CLIMATE ISSUES:
On Thursday, April 14th at 7 p.m. at St Lukes Auditorium, the League of Women Voters Duluth, Fresh Energy, Institute for a Sustainable Future, Duluth Sister Cities International/Climate Idols, and Duluth Energy Efficiency Program (DEEP) sponsored a forum on climate change.
Jay Austin, Associate Professor of Large Lake Observatory/Dept. of Physics at UMD began the presentation to an audience of sixty plus, with a discussion describing his work on the long-term effects of climate change on large lakes. Specifically, how ice fits into this picture. Lake Superior fits all the criteria of the study. It is large, deep and has ice. He provided information about the instruments used to study wind speed, air temperature and water temperature of the lakes. He noted that Lake Superior's water surface temperature has risen approximately 4 and half degrees. He did state, he was not out to prove any global climate theories but to compile data. Mike Cashin, who is a corporate environmental engineer for Minnesota Power, was next to speak to the challenges ahead for MPL to address a national and state environmental policy. He presented the audience with various charts depicting emissions and causes in various parts of the world. He stated that only a multi-emission approach could remedy the problem. Air quality in Northern Minnesota is considered one of the best but in the higher populated areas of states, the quality goes down. MP has tried to have a good record of environmental performance as well as delivering low cost electricity to its customers.
J Drake Hamilton was last to address the audience. She is the Science Policy Director at Fresh Energy. Her responsibilities include scientific analysis, policy development, and advocacy of clean energy solutions to global warming that will maximize economic opportunities for the Midwest. She started with saying this is a "snack culture" we live in today. One where we get bits and pieces of information, some that are not always that well supported or even accurate. She is a scientist and she stated that National Academy of Sciences produce accurate and well supported information--global warming is happening and there are threats to the well being of the earth. Fresh Energy began in 1990 due to an alliance of Minnesota organizations committed to working on energy, conservation, economic development, environmental protection and civic engagement. Their work today is to "advance global warming solutions by promoting smart state and national policies that lead to deep permanent reduction in global warming pollution." They do this by working with business, government and citizens in confronting the problem. She ended by asking the question, "What will you say to your children and grandchildren when they ask you what you did about the problem of global warming?" She said, "we want to be able to say we did all we could."
Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon, member of the LWV Duluth, who sponsored the Minnesota Next Generation Energy Act, was also in attendance. The audience then directed questions to the three presenters. The attendees were directed to the tables outside the auditorium for additional information about action on this important topic.
Due to the priority of this topic, the Duluth League will have more discussions in the Fall-stay tuned. For background information and what other Chapters are doing on climate change, check the National League of Women Voters web site. (LWV.Org)
Jay Austin, Associate Professor of Large Lake Observatory/Dept. of Physics at UMD began the presentation to an audience of sixty plus, with a discussion describing his work on the long-term effects of climate change on large lakes. Specifically, how ice fits into this picture. Lake Superior fits all the criteria of the study. It is large, deep and has ice. He provided information about the instruments used to study wind speed, air temperature and water temperature of the lakes. He noted that Lake Superior's water surface temperature has risen approximately 4 and half degrees. He did state, he was not out to prove any global climate theories but to compile data. Mike Cashin, who is a corporate environmental engineer for Minnesota Power, was next to speak to the challenges ahead for MPL to address a national and state environmental policy. He presented the audience with various charts depicting emissions and causes in various parts of the world. He stated that only a multi-emission approach could remedy the problem. Air quality in Northern Minnesota is considered one of the best but in the higher populated areas of states, the quality goes down. MP has tried to have a good record of environmental performance as well as delivering low cost electricity to its customers.
J Drake Hamilton was last to address the audience. She is the Science Policy Director at Fresh Energy. Her responsibilities include scientific analysis, policy development, and advocacy of clean energy solutions to global warming that will maximize economic opportunities for the Midwest. She started with saying this is a "snack culture" we live in today. One where we get bits and pieces of information, some that are not always that well supported or even accurate. She is a scientist and she stated that National Academy of Sciences produce accurate and well supported information--global warming is happening and there are threats to the well being of the earth. Fresh Energy began in 1990 due to an alliance of Minnesota organizations committed to working on energy, conservation, economic development, environmental protection and civic engagement. Their work today is to "advance global warming solutions by promoting smart state and national policies that lead to deep permanent reduction in global warming pollution." They do this by working with business, government and citizens in confronting the problem. She ended by asking the question, "What will you say to your children and grandchildren when they ask you what you did about the problem of global warming?" She said, "we want to be able to say we did all we could."
Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon, member of the LWV Duluth, who sponsored the Minnesota Next Generation Energy Act, was also in attendance. The audience then directed questions to the three presenters. The attendees were directed to the tables outside the auditorium for additional information about action on this important topic.
Due to the priority of this topic, the Duluth League will have more discussions in the Fall-stay tuned. For background information and what other Chapters are doing on climate change, check the National League of Women Voters web site. (LWV.Org)
