- Social:
Natural Resources Defense Council
Director of the Climate Center at the Natural Resources Defense Council
PROFILE
Dan Lashof
Guest
FROM Dan Lashof
Which Way, L.A.?
Is the Carbon Tax an Idea Whose Time Has Come? Environmentalists have long championed a carbon tax, imposed not just on gasoline, but on all fossil fuels, from coal used to generate electricity to diesel fuel used to power heavy equipment, as a way to address climate change. Now it’s winning the support of conservative think-tanks and even some oil companies, as a way to address the budget deficit. Is the tax a smart way to avert both global warming and the fiscal cliff? If so, then why isn't the Obama White House proposing it, and why is Congress so reluctant to consider it? Has hurricane Sandy changed any minds?
To the Point
Is the Carbon Tax an Idea Whose Time Has Come? Environmentalists have long championed a carbon tax, imposed not just on gasoline, but on all fossil fuels, from coal used to generate electricity to diesel fuel used to power heavy equipment, as a way to address climate change. Now it’s winning the support of conservative think-tanks and even some oil companies, as a way to address the budget deficit. Is the tax a smart way to avert both global warming and the fiscal cliff? If so, then why isn't the Obama White House proposing it, and why is Congress so reluctant to consider it? Has hurricane Sandy changed any minds?
Which Way, L.A.?
Copenhagen, Climate Change and Stolen E-Mails As the Copenhagen conference got under way today, the UN panel on climate change promised to investigate claims that scientists at the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit manipulated data to support the theory that global warming is man-made.
To the Point
Copenhagen, Climate Change and Stolen E-Mails The UN's global warming summit in Copenhagen opened today amidst new attacks on the basic science of Climate Change. Differences over economics, politics and technology already led some 200 nations to abandon hopes for a binding treaty this year. Now, stolen e-mails between climate researchers are being used to cast doubt on the urgency of taking steps to curtail greenhouse gases. Have scientists manipulated information? Are dissenters being silenced? Instead of debating over reducing emissions, would a crash program for alternative sources of energy be a cheaper, faster way to slow global warming?
Which Way, L.A.?
The Economics and Politics of Global Warming At the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December, the Kyoto Treaty on Global Warming will be renegotiated. Environmentalists say the US has a responsibility to play a leading role. A House Committee has passed a sweeping measure, the 932-page American Clean Energy and Security Act . It would "raise the cost of life" for all Americans. President Obama says the battle to slow global warming will be good for the US economy. But some environmentalists warn it’s too little, too late. Some conservatives argue it’s not worth the effort. We hear the beginning of the debate will go on for at least the rest of this year
To the Point
The Economics and Politics of Global Warming President Obama says the battle to slow global warming will be good for the US economy. He wants an energy policy in time for the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this coming December. A House committee has passed a sweeping 932-page bill that would re-engineer the production of energy and change the economic behavior of every American. It's expensive, and complicated enough to address the concerns of innumerable interest groups. But some environmentalists warn it's too little, too late. Some conservatives argue it's not worth the effort. The debate will go on for at least the rest of this year. We hear the beginning.
Recommended
KCRW Features
Despite evacuation orders, some Malibu residents 'stay and defend' homes The Woolsey Fire destroyed 670 structures in Malibu, including more than 400 single family homes. That makes it the most destructive fire in the history of that beachside community. But some residents say even more homes would have been lost, if not for the private citizens who defied mandatory evacuation orders to protect their neighborhoods. The homeowners who stay during a fire can be a nuisance for fire fighters... but they say they're not going anywhere next time.
The Mixer
Enter Gavin Newsom A look at how California's new governor may interact with the legislature.
KCRW Features
Idaho or Bust – Californians Make an Impact in Boise The housing crisis is pushing Californians out of the Golden State and into cheaper housing markets around the country. Boise, Idaho, has become the fastest growing metro area in the nation… and a lot of those newcomers are former Californians.Our dollars go a lot further there, but that’s causing a bit of friction with the locals.
KCRW Features
One Year Later: Rebuilding from the Thomas Fire This week marks one year since the Thomas Fire descended on the city of Ventura. It burned more than 500 homes within city limits. Since then, roughly half of those properties have received the green-light to start construction, but only a handful have actually broken ground. We visit one neighborhood where some of the first homes are getting rebuilt.