the Sam Jackson College Experience

Liveblogging of the 2008 Yale Climate Change Conference, Woolsey Hall (Press Release here). For complete liveblogging coverage, click “read more” as updates will continue to be pushed downwards as new ones are added. Newest updates are at the top.

Friday’s gathering will also celebrate the centennial of President Theodore Roosevelt’s landmark 1908 Conference of Governors, which launched the modern conservation movement, planted the seed for the National Parks System, and inspired significant state efforts to protect land. The event will celebrate 100 years of state leadership on critical environmental issues, confront the present climate challenge, and set out a vision of a federal-state partnership for future action.

3:05 : MYTHBUSTERS! Crazy guys. Talk about how mythbusters is cool on discovery channel. Buster should go into politics. They should invest in the myth that businesses and republicans are obstacle to progress on environment, greenhouse gases. I say this is a myth. [bla bla bla] Democrats are obstacle as well, even if rhetorically they are trying to slow down the approval process-schizophrenic. People don’t want to let solar plants go up in Mojave desert because of the transmission lines; it’s not just businesses, it’s also environmentalists and environmental agencies. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of possible. We need transmission lines, battery cars need batteries and electricity, hydrogen cars need fuel, nuclear power has waste, biofuels can lead to deforestation–no silver bullets, only silver buckshot.

Engangered squirrel–which MIGHT like to live in the area near a power plant–stops solar plant, hypothetical squirrel is stopping up environmental progress. Environmental regulation can hold up environmental progress.

Relax, exhale, let things move forward. Good that there are young people here.

I am optimistic, despite obstacles. Very optimistic. young people have new ideas. Movement must reach critical mass. You can feel the big things moving and coming together. You can feel the momentum. Don’t be downhearted. Every day I see in CA what is happening, and say things are about to move our way. Thanks! APPLAUSE, OVATION.

3 : CA is giving the nation and world a push, UN wanted to have CA keynote to give the world a push! CA is at the leading edge of the environment economy of green, clean technology. Even besides global warming,incentives for new energy sources–environmental cause would be unwinnable without capitalism! Shift is happening all over the world. Leading german consulting firm says that german clean green industry will be greater than auto industry before next decade is out there. Time for environmental revolution.

2:50: Worked out with President Levin earlier, he is very buff–benchpressed a sophomore. There is a connection between bodybuilders and environmentalists. A long time ago people were embarrassed to talk about weight lifting–Kirk Douglas and others did not want to be associated with weird people in spandex dungeons. When asked how they got their bodies, “we were born like this.” A book, Pumping Iron came out, and then a movie : ) and this changed things (dir. George Butler is here). Sport became more and more popular, and the perception of bodybuilding changes, and now there are gymnasiums everywhere and people talking about abs and delts and six packs.

Like bodybuilders, environmentalists are thought to be weird fanatics. For too long, environmental movement has been powered by guilt. Smokestacks powering out hot tubs and big screen TVs. If only we could live like monks on straw mats. People are not going to give up plasma TVs. Ladies and gentlemen, movements don’t make progress based on passive guilt. Successful movements are built on passion, critical mass, an element of alarm to galvanize action. Environmental movement is switching from guilt-power to some newer and more dynamic. Image is also changing from one of hand-wringing and whining to something hip, cutting edge–even sexy!

CA does not wait until Washington–they are asleep at the wheel. We are working to change things. Can protect the environment and economy at the same time.

California is 7th largest global economy, tiny spot on globe, but influence of a continent.

Arnold to Michigan: get off your butt! CA may be doing more to save US auto industry than anyone else, by pushing them to change!

Govt can’t get us where we need to go on its own, I am a believer in technology. Tesla auto is great! 0-60 in 4 seconds, 140 mph– Levin, you should get one, girls will go crazy!

2:45 : Pleasure to introduce Arnold. Levin loves to see CA play a leadership role, reinforced by Governator’s take on global warming. Big ups for telling the EPA to take action or get out of the way. Standing ovation.

2:40 : Developing countries should not replicate what the developed countries have done, don’t repeat their mistakes! In recognition of this fact, I launched a program… we have 1.6 billion people today who don’t have access to modern electricity. 400 million are in India. Should we wait for coal plants? Kerosene? Or should we look for other approaches. Made solar lantern and flashlight.

All must face challenge together, Applause + standing ovation.

2:35 : Definite threat to peace and stability. That’s why IPCC got nobel, perhaps. Even if we stopped now, climate change will continue for decades at least. Some countries are trying to change now, but that’s not enough! We really have to mitigate greenhouse gases before we exceed the capacity of human society to adapt to the changes we will see. Mitigation is not an expensive proposition–see the scenarios of states here. Some scenarios IPCC sees stabilization possible with a short window of 7 years, emissions peaking in 2015. Cost of mitigation is not very high. 2030 cost might be 3% GDP, but not a high cost to avoid the future damage. These mitigation measures carry with them other benefits. Less air pollution, rural jobs, better health–might mean that society could just benefit from these measures! We must explode the idea that this is all bad for jobs etc.

Final points: US has been the leader in several areas, but today the President is not upholding high standards of the past. Good state initiatives, but we need countrywide initiatives. Companies that have a reason to look to the future, and are investing in good technology, will be winners. The same argument applies to winners.

Technology change can only follow policy. Need a price on carbon so that companies will have an incentive to invest in low carbon solutions.

2:30 : Also, possible collapse of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica. There would be an increase in sea level of several meters. Hundreds of millions of humans will be put at risk. Small island states, Bangladesh, low-lying parts of America.

What constitutes dangerous? Depends who you ask. Maldives president will say that it already happened. Megacities around the world are in trouble, too. Shanghai, others. But isn’t it the shining example of modern China? Maybe so, but it’s in danger.

2:20 : Thanks to CT and CA so that I have something nice to say about US. Also, Climate Change is one part of a greater problem. Unsustainable development and industrialization have led to this problem, climate change is not a theory but observable fact. See 4th assessment report of IPCC. You would have to be very naive to conclude anything but warming. That rate is on an increase. It is not just a straight linear relationship. It is also accompanied by other changes–precipitation changes, other changes.

Russia story with Putin. Is climate change good for Russia? Uh, not necessarily. More extreme storms and things. Changes in the availability of water. Coming from Indian subcontinent, there is a lot to worry about. 500 million people in S. Asia, 250 million in China, would be affected by those kinds of precipitation changes directly.

Agriculture decline. We know what is happening now about food prices worldwide. Demand is up, supply is not keeping up. In poor countries today we have riots, starvation, etc. This will increase in the future. No part of the world that can live immune.

More disease vectors, more droughts, more heat waves (see France / Europe when 30,000 died). Health, mortality, morbidity will be problem in the future. By 2100, low end of scenario is 1.8 degrees celsius, upper estimate is 4 degrees. We can’t really do so well under 1.8 degrees increase. That’s over 2.5 degree celsius since industrialization began. Agriculture will be severely affected, massive species loss and endangerment, etc. 20-30% of species are in danger of extinction at 1-1.5 degree celsius increase.

2:16 : Levin introduces Nobel Laureate Pachauri, chair of the IPCC. BTW, humans are causing climate change, in case you forgot. He is coming in the fall to teach again. Welcome! [applause, standing ovation]

2:10 : Arnold time! Levin notes that Yale is proud, that Gus Speth and Esty are cool (yep) and that Yale is generally great. Also, climate change needs to be addressed by the whole world. Wait! Yale is not enough to solve climate challenge (really?). -10% of 1990 by 2020, -45% from 2005. We are trying to lead by example. In last 2 years, we are -17% from 2005. Another -17% in 3 years. It is feasible and affordable. Yale is doing this at less than 1% or .5% of operating expenses (Yale is perhaps not the most energy intensive of industries, though).

2:08: Thanks to Mexico, Canada, Czech environment minister and others for being here. Do they get any attention? Governors come take a picture with the president. Hold this pose… keep holding. Ok. Now everyone can come have a picture together!

2:06 : Go Kansas, “greetings from the heartland.’ Sebelius is happy to be a signatory. Important step forward.

2:05 : Jodi Rell signs the document. Applause! Corzine (NJ) is here. Greetings from Princeton!

2:02 : 18 states, 1/2+ population, more than 1/2 emissions, here today signing a declaration about emissions. Esty says it promises a real step forward. Not in theory, but in practice. States are committing to action, if they were countries, it would be like France, Britain, Italy, Germany. South North, East West, Republican and Democrat. “New Way Forward” on climate change.

1. commits states to pushing for federal level regulation and state implementation
2. to be cost-effecftive, must build on state experience
3. talks about getting the incentives right. must engage industry and individuals.

Where are the teeth? Is it binding? More on this later when I can have a look at the document.

1:50 : Enter distinguished guests! More organ and applause. People are just looking around for Schwarzenegger, I think people recognized President Levin but not anyone else. Here’s Connecticut governor Jodi Rell. Sge begins praising Yale, Yale students, Yale President. Go Yale. Oh, and we’re gracious hosts, too. Have a good taste of nutmeg hospitality while here in Connecticut. Roosevelt’s great-grandson and Pinchot’s grandson (?) are both here, let’s clap.

Sustainable sustainable sustainable. No bioenvironmentalists talking, it would seem–these people are very big into the “sustainable development.” Oh, and of course, Connecticut will be fun of green collar jobs. Stop talking about the money and start talking about the changes you want to actually make! “Believe we can” is good, show me how you can do something, how about pushing hard for the CT house climate bill?

Jodi Rell asked CT people to do one thing each day to save energy. Unplug your blackberry / phone. Yeah, the thing is, Governor Rell, Al Gore is out there campaigning about how it is NOT JUST ABOUT INDIVIDUAL ACTION. We need to pressure Congress, STATE legislatures, and other actions. Thank you for changing the discourse here.

1:45 pm: Don’t forget about Yale! 100 years ago, Pinchot was at Roosevelt’s side–and Pinchot was a Yale man. Pinchot was pretty awesome, as I discovered in my research on the National Parks / Forest System. He was important in founding Yale Forestry / Environmental Studies, also. Sage hall art. Hooray for FES (clapping).

1:40 pm: Dan Esty is introducing things! It’s cool because we read his papers (Law School, Forestry / Environment) for my Environmental Studies class. Praise for Teddy R., focus on critical issue of today, climate change. Good that states are safety net (really?) against federal inaction. Best practices, models, etc.

1:30 pm: Event is supposed to begin now. Press and schoolchildren have been all over the area since this morning. They opened up the top decks of Woolsey, to the press’ chagrin, because of the swelling crowds. The line was a few blocks long and stalled for a while. Organist is doing a nice job.

1:00 pm: Because of the “Abortion Art” debacle yesterday, we have some nice pro-choicers pamphleting outside. Also, meat is murder folks. Some ‘press’ guy was also giving out anti-nuclear stuff.

Governors who plan to attend the event include Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, Jon Corzine of New Jersey, M. Jodi Rell of Connecticut, Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Rod Blagojevich of Illinois.

In addition, Christine Todd Whitman, Quebec Premier Jean Charest, Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and Nobel Laureate Dr. R. K. Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, will participate.

Several of the governors will sign a climate change declaration that will highlight the need for “partnership” between the federal and state government.

Yale has affirmed its commitment to sustainability, especially in reducing the university’s carbon footprint with an initiative to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to 10 percent below the 1990 level by 2020. Yale has already taken steps to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings, use renewable fuels, reduce electricity use, and invest in alternative energy.
Friday’s gathering will also celebrate the centennial of President Theodore Roosevelt’s landmark 1908 Conference of Governors, which launched the modern conservation movement, planted the seed for the National Parks System, and inspired significant state efforts to protect land. The event will celebrate 100 years of state leadership on critical environmental issues, confront the present climate challenge, and set out a vision of a federal-state partnership for future action.

“Roosevelt showed remarkable foresight a century ago in engaging the states’ chief executive officers to preserve and protect the nation’s natural resources,” said Levin. “Now, we face a new and critical challenge—global climate change—and leadership in the United States is coming from visionary state governors.”

Woolsey Hall
Grove and College Streets

Declaration Signing:

• Welcome addresses by President Levin and Governor Rell
• Governors Blagojevich, Corzine, Rell, Schwarzenegger and Sebelius
• Observers: Premiers Charest and Doer, Czech Environment Minister Martin Bursík, Sonoran Minister of Ecology Angel Lopez Guzman

Public Address:

• Introduction by Yale President Richard C. Levin
• Nobel Laureate Pachauri
• Governor Schwarzenegger

Governors Participating:

• California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell
• Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
• Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius
• New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine

Special Guests:

• Nobel Laureate R. K. Pachauri
• Quebec Premier Jean Charest
• Manitoba Premier Gary Doer
• Czech Republic Deputy Prime Minister Martin Bursik
• Former EPA administrator and 50th Governor of NJ, Christine Todd Whitman
• Scott Pelley of 60 Minutes

States sending representatives on behalf of their Governors:
Arizona, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Washington

States Signing the Policy Declaration:

1. Arizona
2. California
3. Colorado
4. Connecticut
5. Delaware
6. Florida
7. Illinois
8. Kansas
9. Maine
10. Maryland
11. Massachusetts
12. Michigan
13. New Jersey
14. New Mexico
15. New York
16. Oregon
17. Virginia

Washington