Campaign Waged For Climate Change Legislation

The legislation introduced to the US Senate calls for a 20-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

It sets up a cap and trade system and offers incentives for new green technologies and businesses.

The legislation comes three months after an energy and climate bill passed in the house.

In New Hampshire, environmental groups are waging a campaign to get the bill passed.

One of those campaigns, called Repower America, was launched by the environmental group started by Vice President Al Gore.

Repower America’s New Hampshire Director Joe Elcock says they’re building a network of supporters in the state.

Joe1 “We’re here to work hard to make sure that there is the grassroots support for the climate change legislation and keep the pressure on the elected officials to keep working hard to do it in a speedy fashion.”

With a staff of six in New Hampshire, the Repower America campaign has spotlighted clean energy businesses across the state.

Nationwide, the organization has held more than 50 events in 22 states.
They’ve aired campaign ads and asked constituents to write to Senators.
And they’re joining other organizations.

Joe2 we’re actually also part of the Clean Energy Works Coalition which is a group of upwards of 60 different organizations that are working to pass climate change legislation.

Those organizations include labor unions, environmental groups, farmers, veterans and religious groups.

The Clean Energy Works coalition has targeted 28 states with advertising and hundreds of field workers.

But despite all this organization, it’s been a challenge to garner attention.
(and jump start the transition to a clean energy economy..)

At a recent press conference in Concord on climate legislation there were more participants than press.

The contentious health care overhaul debate has instead captured center stage.
Evan Carlson is with Repower America.

“I think the health care debate has taken up a lot of oxygen over the summer, but it’s becoming apparent to people that this legislation is out there and its going to be a bigger issue into the fall.

Some groups are taking a different approach to increase awareness.

Clean Air Cool Planet, an environmental group based in Portsmouth, will soon launch what they’re calling a hip-boot campaign.

The hip-boots symbolize what may have to be worn if global warming predictions on potential sea level rise are true.

Communications Manager Bill Burtis.

“We’ll be talking with officials and folks from these communities presenting maps showing what sort of inundation this would lead to”

Burtis says Clean Air Cool Planet is not lobbying for any specific climate change legislation during their tour of the east coast, but they have strategically chosen states.

“there are some senators that are uncertain at this point and so we have chosen to go to states where the Senators are if you will, considering what they ought to do.”

Environmentalists are hoping to have some legislation passed before the global warming treaty talks in Copenhagen Denmark occur in December.

But despite that push, lawmakers have suggested it’s unlikely to see floor debate this year.

For NHPR News, I’m Amy Quinton.