http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/its-getting-hot-around-here Group blames local temperature increase on global warming http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/its-getting-hot-around-here Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:52:00 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/the-co2-state By Matthew Philips http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/the-co2-state Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:15:54 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/only-you-can-prevent-global-warming http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/only-you-can-prevent-global-warming Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:23:35 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/global-warming-could-mean-more-austin-floods The activist group, Environment Texas http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/global-warming-could-mean-more-austin-floods Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:20:55 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/craddick-creates-panel-for-energy-environment AUSTIN -- Global warming and its impact in Texas will come under http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/craddick-creates-panel-for-energy-environment Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:19:48 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/heavy-storms-up-42-percent Fort Worth and Dallas experienced a significant increase in the http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/heavy-storms-up-42-percent Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:16:25 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/violent-storms-increasing-in-texas-across-u_s Severe http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/violent-storms-increasing-in-texas-across-u_s Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:17:28 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/report-to-be-released-on-increase-of-extreme-rainstorms Environment Texas, an environmental advocacy http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/report-to-be-released-on-increase-of-extreme-rainstorms Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:11:41 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/storm-2006-linked-to-global-warming By Celina Avila EL http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/storm-2006-linked-to-global-warming Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:13:06 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/an-enviromental-group-details-global-warmings-effect-on-texas The frequency and the severity of rainstorms in Texas are directly related to global warming according to a new report being released today by Environment Texas. Luke Metzger with Environment Texas says the sever flooding and rain storms in central Texas this summer along with the 59 related deaths are high-lighted as part of this larger trend consistent with scientist's predictions. He says what was once the storm of the decade will soon be just another downpour. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/an-enviromental-group-details-global-warmings-effect-on-texas Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:14:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/extreme-rainstorms-a-new-texas-trend DALLAS, Texas, December 4, 2007 (ENS) - http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/extreme-rainstorms-a-new-texas-trend Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:15:21 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/u_s_-house-speaker-pelosi-visits-austin California Representative touts Congress' environmental record and raises money for Democrats http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/u_s_-house-speaker-pelosi-visits-austin Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/global-warming-a-matter-of-life-death Are you exercising? http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/global-warming-a-matter-of-life-death Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/wet-summer-weather-result-of-global-warming By Jeff Turner News Reporter Texas’ wet summer stood in stark contrast to the triple-digit temperatures of the summer of 2006. Scientists are now saying both summers of unusual weather are products of global warming. A report released during the summer by an Austin-based non-profit ecological protection group, Environment Texas, said the warmer-than-normal temperatures of 2006, and this year’s wetter-than-normal weather, indicates global warming. The report found in 2006, Austin experienced 147 days where the temperature hit 90 degrees or more, 38 days more than the historical average. 2006 was the second warmest year on record for the lower 48 states. This year, the southwestern U.S. is experiencing more precipitation and less severe storms than the summer of 2006. The National Hurricane Center listed five hurricanes and four tropical storms in the Atlantic last year, while 2007 has experienced two hurricanes and three tropical storms. Does this data indicate continued global warming? Pieter Tans, chief scientist of Climate Monitoring at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, does not think this is necessarily the case. “One of the expectations is more extreme events,” Tans said. “But I don’t think that extreme events by themselves are the best indicator of global warming.” Tans said the climatic differences between 2006 and 2007 are not concrete proof global warming is destabilizing weather patterns, but he does consider the warming a major concern. “Evidence of climate change caused by mankind, not as part of natural cycles, is accumulating globally,” Tans said. He said much of the documentation of this can be found in the Fourth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released earlier this year. The panel found the rate of increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a major culprit in global warming, has accelerated. The report states the cause is almost 100 percent the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, which is increasing. The report described strong indications of climate change: global loss of mountain glaciers and shrinkage of outlet glaciers of ice sheets, less Arctic sea ice, more warming in the Arctic than elsewhere, ocean warming, sea level rise and much more. The U.S. Congress will consider global legislation this fall. Two bills that would attempt to reduce pollution to levels scientists say are needed to prevent the negative impacts of global warming are the Safe Climate Act, introduced in the House, and the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act, introduced in the Senate. Many high profile politicos like Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., and Robert Shapiro, former Undersecretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs, support a tax on carbon emissions. Dodd’s Web site suggests a carbon tax will discourage “big corporate polluters” and stimulate innovation in renewable energy. J.J. Karabias, a federal field associate for Environment Texas, sees a carbon tax as the first step toward taking comprehensive action to slow global warming. “We are in the right place to take steps to neutralize our carbon foot print,” Karabias said. “Setting goals for corporate polluters has not worked. Congress must set mandates.” Some people are skeptical a tax on big carbon emitting companies would be effective. A carbon tax “would certainly make people more aware,” said Rene DeHon, senior geography lecturer. “But companies can find loop holes and credits in order to get around a carbon tax.” Environment Texas’ report ranked Austin fourth in the nation for cities with excessive heat days. However, San Marcos residents can count on the river and their inner tubes as a zero emissions way of battling the hottest and most hellish summer days. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/wet-summer-weather-result-of-global-warming Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/global-warming BY DAVID TEWES - VICTORIA ADVOCATE http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/global-warming Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/heat-exhaustion-in-a-cooler-2007 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/heat-exhaustion-in-a-cooler-2007 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/global-warming-in-the-panhandle Local authorites dispute the evidence that Amarillo's temperature rises are due to global warming. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/global-warming-in-the-panhandle Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/warming-blamed-for-rain Looking at data from federal climate agencies and weather stations, http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/warming-blamed-for-rain Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/utilities-seek-licenses-to-build-33-additional-nuclear-reactors By Nolan Hicks http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/utilities-seek-licenses-to-build-33-additional-nuclear-reactors Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/groups-global-warming-to-blame-for-weather A new report released Tuesday shows Austin ranked fourth in http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/groups-global-warming-to-blame-for-weather Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/austin-among-the-hottest-cities-in-2006 AUSTIN  --  A new Environment Texas report ranked http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/austin-among-the-hottest-cities-in-2006 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/it-really-was-hotter-than-usual-last-year It's not always easy when you live in South Texas http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/it-really-was-hotter-than-usual-last-year Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/is-heavy-sa-rain-caused-by-global-warming Environmental groups makes claims todayBy Jim ForsythTuesday, July 24, 2007 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/is-heavy-sa-rain-caused-by-global-warming Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/environmental-group-says-temperatures-rising-in-san-antonio http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/environmental-group-says-temperatures-rising-in-san-antonio Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/global-warming-pollution Show #346, April 13, 2007    Segment 1:  When it comes to pumping out green house gases, Texas is number one in the nation.  An analysis by the organization Environment Texas released a report this week that finds Texas ranks first in the nation for total emissions.  Luke Metzger is the director of Environment Texas. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/global-warming-pollution Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/hot-cities Hot CitiesBy: Capella Tucker http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/hot-cities Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/activists-call-attention-to-global-warming-carbon-dioxide-emissions Anton CaputoExpress-News Staff Writer Armed with a 20-foot blow-up replica of a flaming Earth, environmental activists tried to bring the issue of global warming front and center Friday in hot and steamy San Antonio. Environment Texas, an Austin-based organization, set up shop with its burning Earth and protest signs in front of the Central Library in downtown San Antonio. The group wants San Antonio Rep. Charles Gonzalez to use his position on the House Energy and Commerce committee to help push the Safe Climate Act. The legislation, sponsored by California Democrat Henry Waxman, would drastically reduce the nation's carbon dioxide emissions. The San Antonio Democrat, who didn't attend the news conference, wouldn't commit to co-sponsoring the bill saying he would need to "read it carefully and determine the consequences." But Gonzalez did say he supported efforts to battle global warming. "Waxman is truly in the forefront of what needs to be done and where we do need to be moving in this country, and I do believe we are moving too slowly," he said. The news conference comes on the heels of a recent study by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group that shows U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide nearly doubled from 1960 to 2001. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas blamed for global warming. Vehicles and industrial plants, particularly coal-fired power plants, are major sources. Texas leads a group of 28 states that more than doubled their global warming emissions during that period. The Lone Star State produces more carbon dioxide than any other and would rank seventh in the world if it were its own country. Texas is also one of the states trying to dramatically increase its fleet of coal-fired power plants to meet the energy needs of a booming population. There are 17 new coal plants either approved or proposed in the state, including one in San Antonio. Nationally, about 150 new coal plants have been proposed. The Safe Climate Act calls for the country to freeze carbon dioxide levels in 2010 and reduce them by 2 percent a year through 2020 and 5 percent a year through 2050. This would be done, in part, by creating a cap-and-trade program similar to one instituted in the 1990s to combat acid rain. Under such programs, companies are allocated pollution credits and have the option of trading or selling unused credits. The act's aim is to stop the planet's temperature from rising another 3.6 degrees. That's the point that many scientists believe would cause potentially drastic effects. Katie Lipsmeyer of Environment Texas said she is hopeful Waxman's bill will become a law. But most political observers, even those firmly entrenched in the environmental movement, don't believe the bill will make it out of committee. "Not in this Congress," said Antonia Herzog, who works in the Natural Resource Defense Council's Climate Center. acaputo@express-news.net http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/activists-call-attention-to-global-warming-carbon-dioxide-emissions Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/report-texas-shows-greatest-carbon-dioxide-increase-in-u_s  By Nick Georgiou The University Star Armando A report released on Friday by the activist group Environmental Texas indicates the state of Texas has been ranked No.1 in the nation for the largest overall increase in carbon dioxide emissions, jumping 178 percent between 1960 and 2001.The report titled “The Carbon Boom” indicates power plants and cars constitute for approximately 80 percent of increased coal and oil emissions. “We saw a dramatic increase in pollution from the combustion of oil, mostly from the transportation sector and also from the combustion of coal from the power plants,” said Luke Metzger, Environmental Texas advocate. In the past few years energy-based pollution problems have sparked a demand for alternative energy sources. “We know that by investing in smarter technologies, making our power plants and cars more efficient, investing in renewable energy like wind power, solar power, geothermal and biomass, we can dramatically reduce the amount of global warming pollution,” Metzger said. Mary Waters, geography senior and president of the Texas State National Association of Environmental Professionals, said global warming is a serious issue for the entire world. “It especially affects Texas because of its increasing population and its warm climate,” Waters said. According to the report, global warming threatens to raise sea levels in Texas and cause severe droughts and heat waves. Pieter Tans, Chief Scientist of Climate Monitoring at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the threat of a more active hurricane season is very real due to rising sea temperatures. “Warmer oceans are very likely to spawn stronger hurricanes,” Tans said. “We’re already paying the price. It’s not cost-free to do nothing.” Metzger attributes the lack of government action to groups who he says have spread misinformation about global warming. He said there is no debate about the science being presented. “Just yesterday, the National Research Council, which is the main, preeminent scientific body, presented to Congress, once again, further proof that global warming is happening; that humans are the major contributors to the increase in global warming,” Metzger said. “It’s not a lack of science, it’s a lack of political will.” Environmental Texas and other organizations have called for mandatory reductions in global warming. However, the federal government so far has rejected mandatory pollution limits due to the effect they think it will have on the economy. Tans said it is unfortunate that oil companies, automakers and electric utility companies have lobbied against common sense solutions to fight global warming. “For example, Exxon Mobile, in 1998 and 2004, spent $15 million in contributions to groups trying to confuse the public about the science, about the solutions to global warming,” Metzger said. “It’s really unfortunate that the public hears this misinformation from industry groups, even though the vast majority of scientists agree.” One group that Metzger referred to is the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a non-profit public policy organization, who, according to their website, are “dedicated to advancing the principles of free enterprise and limited government.” CEI recently produced two commercials which claim the threat of climate disaster due to energy use is unfounded. CEI’s Website states they want to “counter the flood of scare stories on global warming.” One of those advertisements, which has aired in Austin, talks about the benefits of carbon dioxide use and “how the effort to label carbon dioxide as a pollutant will have a negative, and unnecessary, impact on our lives.” CEI did not return phone calls from The University Star. The scientific community, however, believes the problem is an overabundance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere caused by human activity. Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, absorbs infrared radiation, which consequently heats up the earth’s surface. The more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the more radiation is absorbed. “We can actually calculate this with a very large amount of confidence,” said Tans, who has researched the global carbon cycle for several decades and has published more than 100 reports on the subject. He said the concentration of carbon dioxide has been fluctuating over the last one million years but has increased substantially in the last century. “We know why,” he said. “Because we are burning fossil fuels. There is zero doubt about that.” Although some believe imposing restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions would adversely affect the economy, Tans said, limiting carbon dioxide emissions would not be “economically devastating,” citing Sweden as an example. Between 1972 and the early 1990s, he said, the country managed to curb the emissions of carbon dioxide in half and have had no noticeable affects on their gross domestic product. “So it is possible, but of course, there was a government policy to go with it,” Tans said. “We’re just seeing the beginning of this. I know there are people in denial about this, because it’s unpleasant to recognize. The longer people deny this, the more of a risk we run.”   http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/report-texas-shows-greatest-carbon-dioxide-increase-in-u_s Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/serving-global-warming http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/serving-global-warming Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/environmental-group-speaks-out-against-global-warming An Austin environmental group fried up Texas-shaped toast as a metaphor of the state overheating from global warming during a demonstration Friday at the State Capitol. A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy found Texas to be the number one polluting state in the nation for the largest overall increase in carbon dioxide emissions over the past four decades. Environment Texas said the three areas of pollution are coal power plants, more people driving and natural gas usage. This week, the U.S. Congress will debate the Safe Climate Act, which would require the United States to reduce its global warming pollution by 15 percent from today’s levels by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050. "We know by investing in smarter technologies, making our power plants and cars more efficient, investing in renewable energy like wind power, solar power, geothermal and biomass, we can dramatically reduce the amount of global warming pollution," legislative advocate Luke Metzger said. Environment Texas is gathering signatures for a petition to stop global warming pollution. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/environmental-group-speaks-out-against-global-warming Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/group-says-texas-is-worst-when-it-comes-to-blame-for-global-warming Texas is frying, with longer heat waves, more intense storms and longer droughts. An environmental group says it's the effect of global warming, and Texas is contributing to it more than any other state. A coalition of environmental groups releases a report showing Texas pumping out 178 percent more global warming pollution in 2001 than it did in 1960. Environment Texas claims you can draw a straight line between that increase and climate changes in Texas that they say are only going to become more extreme. Luke Metzger with Environment Texas says consumers can help by buying more energy-efficient electronics, more fuel-efficient cars and trucks and just use less. Metzger says we need more solar- and wind-based power to offset the effects of coal- and natural gas-burning power plants. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/group-says-texas-is-worst-when-it-comes-to-blame-for-global-warming Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/dfw-area-not-meeting-air-quality-standards Eileen http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/dfw-area-not-meeting-air-quality-standards Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/texas-is-biggest-carbon-polluter By APRIL CASTRO – 14 hours ago http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/global-warming/global-warming-in-the-news/texas-is-biggest-carbon-polluter Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:22:05 -0600