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Corzine on Carbon Caps, Global Warming

by: Jay Lassiter

Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 05:02:43 PM EDT

(promoted by jay - promoted by Jay Lassiter)

For a few fleeting minutes, I got to be the belle of Trenton and of Albany! Transcontinentally! For a good cause!!

Governor Corzine, N.Y. Gov. Spitzer and the Premier of British Columbia Gordon Campbell held a conference call from Portugal with the English-speaking press (I guess that's us!) to discuss the formation of the International Carbon Action Partnership. The event's host was the Portugese Prime Minister Jose Socrates.

This new alliance -- a broad coalition of US states, Canadian provinces, European countries plus New Zealand -- seeks to provide an "international forum in which governments adopting mandatory greenhouse emissions cap and trade systems will share experiences and best practices on the design of emission trading (strategies.)

Governor Corzine has walked the walk on the environment and states like ours have taken a real ledership roll as signatory to the regional greenhouse gas initiative (REGGI for short) along with NY and eight other ("Blue") states in the northeast.

A Canadian journalist pressed the pols about a regional plan, as opposed to a global effort. A Jersey writer echoed the sentiment, calling the whole initiative mere symbolism in light of the anemic repsonse from Washington. Plus if places like, say, China or Missouri aren't bound by the tough standards, isn't it kinda like pissing in the wind?

"We are not tilting at windmills," Corzine chided. "We're setting the prototype for the nation!"

Corzine went on:

My background as the former head of Goldman Sachs has given me a unique perspective on many market-based solutions to important public problems, such as environmental degradation. But it is my life in public service that has helped me understand that it will take the courage and commitment of a core set of leaders, like those of us gathered today (in Lisbon), to drive implementation of smart, feasible, and measurable policies needed to address an issue as urgent as global warming."

That said, this is an openthread to share ideas and green living tips. Other than not flying to Portugal, what can you do to reduce the amound of carbon that ends up in the atmosphere? This thread could save the planet, so what are you waiting for?

Jay Lassiter :: Corzine on Carbon Caps, Global Warming

Tags: International Carbon Action Partnership, Lisbon, Jon Corzine, Eliot Spitzer, Gordon Campbell, greenhouse gas, REGGI, (All Tags)

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Corzine on Carbon Caps, Global Warming | 6 comments

i $ave in the laundry room (0.00 / 0)

always wash on cold, always hang the clothes. i may look like Sanford and Son a little bit, but i save so much money and carbon by weaning off the dryer.
i have a solar powered hot water system, but if i use my water sparingly, i can save the credits. Plus my water bill is lower.

Jay_Lass on Twitter.

by: Jay Lassiter @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 16:14:39 PM CDT

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I think that (0.00 / 0)

reducing energy usage will generally pay off regardless of global warming. So it's not a matter of pissing in the wind, it's getting a head start.

Personally, there is the Clean Power Choice program, and of course the compact flourescent bulbs. These too are very small in the face of the problem.

I have to think of a witty signature about Frank LoBiondo

by: Hopeful @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 17:14:15 PM CDT

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Call Lautenberg (0.00 / 0)

Gov. Corzine's sentiment is dead on -- New Jersey can be the prototype for the nation. But unless Washington follows our lead, it will be a harder fight.

Right now, in Washington, Sen. Frank Lautenberg is the key vote in deciding how strong federal global warming legislation will be.

New Jersey's law follows the scientific consensus for reductions -- at least 15% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.

The current legislation under consideration doesn't come close.

Want to do one thing?
Call Sen. Lautenberg right now (it's okay to leave a message) and tell him to be strong on global warming and walk away from any bill that's weaker than New Jersey's law.

202-224-3121.

Tell your friends; then go unplug your DVD player.

by: mdom @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 18:20:10 PM CDT

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unplug the DVD player? (0.00 / 0)

please tell us why?

Jay_Lass on Twitter.

by: Jay Lassiter @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 19:11:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

energy vampires (0.00 / 0)

http://news.bbc.co.u...

"Leaving mobile phone chargers plugged in, appliances on standby and lights on are among their most common failings."

by: zora01 @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 20:10:00 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

other things to consider (0.00 / 0)

I now actually think about how much I cook, or use the microwave or toaster, or even my hairdryer. Since Live Earth I actually stop and consider - Can I just get by with a salad, or a breakfast of fruit? I never really thought of cooking as one of those things that will affect the planet but toasters and microwaves use a lot of energy. Not using them every day is a start.

When I do buy meat, I make sure it is grass-fed. Even local grass fed meat is better for the planet than vegetables grown somewhere else with petrochemicals and shipped across country in a truck, which uses even more fuel. You should be thinking about "the Oil We Eat":
http://www.harpers.o...
(This article stays with you and haunts you long after you read it.)

In NJ there are still places to buy locally grown meat and even in crowded Bergen County, there are still farms to get fresh eggs.

If you are working on your house, consider passive solar, geothermal or radiant floor heating. There are also heat exchanger devices that warm cold air on the way in the house while exhausting stale air to keep the air quality and humidity comfortable while avoiding a loss of heat energy. Small instant hot water heaters avoid the wasteful old fashioned hot water heater. The water is heated instantly just when and where you need it- instead of having to keep a big heater full of hot water on standby and piping hot water all around. If you have an old-fashioned heater, set it to the lowest heat setting you need.

Plant deciduous trees on the South of your house and Evergreens on the north or prevailing winter wind side. The shade keeps the house cool in the summer while the fall loss of leaves lets the sun heat the house in winter. The evergreens protect the house from the bitter winter winds and add color.
Plant trees everywhere. It is amazing the types that grow here in NJ. We are very lucky - there are so many types that grow well here and are beautiful. Check out the arborday website http://www.arborday....

There are also booklets available from nursey growers in NJ that help explain what trees to plant in NJ. Of course Rutgers is a great resource as well.
http://njaes.rutgers...

I love just searching for nice trees to use in my site designs. Just put in your zip code in the arborday site and it comes up with all the trees that grow well where you live. You can grow fruit in your own backyard, or tree nuts at the same time you are getting shade and cooling - reducing your carbon footprint - and getting rid of some carbon dioxide.
Kind of a delicious way to be green!

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

by: carolh @ Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 18:26:41 PM CDT

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