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global warming informationEarth

birds & climate change

1. state of the birds: 2010 report on climate change

  • For the National report and Montana perspective, click HERE >>

1. Audubon studies, fact sheets & more

  • Feb. 2009. Birds & Climate: Ecological Disruption in Motion. HERE >>

  • More stories about Montana birds and global warming -- especially about breeding and migratory birds. Information HERE >>

  • Montana Audubon's brochure on breeding birds and climate change is HERE >>

  • The National Audubon Society has information on the effects of global warming on birds and other wildlife and how you can be part of the solution. More >>

2. other scientific studies and collaborative work about birds

  • Prairie potholes and the birds that depend on them under threat. More from Bioscience >> (we'll post the paper when it is available)

  • Boreal Songbird Initiative. Protecting forests is a great way to curtail carbon emissions. And we protect songbirds along the way. Learn more about the Carbon the World Forgot.

  • Sept. 2009. Sierra Nevada's -- Birds Moving in Response to Climate.

  • Read a December 2007 article detailing new research about climate change and landbird extinctions. Not very uplifting but worth the read. More >>

  • A Birdwatcher's Guide to Global Warming, developed by the American Bird Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation is available at ABC's Climate Change and Birds web page. In addition to the main report, there is a supplement for each of the lower 48 U.S. States. More >>

  • The National Partner's in Flight group is keeping an on-line and updated bibliography of articles related to climate change and birds. Visit their web site >>

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cLIMATE CHANGE -- effects and adaptation

  • November 2009. How do we save birds, wildlife and habitats in the face of global warming? Protecting critical areas, such as Audubon's Important Bird Areas, will help. Here are some ideas from a recent Christian Science Monitor article - Saving wildlife in a warmer world. More to come so check back...

  • October 2009. U.S. National Parks Vulnerable as Planet Heats Up Environment News Service - "Climate disruption is the greatest threat ever to America's national parks," warns Stephen Saunders, president of the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization and principal author of a new report released Thursday that identifies the 25 U.S. national parks, lakeshores, seashores and monuments most at risk of global warming. Read about Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks HERE >> Read about climate change and National Park's wildlife from NPCA
    Climate Change Impacts
  • June 2009. NEW REPORT. The US Global Change Research Program released the most comprehensive, authoritative report yet on Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States.

    For a look at the Northwest, including Western Montana (summarized by the Union of Concerned Scientists) click HERE.

  • May 2009. NEW REPORT. Union of Concerned Scientist. Climate 2030. A National Blueprint for a Clean Energy Economy is linked HERE.

    "To help avoid the most dangerous consequences of climate change, ranging from extreme heat, droughts, and storms to acidifying oceans and rising sea levels, the United States must play a lead role and begin to cut its heat-trapping emissions today—and aim for at least an 80 percent drop from 2005 levels by 2050. Blueprint policies lower U.S. heat-trapping emissions to meet a cap set at 26 percent below 2005 levels in 2020, and 56 percent below 2005 levels in 2030..." The Blueprint shows us how...

  • October 2008. NEW REPORT. Environment America has released a new report Feeling the Heat which documents the continued rise in the earth's temperature. The year 2007 tied for the second warmest year on record globally and was the 10th warmest year on record in the US.  Read the full report HERE.


  • October 14 2008. Montana Audubon's Amy Cilimburg and 3 other Missoula women -- Nicky Phear, Beth Berlin, and Jackie Corday -- join host Bryony Schwan on In Other Words. They discuss varied and inspiring approaches to solving global warming. Listen to this hour long KUFM public radio program HERE. (click to play or right click to save & download to computer. 14 MB MP3 file, patience required)

  • The New Yorker magazine published a great article on the complexities and solutions to global warming in its Feb. 25 2008 issue.  Read it HERE.

  • There are many myths and much misinformation.  Get the facts straight -- an unbiased website written by scientists:  REAL CLIMATE

  • See also Actions & Solutions


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the Copenhagen accord and what it means

We didn't get to attend these international meetings but friends and colleagues did!

Here's a short, select list of links you'll undoubtedly find informative:


federal legislation to solve our climate crisis

March 2010. We still have time to act and are even finding a bit of wind in our sails. There is a tri-partisan effort (Kerry, Graham, and Lieberman) to develop new clean energy and climate legislation that can muster 60 votes this spring.

We don't know just what this new draft of legislation will look like, but we know we need it NOW.

Climat Progress is keepting tabs HERE >>

Al Gore has a very compelling opinion piece in the Feb 27 New York Times >>

Read some strong statements from Republican Senator Graham HERE >>

Check out NRDC's -- This is Our Moment >>

Both the New York Times and the L A Times recently editorialized on this URGENCY!


FALL 2009.

The Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act (also known as the Kerry-Boxer Bill) has been introduced! Hearings were held the end of October and the bill was voted out of committee November 5. That is a significant hurdle and the momentum really is building.
climate legislation tracker. UCS
Although Senator Baucus was the lone Democrat in the EPW committee to vote "no" on the bill, he made arguably his strongest comments yet on his commitment to passing workable legislation. Read his statement re this vote HERE and his statement in the finance committee HERE >>

National Audubon Fact Sheet is HERE >>
Official summaries & details of the legislation are HERE >>
NWF has a 2 page overview HERE >>

October. There is bipartisan support to move this legislation. Read Senator Kerry and Graham's opinion piece in the New York times HERE >>

October. A very good "Climate Progress" blog opinion piece on why we should act TODAY >>

October. Amy Cilimburg weighs in on Montana Public Radio

September. Kathy Hadley weighs in with an op-ed published across Montana

Congress needs to deliver a strong national climate and clean energy commitment this fall - the rest of the world is waiting for our leadership. This Senate bill has many great provisions -- including a mechanism to crack down on old, dirty coal technology, and carbon cuts that bring us closer to what scientists say is necessary. This Act is a positive first step to kick off the climate debate in the Senate, but we'll have to make our voices heard to defend the good provisions and strengthen the weaker ones.

It’ll take every one of us and every ounce of our determination to win against the vested interests who would keep us mired in fossil fuel dependence. Strong climate and energy policy is a powerful catalyst for a robust clean energy economy, wildlife adaptation and protection, family wage jobs, and enhanced national security. For our kids -- and the birds -- to have a bright future, the Senate must get this done.

How can YOU help? Head to our ACTION ALERT page.

July 2009. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 - also known as ACES or the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill - PASSED the US House! Here's a great opinion piece on the VOTE >>

The House of Representatives has taken an historic step toward America's clean energy future -- this bill will create jobs, cut our dependence on oil, and reduce the carbon pollution that causes global warming.

National Audubon Society just released a 2 page FACT SHEET for the Senate HERE >>
NRDC -- Top 10 reasons the Senate should strengthen and pass ACES HERE >>
Climate Solutions has a short recap from KC Golden HERE >>

THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE has a wealth of documents linked HERE >>

We continue to post information and links to explain what this bill does and does not do:

  • Sightline Institute: Things I love and Hate about Waxman-Markey. They also consider this bill in their latest version of Cap & trade 101: A Climate Policy.
  • National Wildlife Federation's Climate Action Toolbox - released June 15 - is a wealth of information and assessment. Download HERE >> They also provide a nice 2 page summary HERE.
  • Climate Progress has been tracking and commenting on the ACES bill HERE.
  • GRIST is keeping close tabs on what ACES means for solving global warming HERE.
  • The official summary of the >1300 page bill in 6 pages can be read HERE.

What are the COSTS of this legislation? Dire warnings and misinformation abound. Luckily, the EPA and non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have now weighed in, and the economic picture is quite favorable. Read the original reports linked below or skip down to the compilation put together by the Environmental Defense Fund or Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

  • According to the EPA: With the energy efficiency measures, consumer spending on utility bills would be roughly 7% lower in 2020 as a result of the legislation.   The overall impact on the average household, including the benefit of many of the energy efficiency provisions, would be 22 - 30 cents per day ($80 - $111 per year). The full report can be downloaded HERE>>. The EPA report is a little dense. Read a summary from Climate Progress HERE >>

  • According to the CBO: This independent analysis determined “that the net annual economy-wide cost of the legislation in 2020 would be $22 billion—or about $175 per household,” 48 cents per day - a bit more than a postage stamp! Download the report HERE >>

  • The Environmental Defense Fund summarizes the EPA, the CBO and EIA (Energy Information Administration) reports and the clarifies the muddy waters HERE >>.

  • The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has prepared 3 new analyses on critical consumer relief provision of ACES. Read more HERE >>


In brief, from Environmental Defense this bill:

  • Sets a declining cap on greenhouse gas emissions at 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83% by 2050
  • Establishes a cap-and-trade program to spur investment in clean energy technologies and new manufacturing jobs
  • Promotes clean energy by requiring that 20% of electricity comes from renewable sources such as wind, solar, certain types of biofuels, and energy efficiency by 2020
  • Protects the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries (like steel and concrete) by giving them free permits, or allowances, to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases in the early years; this helps solve the problem of international competition from uncapped countries
  • Keeps utility rates low for consumers by giving 30% of allowances to local electricity and natural gas companies, and requiring the utilities to pass the benefits on to their customers
  • Protects low- and moderate-income households by allocating 15% of allowances to minimize impacts on these households
  • Provides an incentive for uncapped countries to limit their emissions by allowing the President to impose fees on carbon-intensive imports from nations that haven’t adopted their own greenhouse gas cap (starting in 2025).

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Cap and Trade - what does this really mean????

There is a great deal of confusion around what it means to first cap the amount of carbon we produce and then second establish a trading system around permits to pollute.

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The economics of addressing global warming

There is a great deal of concern (and fear-mongering) around the economics of addressing climate change. We at Montana Audubon recognize the opportunities for new clean energy jobs, for the benefits associated with renewable energy, and we are also deeply concerned about the cost of inaction. These costs are hard even for economists to quantify: fighting fires, water shortages, loss of forests to extreme beetle infestations, crop loss due to higher temperatures and associated drought, health impacts, the list goes on....

From Grist (Oct 5): What do we mean when we talk about the cost of climate legislation?

Environmental Defense Fund has a cost of inaction synopsis HERE. EDF also has a new interactive map of Montana's Green Economy.

A good May 6 Washington Post opinion piece is HERE >>

October 2009. We will post assessments of the latest Senate bill when we get them. EDF has just updated their helpful publication: Climate Economics Brief. And there's always good economics at Climate Progress and the Sightline Institute.

July 2009. Most of the economic data from these last few months is associated with the US House ACES bill, and we have this information posted in the section above.

June 2009. NEW REPORT. The Pew Charitable Trust provides an extensive look at the Clean Energy Economy in the US with specific State-by-State rankings and prospects - Montana included! Get it HERE.

Spring 2009. A number of recent reports have been released that are relevant to to Montana and Economics.


Fall 2008. The following report, prepared by economists from the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and commissioned by the Center for American Progress, finds that significant public and private investments in transitioning to a green energy economy will create two million jobs nationally over a two year period, while reducing our countries dependence on fossil fuels and cutting global warming pollution. Read what the Missoulian has to say in their Sept 10th article: Report: Investment in 'green' jobs could help Montana. 

Green Economic Recovery Program: Impact on Montana. This mini-report includes Montana-specific data including the number and types of jobs that would be created from a clean energy program.

Green Recovery – A Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low-Carbon Economy (full report; 5.5 mb).


The following are informative pieces that address economic and climate change issues:


clIMATE CHANGE At the state and local levels

  • Two reports from our Montana Partners:

    • Montana Trout Unlimited has a great new publication. Trout in Trouble: The Impacts of Global Warming on Trout in the Interior West. To download either the 4 page summary or the full report, head to the MTTU web site >>.

    • The Clark Fork Coalition also has a fantastic publication: Low Flows Hot Trout. And it's not all about fish. Download from the CFC's website >>.

  • Governor Schweitzer appointed the Climate Change Advisory Committee two years ago to determine what Montana could and should do to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of global warming. In November, 2007 the report was completed. Montana now has a Climate Action Plan that needs action!

  • On Earth Day 2008, The Montana Department of Environmental Quality launched a new web site: Climate Change in Montana.

  • Governor Schweitzer has joined the Western Climate Initiative and has announced his 20x10 Initiative -– 20x10 asks state agencies to reduce their energy consumption by 20% by the year 2010.  A great step forward.

  • Five Planets - a great Montana made and Montana featured movie http://www.janeoholly.com/

  • The Missoulian newspaper ran an article on Global Warming and Glacier National Park - Melting into History.


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Global Warming Resources for TEACHERS & KIDS

  • EPA's Climate Change, Wildlife, and Wildlands Toolkit: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the National Park Service and with input from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, developed a kit for use when talking with the public about how climate change is affecting our nation's wildlife and public lands.

  • EPA's Climate Change Kids Site: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has lots more resources for kids and teachers here.

  • Global Warming Materials for Educators from the Union of Concerned Scientists: A list of Global Warming materials for educators produced by the Union of Concerned Scientists' (UCS) Global Environment Program.

  • Teachers' Guide to High Quality Educational Materials on Climate Change and Global Warming: This guide points K-12 educators to the best sites for teaching about climate change: several that offer first rate background material, and others that include detailed lesson plans and experiments.

  • Portal Web Site: Dedicated to Global Warming Education, Climate Change Education, Science, Solutions -- Resources Directory For Students, Teachers, Families, Researchers, Everyone.

  • Global Warming Teaching Unit: This unit includes classroom activities to help students understand global warming and its possible effects on human beings.

  • The Story of Stuff: A little off-topic, but relevant to reducing our carbon footprint with all our stuff.

  • BOOKS for KIDS:
    • Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming. Laurie David, Cambria Gordon. 2007.
    • Why Are the Ice Caps Melting?: The Dangers of Global Warming (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2). Anne Rockwell. 2006. Great for younger kids.
    • This Is My Planet: The Kids' Guide to Global Warming. Jan Thornhill; Upper elementary and middle school, 2007.

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Workshop handouts

 

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books For Adults

  • Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature and Climate Change. Elizabeth Kolbert. 2006.

  • The Weather Makers: How Man is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth. Tim Flannery. 2005.

  • The Carbon Diet: A 30 Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds. David Gershon. 2006.

 

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