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Time  Running Out to Cut Emissions -
World Watch Institute - Jan  14  - The world will essentially have  to
halt all carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 to "avoid catastrophic
disruption to the world's climate."

On March 6th, 2008 about 160 sq. miles of an ice shelf, about 1200 feet thick, broke off Antarctica.  This ice was already floating so this won't make seas go up right away, but it makes it more likely that the rest of the Western Antarctic Ice Shelf (WAIS) will collapse sooner causing 20 to 50 feet of sea level rise. 


Drought and Flooding Threaten Houston says Hansen.  "it remains possible and not entirely painful" to address global warming. "The most important step ...would be to prohibit the construction of coal-fired power plants until technology is developed to capture carbon dioxide ..."


Disastrous sea level rises possible this century unless we act now.  The rise could be up to 80 feet according to the August 25 story on Hansen in Toronto Globe and Mail

Hansen's article  concludes that "[I]ce sheets will respond in a non-linear fashion to global warming --- and are already beginning to do so. There is enough information now, in my opinion, to make it a near certainty that business-as-usual [emissions] scenarios will lead to disastrous multi-metre sea level rise on the century time scale."   article

The good news is that downtown Houston is 45 feet high making it less vulnerable than Galveston, Texas City, and parts of New York City (5 feet),  Dickensen, Mobile, Boston, and Miami (5 - 20 feet), and other coastal ciites.

Living Green, a new Blog on sustainable lifestyles by Houston Chronicle.


More news  More news 

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Houston Climate Protection Alliance connects folks concerned about catastrophic climate disruption so we can learn together and lead Houston toward climate protection.

Co-Chairs:  Tim Mock 713-662-2879 TimCMock (at) gmail.com

Dr. Louis Smith 713-528-1104  LCS (at) LouisCSmith.com

Treasurer: Nancy Edwards 713-661-9737 needwards (at) comcast.net

Secretary:  
Nan Hildreth
NanHildreth(at)riseup.net
713-842-6643


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Gear up for that long, hot,
humid Houston summer!
Cool down those AC bills!

Learn how at Greener Living's
Energy Saving Workshops 

This workshop series by Greener Living in Houston in collaboration with the City of Houston gives
the homeowner the opportunity to learn how to conserve energy and save money.  You will learn
what changes to make to your home and your habits to reduce your energy use and your energy
bill.  We will cover electricity, natural gas, gasoline, water and recycling.

The cost is $15 for the series of five workshops, or $10 if you are over 65.  Low income and
unemployed persons can give what they can afford.

Workshop size is limited; to learn specific times/dates/locations and to sign up, e-mail Nancy Edwards <needwards@comcast.net> or phone 713-661-9737.

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Ask Congress to support Climate Matters Bill
                           

  • It is crucial that the United States show the world we care about greenhouse gas emissions before the next round of United Nations talks.  We are hoping to pass a cap and trade bill in early 2009. 
  • The "Climate Matters" bill will limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.   It is stronger than most or all other bills.
  • Austin, Texas Congressional Representative Lloyd Doggett is the author of the bill.
  • To find out more, contact Andy Wilson of Public Citizen.  AWilson@citizen.org  512-477-1155
  • Please ask your Representatives to support this bill.   Doggett, Jackson-Lee and EB Johnson have already co-sponsored.  To see if your representative has joined them click here.

 

 

 

 

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HCPA generally meets the first Sunday of the month, 1:15 PM, on the second floor of First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin St. at Southmore.  Speakers talk about new developments in climate science and solutions, and we share the ups and downs of being climate activists.  Contact the Secretary or other officer (bottom left) for the latest details.