Climate Capsule Week of January 5

Highlight of the Week
Transition Team Begins Work On Recovery Plan; Education Key Area For Investment

This week, president-elect Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats begin work on a two-year economic recovery package.

The president-elect has pledged to create three million jobs over the next two years. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan would “put people back to work today and reduce our dependence on foreign oil tomorrow.”

Obama’s plan includes spending and tax incentives to double production of renewable energy; increase government building efficiency; build and renovate roads, bridges and schools; and modernize health care technology, The New York Times reports.

“The fate of our economy and environment hinge on how quickly we move to repower America with clean energy solutions,” said Larry Schweiger, President & CEO, National Wildlife Federation.

“Clean energy investments create jobs, revitalize our economy, and reduce the pollution that is accelerating global warming. The investments in clean energy that forestall a climate meltdown will aid our recovery from the global financial meltdown.”

A key area for investment is in education and training, because educational services generate 23.1 jobs per $1 million in spending, nearly five times more jobs created than oil and natural gas sector spending.

To learn more about how we can jumpstart our economy by protecting the environment, join in this Thursday’s telephone press conference at 11:00 a.m.

On January 8, 2009, dial 1-800-791-2345, pin 16755 # to hear from a panel of experts that will include Heather White, Director of Education Advocacy at NWF, and Robert Pollin, Department of Economics and Political Economy Research Institute,University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Contact: Aileo Weinmann, National Wildlife Federation, 202-797-6801, weinmanna@nwf.org

Northeastern States Hold Second Carbon Auction

Ten northeastern and mid-atlantic states recently held the second U.S. greenhouse gas emissions auction, a project of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI is the first mandatory, market-based CO₂ emissions reduction program in the country.

Permits for the right to emit carbon dioxide from power plants sold for the clearing price of $3.38 per ton, Reuters reports.

The amount raised nearly $107 million for states which have formed a cap-and-invest market on the emissions. Participating states are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The states hope to reduce emissions from the power sector 10 percent by 2018. The next auction will take place on March 18 of this year.

Quote:

“To put people back to work today and reduce our dependence on foreign oil tomorrow, we will double renewable energy production and renovate public buildings to make them more energy efficient.”

—President-elect Barack Obama, from his weekly address.

Economic Message of the Week
Hunters, Anglers More Likely To Buy from Companies That Support Conservation

A majority of hunters and anglers say they are more likely to buy products from companies if they support conservation efforts, according to a recent survey.

In November 2008, Southwick Associates surveyed hunters and in another poll surveyed anglers. Respondents were asked if they would be influenced to buy products depending on whether the company supported conservation of wildlife and fisheries resources.  

According to the results, 67 percent of hunters and 52 percent of anglers stated that they are “much more likely” to buy products from conservation-supporting companies.” Moreover, 22 percent of hunters and 29 percent of anglers describe themselves as “slightly more likely” to buy products from such companies.

Only 7 percent of hunters and 14 percent of anglers stated that companies’ support for conservation did not influence their purchasing decisions.

Reinsurance Company Links Global Warming To Billions In Natural Disaster Losses

Munich Re Group, the world’s largest reinsurer, released figures for 2008 and identified global warming as the principal factor behind $200 billion in losses last year.

Throughout the world, more than 220,000 people died as a result of natural catastrophes last year, a number aided by a large number of tropical hurricanes and the devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province, China.

“[W]hen temperatures increase…The weather machine runs into top gear, bringing more intense severe weather events with corresponding effects in terms of losses,” said Dr. Peter Hoppe, head of Geo Risks Research at Munich Re.

In terms of insured losses, Hurricane Ike was the most expensive individual event last year, with insured losses estimated at $15 billion, a number which excludes claims covered under the National Flood Insurance Program.  Overall cost of this disaster fell around $30 billion, Reuters reports.

Happening This Week

Wednesday, January 7: Senate Environment Committee Hearing on “Investing in Green Technology”, 10 AM,  SD-406 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Climate Change and the Road to Copenhagen, Industrial Competitiveness and Engaging Developing Countries - Views from Overseas, 3:30-5 PM, 2325 Rayburn House Office Building

Thursday, January 8: Senate Energy Committee Hearing on Energy Security, 9:30 AM, Dirksen 366

Senate Environment Committee Hearing “Oversight Hearing on the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Recent Major Coal Ash Spill”, 10 AM, 406 Dirksen

“Repower America with Green Education, Green Jobs, Green Schools”, telephone press conference, dial 1-800-791-2345 pin 16755 #; From 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.. Experts will discuss recommendations for economic stimulus investments in education and training, one of the best investments for short-term job creation and sustained, across-the-board economic growth.