Go West Young Man: And See People Walking The Walk On Global Warming.

Raising awareness on the issue of Global Warming is great, but I, and others, have grown increasingly anxious to see some action.

Kudos to the elected officials in the Western States (and to Governor Bill Richardson especially) for getting their act together and working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

I had the chance to listen in on the conference call announcing this initiative and what struck me was that these leaders are seeing the impact of global warming firsthand. They see the snow melt, the forest fires, they are living through the changes and they are doing something about it.

I often write about the Global Warming Denying Groups, groups that have been tragically effective on a national level by buying false science. However, what the Western Climate Initiative proves is that misleading the public is not so easy when the public can see proof you're lying with their own eyes.

A couple more things struck me about the call. Not only was it Western States, but it's two provinces of Canada and, if I understood a comment correctly, soon a province from Mexico was going to join the program.

Their goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 15% over 2005 levels. Is this enough when some scientists think the cuts need to be in the 40-60% range? No. But it's a strong start.

The other thing that impressed me was the solid work of Bill Richardson here. Now that green is rapidly becoming a favorite color of many politicians, seeing how much work Richardson has actually done on the issue was refreshing. I applaud our leaders in DC for having committee meetings and so forth and setting meetings to have a meeting, but time is running short.

All politics is local" Barney Frank used to tell me when I was growing up. And it is rapidly becoming clear to me that action, real action, on Global Warming will be too.

To learn more about the Western Climate Initiative, visit their web site here.

Comments

[peonyharp]

Dear James:

Thank you, thank you! The West is still a bellweather region for change (of course, I'm a little prejudiced as I'm a native Californian), and this group gives me hope that Mr. Gore's message is getting through to people. Praise to Mr. Richardson and our Canadian neighbors also.

Please note (it's the editor in me): Your link isn't working -- is it perhaps because "western" is misspelled? I was able to visit the WCI site by hand-typing in the address.

[belikejeanvaljean]

Thank you for mentioning Bill Richardson. He has been out in front on environmental issues for years, and, in fact, the first piece of legislation he passed as a Congressman years ago was to protect and create a new wilderness area in northwestern New Mexico. He doesn't just talk the talk, he lives it.

Bill Richardson hasn't received the media attention of the top two Democratic candidates. He is well worth taking a look at, however, for anyone serious about environmental issues.