global warming & energy - information
- Overview
- Events
- Actions & Solutions
- Information:
- Global Warming: Big Picture, State, Economics, Kids, Handouts, Books
- Renewable
Energy
- Links
cLIMATE CHANGE -- the big picture
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The New Yorker magazine published a great article on the complexities and solutions to global warming in its Feb 25 2008 issue. Read it HERE.
- There are many myths and much missinformation. Get the facts straight -- an unbiased web site written by scientists: REAL CLIMATE
- Read a December 2007 article detailing new research about climate change and landbird extinctions. Depressing but worth the read. More >>
- A Birdwatcher's Guide to Global Warming, developed by the American Bird Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation is available at ABC's Climate Change and Birds web page. In addition to the main report, there is a supplement for each of the lower 48 U.S. States. More >>
- The National Audubon Society has web information on the effects of global warming on birds and other wildlife and how you can be part of the solution. More >>
- If you are looking for information on federal legislation or other SOLUTIONS see Actions & Solutions
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clIMATE CHANGE At the state level
- Governor Schweitzer appointed the Climate Change Advisory Committee two years ago to determine what Montana could and should do to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of global warming. In November, 2007 the report was completed!
Download a 2 page summary developed by Montana Conservation Voters HERE.
See the DEQ's CCAC website for more details.
Download the FINAL REPORT (609 KB) and the APPENDIX (1.8 MB).
- On Earth Day 2008, The Montana Department of Environmental Quality launched a new web site: Climate Change in Montana.
- Governor Schweitzer has joined the Western Climate Initiative and has announced his 20x10 Initiative -– 20x10 asks state agencies to reduce their energy consumption by 20% by the year 2010. A great step forward.
- The Missoulian newspaper recently ran an article on Global Warming and Glacier National Park - Melting into History.
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The economics of addressing global warming
There is a great deal of concern (and even a bit of fear-mongering) around the economics of addressing climate change. We at Montana Audubon recognize the opportunities for new green jobs, for the benefits associated with renewable energy, and we are also deeply concerned about the cost of inaction.
The following are informative pieces that address economic issues:
- Read University of Montana economic professor Tom Power's recent commentaries for Montana Public Radio:
Cap and Trade: A “Socialist Power Grab”? -- June 2008.
Drilling Our Way to Lower Gasoline Prices? --May 2008.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas: Too Costly and Too Disruptive? -- April 2008.
- Economists Tom Power and Richard Barrett's opinion piece on Climate legislation and the Chamber of Commerce for the Missoulian Newspaper can be found HERE >>.
- The Environmental Defense Fund has a great web page addessing the Cost of Cutting Carbon. Link to this HERE >>. They also have an extensive new report, and you can download What Will it Cost >> (4.8 MB pdf) .
- We are aware of two additional comprehensive and credible climate change and economic reports. The first is what is known as the Stern Review (completed in 2006 for the British government). Download the Executive Summary or see the Stern website.
- The second is known as the McKinsey Report and looks specifically at the U.S. Download the Executive Summary: Reducing Green house Gas Emissions: how much at what cost? or see the McKinsey website. The National Resource Defense Council also has a short summary of this report which you can download HERE >>.
- Finally, the National Wildlife Federation has a fact sheet on the economics of the current proposed federal climate legislation. Download this HERE >>
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Global Warming Resources for TEACHERS & KIDS
- EPA's Climate Change, Wildlife, and Wildlands Toolkit: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the National Park Service and with input from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, developed a kit for use when talking with the public about how climate change is affecting our nation's wildlife and public lands.
- Global Warming Materials for Educators from the Union of Concerned Scientists: A list of Global Warming materials for educators produced by the Union of Concerned Scientists' (UCS) Global Environment Program.
- Teachers' Guide to High Quality Educational Materials on Climate Change and Global Warming: This guide points K-12 educators to the best sites for teaching about climate change: several that offer first rate background material, and othersthat include detailed lesson plans and experiments.
- Portal Web Site: Dedicated to Global Warming Education, Climate Change Education,
Science, Solutions -- Resources Directory For Students, Teachers, Families, Researchers, Everyone.
- Global Warming Teaching Unit: This unit includes classroom activities to help students understand global warming and its possible effects on human beings.
- The Story of Stuff: A little off-topic, but relevant to reducing our carbon footprint with all our stuff.
- BOOKS for KIDS:
- Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming. Laurie David, Cambria Gordon. 2007.
- Why Are the Ice Caps Melting?: The Dangers of Global Warming (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2). Anne Rockwell. 2006. Great for younger kids.
- This Is My Planet: The Kids' Guide to Global Warming. Jan Thornhill; Upper elementary and middle school, 2007.
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- Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming. Laurie David, Cambria Gordon. 2007.
Workhop handouts
- The following handouts were created by MT Audubon:
- Handouts from the National Audubon Society:
books For Adults
- Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature and Climate Change. Elizabeth Kolbert. 2006.
- The Weather Makers: How Man is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth. Tim Flannery. 2005.
- The Carbon Diet: A 30 Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds. David Gershon. 2006.