Natural Resources Defense Council
Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s China Clean Energy Program
PROFILE
Barbara Finamore
Guest
FROM Barbara Finamore
To the Point
Earth Day: Past, Present and Future It's Good Friday, Passover is still underway, and it's also what some call the high holiday of the environmental movement. Now observed in 192 countries, Earth Day was founded in the United States 41 years ago, by Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson and Republican Congressman Pete McClosky. But the original Washington-based bipartisanship is a thing of the past, and environmental science is under assault from interests that oppose regulations they say will kill jobs and raise energy costs. On this 41st Earth Day we leave partisanship for another day and get some mainstream assessments of the health of the planet and how it can be improved. Photo: A boat on the dried shores of Lake Gruyere, affected by continuous drought near the western Switzerland village of Avry-devant-Pont. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
Which Way, L.A.?
Global Warming: Can It Still Be Turned Around? Denmark's Prime Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, showed up in Singapore last week for a reality check on next month's climate change meeting in Copenhagen. The conference had been billed as the last, best hope for effective action to reverse climate change. But Rasmussen and the Asia-Pacific leaders, including President Obama, agreed to reduce expectations.
To the Point
Global Warming: Can It Still Be Turned Around? Denmark's Prime Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, showed up in Singapore last week for a reality check on next month's climate change meeting in Copenhagen. The conference has been billed as the last, best hope for binding agreements to reverse climate change. Now that kind of consensus has been declared out of reach, and Hillary Clinton calls Copenhagen "a stepping stone." Poor countries want economic development to continue, and the worldwide recession has industrialized nations worried about what drastic action will cost. With legislation delayed on Capitol Hill, can President Obama still play a leadership role? What about China?
Which Way, L.A.?
Barack Obama, the United Nations and Global Warming At today's United Nations summit , President Obama addressed 100 world leaders on the need for action against climate change. Because of the worldwide recession, he said, they will all have trouble selling their own capitols on the need for difficult measures. He conceded the difficulties in Washington.
To the Point
Barack Obama, the United Nations and Global Warming Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon wants this week's summit of 100 world leaders to set the stage for a conference on greenhouse gas emissions later this year. In today's speech to the General Assembly, President Obama called for action. Because of the worldwide recession, he said, they will all have trouble selling their own capitols on the need for difficult measures. He also conceded that the US has been too slow to recognize the growing danger. But that record, and continued foot-dragging on Capitol Hill, have led to skepticism that he can unite the rest of the world against climate change. We look at Obama's first day at the UN.
To the Point
Explosive Growth in China Causes Explosive Pollution Problems As China strives to be an economic colossus, hundreds of thousands of people are dying prematurely from un-breathable air and contaminated water. During next summer's Olympics , auto traffic and manufacturing will be curtailed in greater Beijing, and nearby coal mines may be shut down. American athletes may be housed in South Korea and flown to Beijing only to participate in their events. The International Olympic Committee says the marathon and other endurance contests may be postponed altogether. But the basic problem remains, that of mind-boggling expansion in the world's most populous country with few controls on waste and emissions. What does it mean for the rest of the world? What's China trying to do about it?
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To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?