement, organized online, through e-mail activity, and by simple word-of-mouth. Over 1200 events and actions were organized on April 14, by people from all walks of life, focused on one message: asking Congress to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. There were a number of events held throughout Pennsylvania. PennFuture was fortunate enough to be the recipient organization of a portion of the proceeds generated at one of those events held in King of Prussia, PA at Kildare's. PennFuture's Brian Glass and Joy Bergey were among the many participants, and they made the rounds in between speeches, entertainment, and fun to talk with a number of folks there to call in unison for our elected officials to step up action on global warming. Brian speaks first with two of the three Kildare's event organizers, Chris Duvall and Keith Parsons, who describe how they together arrived at the idea for their own awareness event on global warming, teamed up with David McGrogan of Kildare's who had previously held a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina at his restaurant, and then folded their idea into the Step It Up model. PennFuture members Tom and Dolly Wallis share their personal story about changes they've made at home, including buying renewable energy and using a geothermal heat pump for their heating and cooling needs, motivated to do so as grandparents who want to leave things better for their grandchildren. Brian then talks with Mark Highland, president of Organic Mechanics, a new sustainable, peat-free potting soil company based in the Philadelphia area. Most potting soil has over 90 percent peat content, and since peat is a natural carbon sink, harvesting it for use in potting soils means that carbon is being released into the atmosphere as a source instead. Joy talks with Albert Yee from Philly Car Share about how this flexible auto-sharing program is enabling people in and around Philadelphia to go car-free and cut their carbon footprint in the process. PennFuture is a member of both Philly Car Share and Flexcar, another similar program that is now in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. She also speaks with Sarah Hetznecker and Gary Sheehan from Mesa Energy LLC, recently acquired by Sun Technics in Germany, a solar PV design and solar thermal installation company. Mesa is aiming to be a full-service renewable energy project design and installation company in the next couple of years. This Step It Up event also featured area elected officials who have taken leadership roles on state action to cut our contributions to global warming. Since Pennsylvania is third worst in the U.S. for emissions of heat-trapping gases that cause global warming, emitting one percent of the world's total (more than 105 nations combined!), we are a huge part of the problem. Brian talks with Rep. Greg Vitali (D-166) and Sen. John Rafferty (R-44), who are both sponsors of global warming legislation (HB 110 and SB 266). We end the podcast with words from legendary Philadelphia D.J. Pierre Robert, of rock radio station WMMR 93.3. He is famous for addressing listeners as "citizens," and has quite a bit to say about what he's learned about global warming, and how he has made personal changes to reduce his own environmental impacts. It's a must-listen! PennFuture would like to thank all the organizers and participants of the King of Prussia Step It Up event. To learn more about how you can get involved in our Cool Pennsylvania campaign to stop global warming here at home, visit our Web site. There you can take action on this issue, join our weekly global warming e-mail list to stay informed, and make a donation to help us continue our important work on this and other issues. As always, we welcome your comments and feedback. Simply e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org, or click on "Comments" below. Comments[0] |
Fri, 4 May 2007  PennFuture and the Pennsylvania Interfaith Climate Change Campaign recently hosted a conference called Global Warming: It's Time for Action at Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital. Nearly 200 people attended the conference, featuring panelists and presenters who are experts on the science and policies of global warming. Our keynote speaker at the conference was U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr., newly elected Senator from Pennsylvania, who campaigned on a strong environmental platform, including support for immediate federal action on global warming. Senator Casey, while previously serving as Pennsylvania State Treasurer, introduced some groundbreaking initiatives to help the Commonwealth cut our contributions to the heat-trapping gases causing global warming, by incentivizing energy efficiency and investment in renewable energy. In this video podcast from the conference, Senator Casey is introduced by PennFuture's President and CEO John Hanger. The podcast covers most of Senator Casey's keynote speech at the conference. Special thanks to conference attendee and blogger Agent Ska who was on hand to video the speech! We commandeered her home video so that you could have a taste of what you missed at the conference. Other presenters at the conference included Sr. M. Christopher Moore, Provincial Minister at the Felician Sisters of Pennsylvania, who shared the green renovation and sustainable ministry at the order's Provincial House and school in Coraopolis, PA.; Alan Traugott, Board Director for the Green Building Alliance, who shared an update on state legislative initiatives for green building and on Pittsburgh's Green Government Task Force, that is developing strategies to cut Pittsburgh's contributions to global warming; Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel, Climate Scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, who provided an update on the latest in global warming science and impacts specific to Pennsylvania; and Rep. Jake Wheatley, Jr. (19) who addressed the need for state policy on global warming and the disparate impacts of climate change on urban, minority, and poor populations. To learn more about PennFuture's Cool Pennsylvania Campaign to stop global warming here at home, visit our site. You can also take action by urging your elected officials to pass global warming legislation, signing a petition to the Governor, and joining our weekly global warming e-mail list where you will receive the latest news in a handy digest format. As always, your contribution to PennFuture will ensure that every environmental victory helps grow Pennsylvania's economy, and that together we can create a just future where nature, communities, and the economy thrive. For more information, e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org. We welcome your comments! Just click on "Comments" below. NOTE: This video podcast takes a couple minutes to load, so be patient! Comments[0] |
Tue, 10 April 2007 On April 2, 2007, the United States Supreme Court issued one of the most important decisions on environmental matters in U.S. history. In a 5 to 4 decision, the court ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) violated the Clean Air Act when it refused to regulate emissions standards for new cars and trucks to control for pollution that contributes to global warming. This means that the EPA can and should treat carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases as pollutants, and regulate them accordingly. In this podcast, PennFuture's Joy Bergey speaks with Professor Robert McKinstry, Maurice K. Goddard Chair in Forestry and Environmental Resources Conservation at Penn State University about his involvement in the historic case, and the implications of the decision. McKinstry represented climate scientists in the case, writing an amicus brief in favor of the petitioners. McKinstry believes that the decision indicates a clear need for the U.S. to regulate greenhouse gases, and that this should take the form of federal legislation and policy. Swift action is required, and considerations must be made on how federal policy and mandates will work with existing state regulations and policies, as well as within the international community. But he feels that the United States should once again take a leadership role on environmental issues in the international sphere, something we have not been doing in the recent past. McKinstry recounts some of the history of U.S. policy on heat-trapping gases, and how our policy (or lack thereof) shifted dramatically within the first year of the current Bush administration. Prior to 2001, and even within the first Bush administration, there was recognition within EPA that authority existed under the Clean Air Act to treat carbon dioxide, for example, as pollution, but that the resistance to doing so came primarily from Congress. McKinstry explains in this podcast the grounds upon which the EPA asserted in this case that they did not have the authority to regulate greenhouse gases from tailpipes. He then describes the court's decision, implications, and next steps, including information about pending state lawsuits related to this case. In terms of the "debate" on global warming, McKinstry asserts that we should not be asking how certain we are that "bad things" will happen, but how certain we are that they will not. In other words, we cannot afford to do nothing. To learn more about PennFuture's Cool Pennsylvania Campaign to stop global warming here at home, visit our campaign pages. Nearly 200 diverse businesses, groups, and organizations across the Commonwealth have signed on in support of the effort to date. You can receive our weekly global warming news digest and let Governor Rendell and state legislators know that you support strong state action on global warming. Support our work with a tax-deductible donation. We welcome your comments or questions; just click on "Comments" below, or e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org. Comments[0] |
Wed, 14 March 2007 PennFuture's Cool Pennsylvania campaign aims to stop the Commonwealth's contributions-- one percent of the world's total-- to global warming. Nearly 200 organizations, businesses, and citizens' groups have already endorsed the campaign, and the number continues to grow each day. More and more, people are realizing that the time to act is now, and that the solutions are within our grasp. The solutions range from increasing energy efficiency at home to switching to clean, renewable energy like wind power to eating locally-grown foods to working to change energy and transportation policies in Pennsylvania and the U.S. The consequences of not acting are grave, not only for our economy, environment, and health here at home, but also for people and places across the globe. PennFuture's D.J. Trischler was fortunate to travel to Niger in Africa early this year as part of a trip with La Roche College. D.J. spent a great deal of time on the journey visiting with the Touareg (or Tuareg) people in Niger, a pastoralist group of Northwest African peoples who have lived in the Sahara region for centuries. In this video podcast, D.J. shares some of his wonderful footage from the trip, and introduces us to a Touareg leader Issouf Ag Maha. Ag Maha speaks to the group (seated together around the fire in the evening) about the serious impacts of global warming on the Touareg people. He describes how desertification is increasing, that the traditional means for survival of their people are disappearing as rainfall decreases and agricultural production becomes less and less possible. As many people are recognizing, the impacts of global warming are affecting those people least equipped to deal with it, and the consequences are in fact life-threatening. To learn more about how you can get involved in stopping global warming, visit our Cool Pennsylvania pages. There are two organizations based in the United States who are working for change on behalf of the Touareg and other tribal peoples: the Nomad Foundation and Rain for the Sahel and Sahara. For more information, e-mail as at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org. We welcome your comments on this and any other podcast; just click on "Comments" below to leave your thoughts or questions. Comments[3] |
Fri, 23 February 2007 Our Earth is dramatically changing due to the scientifically proven effects of global warming. People from all walks of life are recognizing the need to act as a pressing issue. The solutions are varied, but well within our reach, as long as we work together to solve the problem. In the wake of the overwhelming global response to the Paramount Pictures documentary on Al Gore and his efforts to combat global warming, An Inconvenient Truth, Gore formed The Climate Project. The effort begins to form a coalition of global citizens, all being trained in giving the same presentation Gore gives all over the world and in the movie. The mission of the Climate Project is to educate and challenge citizens and governments into action against the growing crisis of global warming. Gore has been revising and giving his presentation for the past 15 years, and decided that the best way to get the word out as far and wide as is needed is to train "foot soldiers" to give it too, and as frequently as possible. Each Climate Project trainee pledged to give the presentation at least 10 times in the next year. The speakers we hear in this podcast make it clear: at every scale, from the most local to the global, we can all contribute to the end of global warming. What is important is that we try. Comments[0] |
Sat, 4 November 2006 Many leaders in various faith traditions and communities nationwide have taken firm and visible stands on the need for immediate and effective action to curb global warming. Viewing the issue as a moral imperative, people of faith take the call to action very seriously, recognizing that the devastating impacts of global warming are and will continue to be felt most by those least fortunate among us. Further, they take their roles as good stewards or caretakers of creation as fundamental to their faith traditions. In this podcast, PennFuture's Joy Bergey speaks first with National Council of the Churches of Christ (NCC) General Secretary Rev. Dr. Robert Edgar, who was appearing at a recent conference called "Sacred Seasons, Sacred Earth." Edgar explains why he and the NCC have placed a high priority on environmental protection and specifically on global warming work. The NCC reshaped their mission and priorities when Edgar took a leadership role there in 2000, and the NCC is the leading organization in the country in the movement for Christian unity. Joy then speaks with Rev. Jim Wallis, President and Executive Director of Sojourners/Call to Renewal and an internationally renowned author, commentator, preacher, and activist. Wallis recently served as the keynote speaker at PennFuture's annual global warming conference in southeastern Pennsylvania, and spoke to a packed house at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. Wallis describes the growing awareness among young evangelical Christians for "creation care." He shares his belief that a sea change-- not a gradual shift toward action-- is required to appropriately respond to global warming. He speaks of the critical need for new policies, new practices, and new personal choices and cultures within families as soon as possible. To learn more about PennFuture's work on stopping global warming here at home in Pennsylvania, visit our Cool Pennsylvania campaign center. For more information, or to get involved, please e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org. Comments[0] |
Fri, 6 October 2006  Cooler weather is generally the norm as autumn arrives in Pennsylvania. But September and October have been particular warm this year, and as a result, we haven't seen the disappearance of things like mosquitoes we normally would. These and other signs have Pennsylvanians concerned about what is to come as a result of global warming. Increasingly, members of the medical community are taking the public health threats associated with global warming very seriously. In this podcast, PennFuture's Joy Bergey talks to Dr. Daniel Wolk, a geriatrician and family practitioner in the Philadelphia region. Dr. Wolk has observed how older people have suffered more so than other segments of the population from heat waves in the past decade. He has become increasingly alarmed by the effects global warming on human health, including the spread of malaria and West Nile virus through mosquitoes. And in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Wolk reflects on how the medical community has been woefully unprepared for the devastating public health impacts that such a disaster causes. Joy talks to Dr. Wolk to learn more about his deep passion for the issue and for his activism. Dr. Wolk has become an advocate and educator within the medical community to engage doctors, nurses, and health practitioners to join in the critical work of action now to raise awareness and preparedness, before it is too late to react. To learn more about PennFuture's Cool Pennsylvania campaign to stop global warming here at home, visit our Web site. You can also e-mail us at info (at) pennfuture (dot) org for more information, and to join our weekly e-mail list of global warming information and to learn more about how you can help. Comments[0] |
Mon, 17 July 2006  Reversing global warming sounds like a daunting challenge. And make no mistake, it is. But the solutions are many, and done together, will have a profound impact. People want to know: what can I do? First, switch your electricity to a clean, renewable electricity provider. Learn how at www.cleanyourair.org. In this podcast, PennFuture's Joy Bergey explores other steps individuals can take. They range from the simple-- changing the type of light bulbs you use-- to the comprehensive-- totally remodeling your home. Joy speaks first with Ann Jones Gerace, Executive Director of the non-profit Conservation Consultants, Inc. based in Pittsburgh. Ann describes easy ways to save money for yourself, with the added benefits of reducing your personal contributions to global warming. Joy talks with Sr. Mary Cabrini Procopio of the Felician Sisters of Pennsylvania, where they've renovated their Provincial House and the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart school using green building techniques. The results have been significant cost savings but also improved health. Finally, we hear from Dr. Robert McKinstry, from Penn State University, about climate change myths, as they relate to the economy. We'd love you to get involved in our Cool Pennsylvania Campaign, aimed at finding solutions to Pennsylvania's contribution to the problem. To join an online e-mail discussion list, or for more information, send us an e-mail at podcastATpennfuture.org. Direct download: PFuture2006_Global_warming_conference.mp3 Category: Global Warming -- posted at: 3:00 PM Comments[0] |
Wed, 28 June 2006  When it comes to the outdoors, "some sportsmen like to say that they were the first conservationists in the United States," says Ed Zygmunt, a board member with the Pennsylvania's Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs (PFSC), in this podcast with Heather Sage from PennFuture. Ed discusses the sporting community's opinions on global warming, and the serious impacts on the hunting and angling in Pennsylvania, detailed in a national poll and Pennsylvania-specific poll recently released. The Pennsylvania sporting community recognizes that global warming is human-induced, largely resulting from fossil fuel combustion, and feel that action needs to be taken at the state and federal level. Ed believes it is critical for sportsmen and sportswomen to voice their concerns to their elected officials, on topics such as mercury pollution and global warming. To learn more about PennFuture's Cool Pennsylvania campaign, visit our web site or e-mail us at podcast@pennfuture.org. PennFuture offers an e-mail list serve for our Cool Pennsylvania Partners, with a weekly digest on timely global warming news of interest, and opportunities to get involved in supporting the efforts to reduce Pennsylvania's contributions to global warming. Direct download: PFuture2006_PaFederationofSportsmen.mp3 Category: Global Warming -- posted at: 1:24 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 30 May 2006  Former Vice President Al Gore has spent the past 30 years working diligently on the issue of global warming. Since the 2000 Presidential election, he's been traveling the world giving a riveting presentation on the need for action on global warming. He's teamed up with Paramount Pictures for a new documentary called An Inconvenient Truth. The film is a startling exploration of the crisis we all face as a result of human-induced global warming. The movie will be released in Philadelphia on June 2, Pittsburgh on June 16, and Harrisburg on June 30. To see other dates, cities, and theaters, check the movie site here. New locations and dates are added each day. In this podcast, PennFuture's Jan Jarrett sits down for a serious talk with Al Gore about the film, what needs to happen in the political sphere to reverse the trend, and about the compelling need to act now. PennFuture urges you to see this movie, and to invite your friends and family to do the same. To become involved with our Cool Pennsylvania campaign aimed at taking action here at home, e-mail us at podcast@pennfuture.org.
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Wed, 24 May 2006  Global warming is real, and more importantly, a reality we must quickly and collectively change. Though the Bush administration is failing to act, Americans everywhere aren't waiting around in the absence of federal government leadership. In this podcast, PennFuture's Joy Bergey talks with Reverend Richard Cizik, the Vice President for Government Affairs at the National Association of Evangelicals. The Evangelical Christian community has become outspoken on the need for action on global warming, releasing their Evangelical Climate Initiative in early 2006. Rev. Cizik recently was the keynote speaker at an event on global warming hosted by Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. There Joy caught up with Dr. Joe Sheldon, a professor of biology and environmental science, who has been teaching students about the need for action. Prof. Sheldon teamed up with students to compel the school to make a major purchase of renewable wind energy. PennFuture's Andrea Boykowycz speaks with graduating senior Grace Diehl of Messiah College, who led students to make the wind energy purchase. They did so by devoting a percentage of their own tuition and fees to making it happen. You too can purchase clean, renewable energy in Pennsylvania, and take one of the most important steps toward reducing your own contribution to global warming in doing so. Just visit www.cleanyourair.org to learn how. Send us your stories! Let us know what you are doing to curb global warming. E-mail us at podcast@pennfuture.org. Direct download: PFuture2006_MessiahCollegeGlobalWarming.mp3 Category: Global Warming -- posted at: 1:30 PM Comments[0] |
Fri, 28 April 2006 Last night (April 27, 2006), PennFuture hosted a special premier of the new movie, "An Inconvenient Truth," which starkly shows the reality of global warming and the need to take action now to prevent a catastrophe. After the movie was shown, former Vice-President Al Gore joined the audience for a question-and-answer session about global warming. PennFuture staff will be blogging today about the experience of being with more than 200 of Pennsylvania's environmental leaders, discussing global warming action. Category: Global Warming -- posted at: 9:22 AM Comments[3] |
Wed, 12 April 2006 In late March, residents and local municipal officials in southeastern Pennsylvania were invited to attend a seminar on global warming. The seminar was designed to helo local officials create and, more importantly, implement local action plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (the primary cause of global warming) in their communities. Communities who are doing so are finding collateral benefits of improved health and growing local economies. In this podcast, PennFuture's Joy Bergey explores a variety of strategies with speakers at the seminar and the seminar sponsor, State Representative Greg Vitali (D-PA 166). Jim Yienger, Director of the ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, or ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability) USA Policy Institute, talks about the Cities for Climate Protection program. More than 700 cities have signed on; in Pennsylvania, only Philadelphia and West Chester are part of the program so far. With 18 percent of human greenhouse gas emissions represented by the 700 participating cities, it will be a significant positive impact on the problem when full implementation is achieved. Each city creates an action plan that links climate change mitigation with actions that improve local air quality, reduce local governments' operating costs, and address other existing municipal concerns. Joy next talks with Dan Desmond, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Energy and Technology Development with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Pennsylvania has great capacity for becoming one of the nation's leaders in biofuels and biodiesel. Both offer benefits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and for improving Pennsylvania's economy. Kim Lundgren serves as the Northeast Regional Director for ICLEI, and she expands on the role that local government plays in reducing global warming. Kim is responsible for supporting 60 local governments within the region on implementing climate change prevention policies and programs. Additionally, she manages various grant programs that are focused on Northeast communities and sustainability and furthers the network of greenhouse gas emission reductions within this region. Finally, Joy talks with Rep. Vitali, who believes that the future for making real progress in combating climate change, especially in light of the lack of leadership at the national level, lies with state and local governments. Rep. Vitali introduced legislation with bipartisan support from 49 co-sponsors, aimed at assessing Pennsylvania's contribution to global warming. The bill, called the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act, would require that the state report on global warming impacts and economic opportunities; conduct an inventory of Pennsylvania's greenshouse gas emissions; and create a plan of action for the Department of Environmental Protection. On the other side of the state, Sierra Club just announced that it is initiating a campaign in Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh called "Cool City, Cool County." The goal is to get Pittsburgh and the county to take action to reduce their contributions to global warming, and to adhere to the limits set forth in the Kyoto Treaty. For more information on the campaign and how you can get involved, contact Rachel Martin at the Sierra Club in Pittsburgh. PennFuture has a statewide campaign called CoolPennsylvania, aimed at battling Pennsylvania's contributions to global warming at the state level. With nearly 150 endorsing organizations (and growing!) including houses of worship, businesses, and non-profits, CoolPennsylvania has already achieved one critical goal: passing Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard. Your participation is encouraged. You can join the campaign as an endorsing organization, or become one of the more than 1000 citizens across the state who has signed a petition to Governor Rendell to take action on global warming. To stay up to date on campaign actions and ways you can help, join our list-serve. Direct download: PFuture2006_GlobalWarmingActionPlanSeminar.mp3 Category: Global Warming -- posted at: 8:00 AM Comments[0] |
Mon, 27 February 2006 One of PennFuture�s priorities is addressing global warming here at home. To that end, we�re building the Cool Pennsylvania Coalition, a group of organizations of all stripes: for-profit businesses, non-profits, community organizations, and faith-based institutions. To date, there are 130 endorsers, and the number is growing daily. This diverse group all agrees on one thing: it�s time for Pennsylvania to take action to address the growing problem of global warming. The Cool Pennsylvania Coalition is calling for the State Legislature to pass the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act and for Governor Rendell to make Pennsylvania part of the Northeast Governors� Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Listen to Joy Bergey, PennFuture�s global warming outreach coordinator, interview four women, three of them business owners, who meet regularly in Philadelphia to discuss environmental issues facing us all, and how they�ve chosen to respond. Mary Ann Flaherty owns Farm Fresh Express, delivering locally grown farm products to households in southeast Pennsylvania. Deirdre Again runs her own landscape design business, using sustainable, earth-friendly methods. Sharon Kenny owns and operates Kenny�s Imprintables, and talks in this podcast about how the soy-based inks she uses are not only better for the environment than traditional inks, but are also cheaper and more effective. Andrea Kaldrovics works as a web designer in a Philadelphia hospital, and cares deeply about the earth. If you are interested in joining PennFuture's efforts to curb global warming, please contact us. You can also sign up for our Cool Pennsylvania Partners list serve. Follow this link to become an organizational endorser of the Cool Pennsylvania Coalition. PennFuture is hosting a FREE conference on March 25th in Coraopolis (a Pittsburgh suburb) entitled "Global Warming: An Activist's Primer." For more information and to register, visit our web site. Direct download: PFuture2006_LocalBusinessOnGlobalWarming.mp3 Category: Global Warming -- posted at: 7:00 AM Comments[0] |
Mon, 23 January 2006  The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a hearing on global warming on January 11, 2006 in Delaware County. Experts Dr. Adam Rose (Penn State University), Dr. Richard Alley (Penn State University), and Rev. Joy Bergey (Pennsylvania Interfaith Climate Change Campaign & PennFuture) were invited to provide testimony at the hearing. In this podcast, Joy Bergey shares a portion of her testimony and speaks to Dr. Alley and the House EREC Chair Rep. William Adolph (R-165). To see additional photos from the hearing and to read Joy's full testimony, click here.Direct download: PFuture2006_HouseGlobalWarmingHearing.mp3 Category: Global Warming -- posted at: 10:45 AM Comments[3] |
Wed, 14 December 2005 Hear live reports from the UN Global Warming Conference in Montreal, Canada. In this episode, Joy Bergey talks to London, England's Deputy Mayor W.D. Gavron about London's successful congestion fee management scheme; and State Representatives Greg Vitali (Pennsylvania, D-166) and James Marzilli (Massachusetts, D-23) about efforts at the state level to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Comments[1] |
Fri, 9 December 2005 Hear live reports from the UN Global Warming Conference in Montreal, Canada. In this episode, we hear a portion of U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman's (D-NM) unplanned address at the Conference. He discusses some legislative strategies in the U.S. Senate. Comments[1] |
Fri, 9 December 2005 Hear live reports from the UN Global Warming Conference in Montreal, Canada. In this episode, Joy Bergey speaks with NPR's "Living on Earth" host Steve Curwood about his impressions on the conference and U.S. involvement. She also attends a Youth Protest where members of the Sierra Youth Coalition focused on implementing Article 3.9 of the Kyoto Protocol, a section of the Protocol that focuses on future steps to be taken.Comments[0] |
Fri, 9 December 2005 Hear live reports from the UN Global Warming Conference in Montreal, Canada. In this episode, Joy Bergey speaks to several native people from througout the Arctic on December 6, 2005, Arctic Day at the conference. Comments[0] |
Fri, 9 December 2005 Hear live reports from the UN Global Warming Conference in Montreal, Canada. In this episode, Joy speaks with Joan Masterton, a member of the Presbyterian Church of Canada's and their representative to the Ecological Justice Program Committee of Kairos, an ecumenical group in Canada; and Elias Abramides, the Commissioner of the World Council of Churches from Buenos Ares, Argentina.Comments[0] |
Thu, 8 December 2005  Things are getting more intense here at the U.N. Summit on global warming. Although the conference started on November 28, only yesterday did heads of state and senior environmental ministers start arriving from around the world.
Paul Martin, Canada's prime minister, opened the plenary session in what was generally perceived as a strong speech. My Canadian colleagues, however, are quick to point out that Canada is lots of talk with not much action. Although Canada has ratified the Kyoto Treaty, there is concern among Canadians about achieving the goals they have committed to. For example, global warming emissions have increased 24 percent since 1990 (US emissions have increased 14 percent during that time.) Canadian citizens have mentioned to me repeatedly in the past week that U.S. voluntary initiatives, especially from the business community, e.g., green buildings, are far ahead of Canadian initiatives.
Please know, friends in the States, that Canadians and Europeans are highly aware that the Bush Administration does not speak for millions of Americans. Our friends abroad appreciate every single thing we do to pressure our government, both at the federal and state levels, to act now on global warming.
Some background on the Treaty process: This Conference of the Parties of the Kyoto Treaty or "COP," as its called, is the eleventh such international meeting since the Kyoto Treaty was written in 1997 (hence, this particular conference is referred to as COP11.) This is the first "Meeting of the Parties" since the Kyoto Treaty went into effect in February. So, this conference is actually called COP11/MOP1. How warm and cuddly is that?
Two primary goals of COP11/MOP1 are to work out the nuts and bolts of the Kyoto Treaty now that it is international law, and to determine what will come next, when the treaty expires in 2012 (yes, they think about these things seven years in advance.)
There was news on the issue of nuclear power. Canada is a leading global exporter of uranium, the fuel for nuclear plants. Thus, Canada has been lobbying hard that the sale of uranium to developing countries should qualify for the treaty's clean development mechanisms (CDMs.) Briefly, CDMs allow developed countries to get credit towards lowering their own emissions when they provide financial backing to "clean," i.e., low carbon-emitting, energy projects in developing countries. (email me for more details at joybergey@earthlink.net). The conference apparently ruled yesterday that developed countries like Canada can NOT get credit for selling uranium to developing countries. This will no doubt slow the tide of new nukes around the world, although I don't have the expertise to say how much.
Category: Global Warming -- posted at: 11:03 AM Comments[0] |
Wed, 7 December 2005 Evening of December 7, Montreal
I'm learning so much about the impact of global warming on the, well, globe, during this conference.
The Inuit are an arctic tribe of 155,000 people living in Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. (These are the people we used to call "Eskimos.") The Arctic and its indigenous people are already suffering greatly because of the well-documented melting of the snowcaps and land ice. Winter freeze-ups now are delayed in some places until December instead of October, and spring thaws start in March instead of May. Tundra lands that have been frozen for eons are melting. The indigenous peoples' lifestyles are already changing as a result of this. (hear more details in my podcast, featuring interviews with Inuits.)
Today in Montreal, the Inuit Circumpolar Conference filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Their claim charges that the US is responsible for violating Inuit human rights as a direct result of the huge American contribution to global warming. My understanding is that this claim is precedent setting. The Inuit stress that this is not about money -- they are not seeking financial damages -- but it is about human justice.
Category: Global Warming -- posted at: 8:58 PM Comments[0] |
Sun, 4 December 2005 Hear live reports from the UN Global Warming Conference in Montreal, Canada. This episode includes discussions with several people attending the conference including Duane Camp from the Ponka Nation in Oklahoma; Sheila Watt-Cloutier of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference; and Richard Powell from Scranton, PA whose work has focused on the Inuit peoples' communities.Comments[7] |
