Nov 06 2009

Climate Changes

Posted by: Kory Raftery

Several stories on the science and politics of global warming caught our attention this week:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it supports most of the principles outlined in a bipartisan climate change bill sponsored by Senators John Kerry (D., Mass.) and Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.). In a letter sent to senators in the Environment and Public Works Committee earlier this week, the Chamber stated it is open to considering a federal cap on emissions. Surprised by the letter, committee chair Senator Barbara Boxer (D., Calif.) called the Chamber's position "a game-changer," especially after big companies such as PG&E Corp (PCG), Exelon Corp. (EXC), Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Levi Strauss & Co. recently resigned from the organization citing a fundamental disagreement with the Chamber's position on global warming.  

An article detailing a new study published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports glaciers atop the African peak Mount Kilimanjaro are rapidly shrinking and could disappear within the next 20 years. The study suggests global warming is the culprit, as scientists used historic aerial photos, satellite data and ice cores to determine the melting has taken place during recent years. 

Some of the nation's top penny-pinchers are starting to see global warming as a risk to the health of the economy, according to a New York University survey that collected data from 144 economists. About 75 percent of the economists support greenhouse gas controls. And more than 90 percent support a tax on emissions or a "cap and trade system." To read the entire study, click here.

© 2008 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms

"PG&E" refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation.