Progressive Democrat Issue 69: ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION: Global Warming Followup

A funny thing happened to a random, off the cuff diary I wrote. It went platinum...or the blog equivalent. Front paged on MLW and for awhile TOP of the Recommended list on dKos and recommended on Booman. Now, based on lots that I have thought about before and based on the flood of comments I received in the above diary, I am writing this follow up with the goal of giving you the information and the power to DO something about Global Warming.

The above mentioned diary was neither my first nor best global warming diary. I have written about America's ability to face global warming and to grow stronger from our response if we had real leadership (if only President Gore had been allowed to take office!). That one was featured in last week's newsletter and was well received. I have written about the Denial Lobby, which is fighting to censor global warming scientists, and that diary is where I first brought up Jim Hansen and his recent refusal to bow down to Bush's thugs. In this newsletter, some time back, I have discussed the critical role forests play in global and regional climate, environmental stability and economic development as well as what we each can do to help preserve and restore our forests. Within these diaries you can find ample information on global warming including references to scientific evidence, as well as many actions that you can take as an individual to help preserve a future for our children.

What I want to do here is to suggest some immediate follow up actions to the 60 Minute interview that can help boost its impact. We all know how important it is to make our presence heard and that timing is a key factor in being heard. A flood of activity now will make a point to the media and to our government (not counting the Halliburton Republicans who don't give a shit) and to America in general.

First off, contact 60 Minutes and tell them what you thought of the Hansen interview. POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT!

ADDRESS:
60 Minutes
524 West 57th St.
New York, NY 10019

EMAIL: 60m@cbsnews.com


Second, contact Jim Hansen himself and send him fan mail:

James E. Hansen
Director, Goddard Institute for Space Studies
jhansen@giss.nasa.gov

Encourage this man! He is a hero for standing up to Bush when many Democratic politicians have failed to do so. Scientists don't usually get fan mail, though Joy tells me Hansen HAS been interviewed in Rolling Stone...so maybe he even has Scientific Groupies, for all I know.

Contact the national and your local media and tell them what you saw on 60 Minutes and ask them why they aren't reporting on this. Tell them your view on global warming and on the scientific censorship of science in America. I should note that the NY Times DID cover this about a month ago (?). But otherwise, the media needs to hear a FLOOD of letters from us demanding more on this.

Contact your Congress Critters and tell them what you heard on 60 Minutes about global warming and censorship of science in America and DEMAND action. Demand an immediate investigation into censorship of science and punishment of whoever is responsible for it. Demand immediate action on global warming by the American government. Demand a new energy plan for America that is REALLY forward thinking. You can use my earlier diary for ammunition. Be angry and forceful. Our government is FAILING us and they need to hear from us.

I also want to add that Congressman Brad Miller (NC-13) contacted me after he saw my diary on Daily Kos and he is on this. Please check out his diary asking for input directly from scientists who have experienced intimidation and censorship.

Join the Union of Concerned Scientists in their lobbying of Exxon's new management to get them to stop their opposition to climate science and to alternative energy policies. Express your anger and your new found eagerness to join the national boycott of Exxon/Mobil. While you are at it, join the Union of Concerned Scientists. They are at the forefront of defending science, defending our environment and opposing war. Let there be a flood of new members to UCS in response to this issue.

And, while I am plugging groups, join the National Coalition Against Censorship. They didn't hire me when I interviewed for the position, but I am still happy that they now have started a Censorship of Science project that will address issues like this. Again, let's get them a flood of new members in response to this issue.

Finally, keep in mind the recent Fundamentalist Christian movement to face global warming. These are some right wingers who are catching on. So contact YOUR church, synagogue, mosque, meditation group, atheist group, etc. and ask them what THEY are doing to demand action on global warming. Fundamentalist right wing Christians are taking out advertising time to push for action on global warming. If nothing else, each of our religious and secular groups should be discussing this and lobbying for action locally and nationally. You are part of a community. Bring this issue to YOUR community.

A final word on what to do as an individual to get started. As I mentioned, I go over many actions HERE and HERE. But as a start for the very beginners, two important things you can do is switch all your light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs and to use nothing but recycled paper products. Compact fluorescents are expensive, but they save you lots of money in the long run because they will cut your energy bills by (if my experience is typical) about a third and they last for far longer than a regular bulb. Recycled paper products are never as good as the BEST products made from vrigin paper, but they are generally just as good as the average virgin paper products and they can help preserve the forests that are our buffer against gloabal warming. Start there. It will help.