Author: CCLATX

Citizens' Climate Lobby Austin Chapter @cclatx

The need to employ science with urgency

On By CCLATXIn Wildlife ImpactsLeave a comment

As I sat trapped in my house during an unprecedented Arctic freeze, I hoped my power wouldn’t fail.

I jumped each time an ice-laden branch from my heritage oaks fell onto my roof or in my eerily frozen yard. I worried about my wife driving home from her commute on slick roads in an ice storm. I watched as my resident wild birds– with no choice but to endure during this extreme cold–clustered around my feeders, dependent upon my refilling them.

And I wondered whether a nationally renewed validation of science can help facilitate an understanding how arctic warming actually sends polar weather to Texas, with potentially devastating effects. We will certainly need to employ science with a COVID-level sense of urgency if we are going to make even the slightest headway in coping with the truly existential climate crisis we are still facing.

Martin Byhower

Austin American-Statesman

February 27, 2021

LTE Under Consideration: Carbon neutral not same as net neutral emissions

On By CCLATXIn Oil and gas industryLeave a comment

Re: “Carbon neutral not the same as net neutral emissions,” Statesman, 13 Feb 2021. As the byline of the author, Scott Tinker, doesn’t say, he is the director of UT’s Bureau of Economic Geology. What would you guess “economic geology” means in the state of Texas?

It is of course undeniable that, as Prof. Tinker says, “The reality we face is that humans impact the earth.” When he lists the impacts of various energy sources, however, he glosses over the huge differences in their impacts’ severity. As he doesn’t say, fossil fuels are the dirtiest and most dangerous, while nuclear and modern renewable energy sources are vastly safer and cleaner.

If the costs of burning fossil fuels were accurately reflected in their prices, by imposing a tax on their carbon content, then nuclear and modern renewable energy sources would be not only vastly safer and cleaner, but also cheaper.

Hamilton Richards

Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

February 23, 2021

Dishonest arguments overflow in op-ed

On By CCLATXIn Climate Change, Wildlife ImpactsLeave a comment

Re: Feb. 13 commentary, “Carbon neutral not net neutral.”

This op-ed was full of intellectually dishonest arguments – too many to address here. It transparently implies non-fossil energy alternatives will have net negative environmental impact (more than fossil fuels?) and “the left” are the people supporting them.

The author asks, “Should carbon neutral be the singular measure of planetary health?” No, and I’ve never heard anyone in the environmental protection community make such a ridiculous claim. There is no “singular” measure of planetary health other than this: Are we improving the long-term health of this planet and all the living creatures upon it?

The answer is a “singular” response: No, we are not. Let’s try another path.

Mark Warren

Austin American-Statesman

February 18, 2021

LTE Under Consideration: H.C.R. No. 22

On By CCLATXIn CCLATX, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Climate Change, HCR 22, Texas Environmental and Economic Stewardship Resolution, Texas LegislatureLeave a comment

The 87th Legislature of the State of Texas has a great opportunity to sponsor the proposed H.C.R. No. 22 – the Texas Environmental and Economic Stewardship Resolution. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while diversifying the economy supported by technological innovation and bipartisan collaboration.

It is not unknown to the Legislature that climate is changing and is having adverse impacts on the health and wellbeing of Texans. But we can’t rely on oil and gas as energy sources alone especially when it is contributing negatively to the health of Texans. Texas leads the nation in wind energy but we need more zero emissions sources like solar, geothermal, and nuclear.

The State of Texas has innovators, scientists, engineers and environmentalists who can provide expertise on energy sources and its impact on the changing climate. Texas House has already formed a Caucus on Climate and Environment and the Energy Industry, a perfect place to start thoughtful discussions on energy sources and transition opportunities to the 21st century low-carbon economy. The Legislature has a choice to grab this opportunity for the people they serve.

Richard “Larry” Howe

February 13, 2021

Texas Fights an Energy Battle That’s Already Lost

On By CCLATXIn Clean Energy, State of TexasLeave a comment

Re: Jan. 29 article, “Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas is prepared to sue Biden administration over environmental regulations.”

On Jan. 28, the LBJ Future Forum hosted a panel of respected speakers on “Austin’s Energy Innovation Future.” The message: Texas will thrive with clean energy companies and new industries that are already here and growing. Market signals from Washington and from corporate headquarters everywhere are reassuring investors that clean energy and emissions-reducing technologies are good bets.

That same day Gov. Abbott announced Texas will sue the Biden administration to protect oil and gas every chance it gets. Such pledges to protect fossil fuels send confusing signals about the welcome that clean technology companies will get in Texas.

Corporate decision makers know the future is away from fossil fuels. So instead of continuing to fight a battle that’s already lost, wouldn’t Texans be better served by a state government that is building a glide path for oil workers to a clean energy future?

Cynthia Lesky

Austin American-Statesman

February 7, 2021

We need more than just the Paris Climate Accord

On By CCLATXIn Paris AccordLeave a comment

Re: Jan. 21 article, “Biden’s first act: Orders on pandemic, climate, housing.”

President Biden’s actions are most welcome on critical issues including the pandemic and ever-worsening climate crisis. They have caused emotional and economic devastation. It is refreshing to know that these crises will be collaboratively addressed based on facts and truth.

The reversal of the Trump administration’s freeze on vehicle mileage and emissions standards is critical to reduce pollution. The transportation sector is responsible for 28% of the total U.S. emissions. Manufacturers are ready to ramp up production of clean vehicles. The U.S. will need all possible measures to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Accord, which we will rejoin.

Global engagement is necessary but the Paris Climate Accord won’t be enough. Young people are demanding bold actions to draw down emissions. The lawmakers of the most resourceful nation, the U.S., could lead the world by sponsoring bipartisan proposals that help low-income families, create jobs and help reach the climate goals.

Kalpana Sutaria

Austin American-Statesman

February 5, 2021

We must find unity on climate change

On By CCLATXIn National SecurityLeave a comment

Climate change has struck us all. Hurricanes, wildfires and floods have struck Democrats and Republicans, supporters of Trump and Biden, young and old, country and city.

The military has identified climate change as a top security threat – for all. The Lancet’s commission on climate change it the “biggest global health threat of the 21st Century” – for all. Economists and business leaders who participated in the World Economic Forum recognize that climate change is the biggest risk to business – for all.

We are divided. We must seek unity in fighting climate change. We must insist that our congressional leaders seek bipartisan solutions to climate change and pass them. For all. Now.

Bob Hendricks

Austin American-Statesman

February 2, 2021

These are the results of humans heating Earth

On By CCLATXIn Texas LegislatureLeave a comment

Re: Dec. 29 article, “Five things worth remembering about Austin’s weather in 2020”

An interesting article about Austin’s 2020 weather. I couldn’t help notice the words “climate change” and “global warming” never appeared – interesting because record-setting heat waves and droughts, permanently escalating “average” temperatures, increasing number of hurricanes and severe weather events, and the general “weirder” weather you mentioned, are all results of humans heating the earth.

One might be tempted to think this isn’t so bad, it’s just the weather; and indeed, if the warming stopped dead in its tracks right now, we could live with the results, albeit at high cost. The problem is, the warming is still escalating rapidly, and will continue to do so unless we take immediate, vigorous measures to stop emitting greenhouse gases.

We have the technology and resources, and even the proposed legislation (HR763), to slow and ultimately stop the toasting of our planet. Let your government representatives know you want it done, now.

Mark Warren

Austin American-Statesman

January 4, 2021

As with COVID, numbers don’t lie regarding climate

On By CCLATXIn ScienceLeave a comment

The Republican Secretary of State of Georgia Brad Raffensperger said, “I live by the motto that numbers don’t lie. I believe that the numbers that we have presented today are correct. The numbers reflect the verdict of the people …. ”

The numbers keep climbing when it comes to infections, hospitalizations and number of deaths due to COVID-19. Every few days, we reach the same death toll as the Sept. 11 attack. Yet there is no national strategy to combat this virus.

Numbers don’t lie when it comes to the climate crisis. Harmful emissions are rising, killing 100,000 Americans every year and affecting the health of many more who suffer from environmental degradation.

Votes have been counted and the American people have spoken that we need to move quickly to find solutions for the COVID-19 crisis and climate change.

There is no way around these facts. Lives matter.

Kalpana Sutaria

Austin American-Statesman

December 4, 2020

No vaccine for climate change. We must act

On By CCLATXIn Global WarmingLeave a comment

Despite the President’s claim that COVID-19 will disappear, scientists are quite clear that it is worsening. If only we had listened to the experts, we could have prevented such loss of life, financial destruction and the world’s disbelief that America could no longer lead. This situation is about to repeat itself. Our next pandemic is climate change.

Scientists warned us in the ’80s that if we didn’t act, the cost, loss of life and the future of our planet would be in danger. We are now seeing that these predictions are coming true.

September was the hottest month recorded since temperature tracking began. Today, there are weather extremes around our planet. We have seen this movie before and it does not end well. We may find a cure for the virus, but there is no vaccine for climate change.

We must act now for our children and grandchildren.

Dale Bulla

Austin American-Statesman

November 3, 2020