Engage the 2008 Presidential Candidates

What You Can Do n(from the Union of Concerned Scientists website)

Over the next year, presidential candidates will be crisscrossing the country trying to gain public support. The 2008 presidential election presents an important opportunity to ask the candidates questions about issues that affect our health, safety, and environment. This is your chance to educate and engage the candidates and other voters on the issues you care about most!
There are many ways to express your views. You can attend candidate events, call local campaign offices, submit questions on the candidates' websites, write letters to the editor of your local newspaper. We encourage you to engage the candidates and demand answers.
To help you get started, here are sample questions for the candidates:
Global Warming: We're already feeling the effects of global warming. Scientists tell us that we can avoid much more dangerous levels of warming by reducing U.S. heat-trapping emissions 15 to 20 percent by 2020 and at least 80 percent by 2050. What's your plan to meet these targets? More...
Nuclear Weapons: As president, would you re-affirm that it is the policy of the United States to work with other nations toward the elimination of all nuclear weapons? More...
Political Interference in Science: What will you do to assure the independence and integrity of federal advisory committees, protect federal scientists from political interference with their work, and to stop the censorship and suppression of their research results? More...
Food and Farming: As president, what measures would you take to encourage modern, sustainable forms of agriculture that promote better human health and a cleaner environment? More...
Renewable Energy: To reduce our global warming pollution, would you support legislation to dramatically increase our use of renewable energy sources—like the sun and wind—to at least 15 percent? More...
Vehicle Fuel Economy: According to the National Academy of Sciences, the technology already exists to make today's automobiles average 40 miles per gallon without sacrificing choices in size, performance, or safety. Where do you stand on the Senate's compromise proposal to make America's passenger vehicle fleet average 35 miles per gallon by 2020? More...
Your questions will be most effective if you make them personal. Use your own words and tie the issue to your personal expertise or experience, or to the community you live in. Click HERE for more info.

Students from 300+ colleges & universities join forces for the environment

Global Warming: Power Shift 2007
This weekend, almost 6,000 students from across the country converged on Washington, D.C. for the first-ever national youth climate summit. The summit built on successful student efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of over 300 colleges and universities, coalescing local movements into one vision for the future, which includes 80 percent reductions in carbon emissions by 2050, the creation of 5 million new green jobs and investment in clean energy solutions, not new coal plants.

Be inspired by our future - LEARN MORE!

TAKE ACTION: Please ask Senators Hatch and Bennett To Strengthen the New Climate Bill

Over the last year, Union of Concerned Scientists supporters across the country have sent thousands of letters to state and federal lawmakers urging them to reduce global warming pollution. While we’ve laid important groundwork and celebrated some concrete victories at the state and regional level—the United States still needs national comprehensive climate legislation.

Soon, Congress will be consumed with 2008 presidential election activity. We need them to take action now on a strong policy that helps prevent dangerous warming. We have a small window of opportunity—and we must act now.

Last week, Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and John Warner (R-VA) introduced America’s Climate Security Act (S. 2191). The bill’s bi-partisan support and strong framework for reducing global warming pollution will help build momentum for real congressional action. However, the Senate must act to strengthen a few elements of the bill. Please urge your senators to ensure that the bill helps avoid the worst effects of global warming.

Sincerely,
Kate Abend, National Field Organizer, UCS Climate Program

CLICK on link below to TAKE ACTION.

Coal Defeated in Monumental Victory!

In a monumental victory last Thursday, the Kansas Department of Health rejected a permit to build two 700-megawatt coal plants near Holcomb, Kansas due to global warming emissions. Roderick L. Bremby, Secretary of the department stated that "it would be irresponsible to ignore emerging information about the contribution of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to climate change and the potential harm to our environment and health if we do nothing." He also cited the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year in Massachusetts vs. EPA, in which the court found that the EPA could regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant under the Clean Air Act.

Thanks in large part to the Sierra Club's efforts to rally public support and file two lawsuits against the project, this is a huge success for Kansas and the entire nation. But the events in Kansas are only the beginning of a growing movement against coal and other dirty forms of energy production. Ranchers, farmers, teachers and countless other Americans are taking up the cause throughout the country, calling for clean, renewable energy sources in their states.

Learn more about the hazards of coal, and take action to urge your Senators and Representative to pass forward-thinking energy legislation this fall that will reduce our dependence on dirty fossil fuels.

Flip the Switch

Read This: Our Most Important Story This Year
Sure, 2007 still has a ways to go, but we've already reached a critical moment in what newly minted Nobel Prize winner Al Gore has called the "moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity." Yes, global warming is a challenge to all of humanity, but meeting it starts with each and every one of us as individuals. And right now, you can do something that will make a huge difference.

The U.S. Congress must pass an energy bill. This time around, though, they have a chance to pass one that actually will make a real difference in stopping global warming. It's simple: We need a bill that raises fuel-efficiency standards while also adopting a renewable electricity standard. Both of these are on the table as the House and Senate work to reconcile their competing versions of the bill. And if we can get both in this bill, we'll eliminate 20 percent of our global warming emissions by 2030 and make significant progress on long-term reductions in global warming pollution.

And get this: Doing your part won't win you any prizes, but it will make America stronger, create jobs, and save you money. Check out our updated "I Want My MPG" calculator to see exactly what a 35-mpg fuel-efficiency standard could save you every year.

Then, tell Congress it's time to "Flip the Switch" by signing our petition to the House and Senate leadership. Because this is one fight we have to win.

Needed: a Utah Valley chapter of Utah Moms for Clean Air

Utah Moms for Clean Air is a savvy new player in the movement to clean-up Utah's dangerously contaminated air. We are a non-profit, grassroots organization of Utah mothers and allies who share a concern about the health impacts of Utah’s dirty air. Our mission is to use the power of moms to clean up Utah’s dirty air. We are working to accomplish this by a combination of individual action, education outreach, and the shaping of policy and legislation.

Our organization was launched in May 2007, and while we are less than 5 months old, we have been bolstered by the groundswell of support for our message. We would now like to get this message out to folks in
Provo, a city that suffers from some of the worst acute spikes in pollution in the nation.

To do so, we would like to establish a chapter of Utah Moms for Clean Air in Utah Valley. We need at least one person to spearhead this effort, so if you are interested in motivated moms and other concerned citizens in your area, please send us an email to: supermoms@utahmomsforcleanair.org.

The more chapters we can establish across Utah, the more powerful we will be. The founder(s) of a Mom's chapter in Utah Valley can decide how much they want to be involved and what actions they would like to take. Actions can range from just signing on to letters that we write to elected officials, to meeting with your elected officials, to holding educational talks, etc. The most important aspect of establishing a chapter in Utah Valley is to demonstrate that concern for clean air is not just a "liberal" Salt Lake City concern. So please join our efforts and make a difference for not only the children of Utah, but all citizens of this beautiful state.

With Warm Regards,

Cherise Udell
Founder and President
Utah Moms for Clean Air
utahmomsforcleanair.org
.