U.N. Climate Panel Revising Minimum Global Warming Upwards

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will release a new report on climate change on February 2nd that revises the minimum estimated increase in global temperatures since their last estimate in 2001.

Also, the 2,500 scientists who contributed to the report are 90 percent sure that human activities are to blame for a warming over the past 50 years.

The new report is likely to foresee a rise in temperatures of 2 to 4.5 Celsius (3.6-8.1 Fahrenheit) this century, with about 3 Celsius (5.4F) most likely. The European Union says any temperature rise above 2C (3.6F) will cause "dangerous" change, for instance with more heatwaves like in Europe in 2003 that killed 35,000 people.

New U.N. Climate Panel Report

The Stars are Aligned for Big Things in 2007

Tim Pawlenty's Assistant Commissioner for Renewable Energy, Mike Bull, was a presenter at the St Cloud CERTS Renewable Energy Conference last week. One of the more encouraging comments he made during the conference was that

"The stars are all aligned for this year's session for big things to happen in renewable energy. Maybe the biggest year ever."

He may be right. The governor has already announced a more aggressive renewable energy target of 25% by 2025. And the new state legislature is set to take up the whole issue of global warming this session. You can track the progress of this very important legislation at:
Clean Energy Minnesota

Let your representatives know that you vigorously support taking bold action this year!

MIT Finds Vast Untapped Geothermal Energy for Electricity

If there is a motivation to find clean energy sources, people will find it.

The United States already has geothermal systems operating in the West, but MIT concludes that the technology can be used broadly and be economical. Learn more about it.
MIT-led study finds geothermal energy potential untapped

Nancy Pelosi Turning Up the Heat in the House

As the House's new Democratic majority celebrated the completion of their populist 100-hour agenda Thursday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) unveiled the party's next legislative target: an ambitious plan to wean the U.S. from foreign oil and slow global warming.

Pelosi announced that she intended to create a select panel to help craft the party's environmental agenda and had asked committee chairs with jurisdiction over the issue to pass legislation "to truly declare our energy independence" by July 4.

LA Times Article

Global Warming is Not All Fun and Games

Recently, there have been news stories about how Winter sports are being disrupted in Minnesota and around the world due to temperatures .

USA Today: For many snow lovers, this winter has been all downhill

StarTribune: Where's all the ice?

This is one of the consequences of global warming.

The Washington Post reports that 2006 is the warmest year ever for the US. And a British report predicts 2007 will be even warmer.

Washington Post: Climate Experts Worry as 2006 Is Hottest Year on Record in U.S.

Scientists say 2007 may be warmest yet

While not being able to go ice fishing is not a serious consequence compared to the potential threat to millions of people's lives, it may be something that gets the attention of people who have thus far dismissed Global Warming as a theory that doesn't make a difference in their lives.
We all need to take notice of what is happening to our planet. If losing the fun of skiing and ice fishing will grab attention for average people, we should use that attention to educate people about the full significance of what is happening to the planet right now. People need to understand that there is a lot more at stake than a little fun in the snow.