Americans United for Change has just launched a campaign called Pope or Kochs. This progressive advocacy group describes what is happening on the climate front this way: 69% of Americans call global warming a serious problem, 97% of scientists say that global warming is man-made and 100 percent of popes declared climate change “one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day.”
Pope or Kochs
Published on Jun 28, 2015
Standard YouTube Licence
According to a recent Pew poll, 68 percent of Americans believe there is solid evidence of global warming. 46 percent say that global warming is a serious threat. The American public is markedly divided on rigid ideological grounds regarding the climate issue. 92 percent of Democrats say global warming is happening and 76 percent attribute the rise to human activity. On the other hand, only 38 percent of right wing Republicans believe there is sound evidence of global warming.
Koch Brothers – the evil
The campaign points out that the Koch brothers are bankrolling the anti-Pope movement. Brad Woodhouse is the President of Americans United for Change:
The promise of $900 million in campaign support from the Koch brothers has led to a race to the bottom between GOP presidential hopefuls over who believes less in climate science, some even going so far as to publicly dis the Pope.
The Republicans eyeing the White House may all sing from the same climate-skeptic hymnal, but the worsening consequences of climate change are not something that have to be taken on faith……It’s happening right before our eyes, whether it’s rising average temperatures and sea levels, out-of-control forest fires stemming from prolonged droughts, or more frequent and more intense storms and tornadoes. It’s no wonder 70 percent of voters want their representatives to stop fiddling as Rome burns.
The Koch Brothers represent all that is evil in the climate denial camp. They are the largest US leaseholder in the Alberta Tarsands. They’ve provided funding to Canada’s pro-oil Fraser Institute reports David Suzuki in an article published in April 2015, Koch Brothers Continue to Oil the Machine of Climate Change Denial. They are also behind many anti-transit initiatives, campaigns to discredit climate science and they oppose clean energy.
Pope Francis – the good
Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day. (Pope Francis)
The Pope’s call for environmental consciousness is seen as a “good thing” in the world climate movement. A recent post in BoomerWarrior lists the Pope’s Top Five Climate Messages:
- Humans are the problem.
- The inaction by world leaders is indefensible.
- Fossil fuels must be eliminated.
- There is an urgency for climate action.
- Climate change is especially detrimental to the poor.
Pope Francis is on a climate mission. He single-handedly is providing a significant boost to the climate movement heading into the Paris2015 Summit. Something fundamental has shifted in political and societal attitudes around climate change. And it’s more than a breath of fresh air – it’s more of a burst of energy. It’s palpable. It could be groundbreaking!
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Rolly Montpellier is the Founder and Managing Editor of BoomerWarrior.Org. He’s a Climate Reality leader, a blogger and a Climate Activist. Rolly has been published widely – Toronto Star, The Hill Times, Kingston Whig, the PEN, UnpublishedOttawa, Climate Change Guide, World Daily, Examiner, The Canadian, 350Ottawa, ClimateMama, MyEarth360, GreenDivas, The Elephant, Countercurrents, County Weekly News.
He’s a member of Climate Reality Canada, Citizens’ Climate Lobby (Ottawa) and 350.Org (Ottawa). You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.
The Koch Bros and the Fossil Fuel Industry, have spent Millions on Legislators, Regulators, and the Judicial System, to continue Poisoning Our Air, Water, and Soil.
The Global Warming, Sea Level Rising, Fossil Fuel Energy Policies, that Globally emitted 40 – 50 Billion Toxic Tons of Carbon, of that the United States emitted 6.8 Billion Toxic Tons, and leads the charge to Frack the Globe.
Right Now we have 404 parts per million of carbon in our atmosphere.
The Jet Stream of Old, is Gone.
There is No Carbon Budget, each Toxic Ton we emit, is Warming the Planet.
The past Five years have Global record temps steadily increasing.
Northwest Pacific Ocean, 3 – 6 degrees Warmer than Normal,
“At just 0.80C of Global Warming, the World is Already experiencing Climate Change.
West Antarctica and Greenland Calving.
Arctic 75% gone and melting, with severe consequence for the Future Stability of the Permafrost, and Frozen Methane Stores, as Ice Sheets retreat the Earrths Reflective Power Decreases.
In reality 2C is the boundary between Dangerous and Very Dangerous Climate Change and a 1C is warmer than any Human Civilization has Experienced” David Spratt
In the 1850s parts per million of carbon was 260 – 280.
Whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions, Starfish, Die Off along the Western Coast of the Pacific Ocean over the past year . Ocean Acidity levels climbing, Mercury 3x more than the start of the Century.
“Ice sheets contain enormous quantities of frozen water. If the Greenland Ice Sheet melted, scientists estimate that sea level would rise about 6 meters (20 feet). If the Antarctic Ice Sheet melted, sea level would rise by about 60 meters (200 feet).” National Snow and Ice Data Center.
When will Sea Level Rise to 220 – 300 Feet ? 2020 ? 2025 ? ?
California emitted 459 Toxic Tons of Carbon Dioxide in 2014.
Gov Browns call to reduce this to 1990 levels so we can continue to emit over 400 million Toxic Tons a year, will not help us stop or slow down Global Warming and Sea Levels Rising.
“Updates to the 2020 Limit.
Calculation of the original 1990 limit approved in 2007 was revised using the scientifically updated IPCC 2007 fourth assessment report (AR4) global warming potentials, to 431 MMTCO2e. Thus the 2020 GHG emissions limit established in response to AB 32 is now slightly higher than the 427 MMTCO2e in the initial Scoping Plan.” Ca. Gov. Data
We Need 100% Renewable Energies .
No Twin Tunnels, Save the Delta, this Fragile Eco-System is a measurement of our commitment to bring in Sustainable Energy Policies.
Cap and Trade Phased Out.
75% Airport reduction in Carbon emissions.
Close Diablo (All) Nuclear Power Plant, and relocate All Nuclear Waste above 2,000 feet.
Ban Fracking
Close All Golf Courses, Unless on Gray Water
Close all 108, for profit, Water Bottling Plants in California
Implement a California Residential and Commercial Feed in Tariff.
California Residential Feed in Tariff would allow homeowners to sell their Renewable Energy to the utility, protecting our communities from Poison Water, Grid Failures, Natural Disasters, Toxic Natural Gas and Oil Fracking.
Our California Residential Feed-In Tariff should start out at 16 cents per kilowatt hour, 5 cents per kilowatt hour to the Utility for use of the Grid, 11 cents per kilowatt hour going to the Home Owner.
A California Commercial FiT in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, an Sacramento Ca. are operating NOW, paying the Business Person 17 cents cents per kilowatt hour.
Sign and Share this petition for a California Residential Feed in Tariff.
http://signon.org/sign/let-california-home-owners
Good expose Daniel. Thanks for sharing on this blog. I retain the following phrases:
– In reality 2C is the boundary between Dangerous and Very Dangerous Climate Change
– In the 1850s parts per million of carbon was 260 – 280
– Right Now we have 404 parts per million of carbon in our atmosphere
– We Need 100% Renewable Energies
Daniel – I’ve signed the petition you enclosed.
Thanks for your comments. Sorry I took so long to response. July is a very busy time with family at the lake.
The problem with the people like Cochs is the do not care what is going to happen. They think they can get it now or never. Most of the people are not aware what the next generation will face. If they cannot feel it how can you make them feel the heat.
Rajpal – many are aware of the future impact of climate change but prefer to look the other way. As the level of awareness rises to an extreme level, people will be screaming for action.
Thank you for your comments.
Well, depends on what people focus on as to who wins (if that is the right term), Pope or Koch brothers? Do we want to be stuck in the ‘past,’ or do we want a better ‘future.’
I visited a transport museum today …bicycles to motorbikes, to motor vehicles over their lifetime of invention and development. It was an interesting comparison as to how people jump to new technologies. Initial costs are always high (the first cars were three years annual income for average working people), so only the wealthy can invest to begin any change. That is true today too. Solar powered electric vehicles will come. They will be initially be out of reach financially for average people, but once the benefits enable people to live better lives, everyone will want to switch. Production will ramp up, costs will come down and old technologies will die. The very first motor vehicles were called (and looked like) ‘Horseless Carriages.’ The first manufacturers were trying to make the new automobile, look and feel familiar. But this was a mistake as we now look for aerodynamic ways for more efficiency. The same thing with electric vehicles…we must look for something new, strong, and lightweight. Composite materials made with Graphine look to be the answer to that – perhaps coupled with 3-D printer production ( no rust, no joints to deteriorate, and a way to recycle our plastic excess). Super Capacitors will extend battery life and make long journeys not only possible between charges, but extremely energy efficient with cheap running costs. No-one will want messy, expensive fossil fuels or the antiquated sluggish vehicles they power.
The problem with the Koch brothers is that they are fighting ‘change’ and that usually has only one outcome – ‘failure.’ The Pope, on the other hand, is embracing change and encouraging it as the only solution. His focus is clearly a winning one! History is littered with industry leaders who didn’t move with their customer’s wants!
Colette – apologies for not seeing this sooner. July is an exceptionally busy month with family at the lake. As much as I want to keep pushing for action on climate change, sometimes one needs to just take a hiatus from it all.
As usual, I do appreciate your enlightened comments.