STATEMENT ON EPA’S PROPOSED CARBON POLLUTION STANDARDS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2012
CONTACT: Jason Miner, 202-337-0808, jminer@gloverparkgroup.com
Maggie L. Fox, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project issued the following statement in response to EPA’s proposed carbon pollution standards:
“The coal industry has spent hundreds of millions of dollars telling the American people that coal is “clean.” If that’s true, then the industry will welcome these new rules. But we are more likely to hear the same old tired and false claims denying the reality that coal is dirty and that burning it is a major cause of the climate crisis. As the record-breaking temperatures we’re experiencing this month all over the United States and Canada make clear, it’s past time for bold solutions. The coal industry must either clean up its act, or make way for cheaper, cleaner ways to power our country.”
STATEMENT ON FAILURE OF KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE AMENDMENTS TO PASS U.S. SENATE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2012
CONTACT: Eric Young, 703-217-6814, press@climatereality.com
Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate rejected amendments to cut short environmental review and mandate construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport carbon-polluting tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to the United States and enable export of refined fuel to overseas markets.
Maggie L. Fox, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project, issued the following statement:
“Climate change is a reality. And it’s also a reality that tar sands oil is one of the dirtiest fuels on the planet, spewing carbon pollution into the atmosphere that will speed up the climate crisis. The EPA estimates that the annual well-to-gas tank carbon pollution from the Keystone XL pipeline could be as much as 82% higher than average crude refined in America. This amounts to an additional 27 million metric tons of carbon pollution, the equivalent of adding roughly 4.8 million cars to our roads. It is unacceptable to add this much carbon pollution to our atmosphere.”
“Recently, 800,000 Americans told the Senate loud and clear that we must stand up to oil industry lobbyists and reject this pipeline once and for all. We thank and applaud the senators who rejected this attempt to deepen our reliance on fossil fuels.”
Statement on Obama Administration’s Rejection of Keystone XL Pipeline Permit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2012
CONTACT: Eric Young, 703-217-6814, press@climatereality.com
Washington, D.C. ⎯ The U.S. State Department announced today they have rejected TransCanada’s permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. The extension of the pipeline was designed to carry oil from the tar sands in Alberta, Canada, to the U.S. Gulf Coast in Texas.
Maggie L. Fox, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project, issued the following statement:
“This announcement is a victory in the fight against dumping more carbon pollution into our atmosphere and a positive step towards fuel choices for a sustainable future. If built, this pipeline would bring one of the dirtiest fuels on earth all the way from Alberta, Canada to the U.S. gulf coast for almost 50 years. A lifecycle analysis from “well to wheels” shows that oil from Canadian tar sands has a larger carbon footprint than any other fossil-fuel based transportation fuel on the planet. The EPA estimates that annual well-to-tank carbon pollution from the Keystone XL pipelines could be as much as 82% higher than average crude refined in America. This amounts to an additional 27 million metric tons of carbon pollution, the equivalent of adding roughly 4.8 million cars to our roads. If we are going to solve the climate crisis, we cannot go down this road.”
“Instead of building pipelines to transport the world’s dirtiest transportation fuel 1,700 miles, we need to invest in clean energy and energy efficiency. Clean energy is already the fastest growing industry in the U.S. today and one of the fastest growing worldwide. We have a choice to make about our energy future: stay with the dirty fuels of the past, or move forward with clean energy.
“We still have a lot of work to do in the fight against climate change but today we can breathe a little easier now that plans for this polluting pipeline have been put on a shelf.”
For more information on the Climate Reality Project go to: climaterealityproject.org
Maggie L. Fox Statement on Climate Reality Gaming Concepts Event
DATE: December 2, 2011
CONTACT: Eric Young, 703-217-6814, press@climatereality.com
Today, The Climate Reality Project met in New York with PSFK and other leaders in the gaming community to announce the results of an exciting project called Gaming for Good. Together with PSFK we posed a challenge to the global gaming and creative communities: Design new gaming concepts that will help change the conversation about the climate crisis.
Over 60 agencies from around the world submitted concepts. Today, The Climate Reality Project revealed ten submissions. You can find out more about the submissions here: http://www.psfk.com/2011/12/gaming-for-good-concepts-to-support-the-climate-reality-group.html
Maggie L. Fox, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project, issued the following statement:
“When PSFK asked us to join them in challenging the gaming community to apply their creative skills to help fight the climate crisis, we knew it was an extraordinary opportunity. The results of the challenge have confirmed our initial reaction. The gaming concepts these teams have created can be used by individuals, communities, organizations and even nations to acknowledge the reality we are facing and work toward solutions.”
“Gaming presents us with new and innovative ways to engage more people in the climate fight–interesting, fun and empowering ways to make change. Many of the submissions we offered today will help more people focus on solutions in creative and original ways.”
Statement on Release of IPCC Extreme Weather Report
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2011
CONTACT: Eric Young, 703-217-6814, press@climatereality.com
Washington, D.C. — The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report today that confirms what scientists have long been telling us: Manmade climate change has increased our vulnerability to extreme weather. More than 100 scientists from around the world contributed to the Special Report for Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX).
Maggie L. Fox, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project, issued the following statement:
“This report is further evidence that climate change is real and it is happening today. In 2011, in the United States alone, there have been a minimum of 10 extreme weather events that cost more than a billion dollars each.”
“The scientific evidence grows more clear that climate change is making certain types of extreme weather more likely. Heat waves and heavy rainstorms are the kinds of disasters scientists are telling us are more likely to happen due to our changing climate. We must therefore reduce the global warming pollution that is altering our climate. The threat is clear. The path forward to a clean energy future is also clear.”
Statement on the Australian Senate’s Approval of a Price on Carbon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2011
CONTACT: Eric Young, 703-217-6814, press@climatereality.com
Washington, D.C. – Today, Australia’s Senate passed groundbreaking legislation to help solve the climate crisis. The legislation will put a price on carbon for Australia’s largest polluters. The vote took place on the morning of November 8 (Australian Eastern Daylight Time). This legislation passed Australia’s House of Representatives last month.
Maggie L. Fox, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project, issued the following statement:
“With this legislation, Australia will reduce carbon pollution, produce more energy from renewable sources, and stand up to the reality of climate change. Today, Australia joined leading countries around the world that recognize climate change is real, humans are causing it and we must act now. We applaud Australia’s leaders for taking action – it’s clear that we cannot afford to waste any more time.”
Statement on the Passage of Climate Legislation in Australian House of Representatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 12, 2011
CONTACT: Eric Young, 703-217-6814, press@climatereality.com
Washington, D.C. — Today, Australian lawmakers passed what would be the nation’s first and the world’s strongest price on the carbon pollution that is causing the global climate crisis. By a vote of 74-72, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would require Australia’s largest polluters to pay a fee for the carbon pollution they emit.
This groundbreaking legislation will put Australia on the path to reduced pollution, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and increased investment in renewable energy. It now goes to Australia’s Senate for a vote.
Maggie L. Fox, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project, issued the following statement:
“From droughts to rising seas to a threatened Great Barrier Reef, Australia is especially vulnerable to climate change. The overwhelming scientific consensus tells us the time for action is now. And today, Australia acted, setting an example for the world to follow. Despite the industry scare tactics and the baseless claims of science deniers, Australia’s leaders have stood up for reality and taken an important step toward solving the climate crisis.”
Al Gore Announces New Campaign and Worldwide, 24-Hour Event to Mobilize Climate Change Action
24 Hours of Reality event to be produced by The Climate Reality Project, formerly the Alliance for Climate Protection.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2011
CONTACT: Eric Young, 202-567-6823, press@climatereality.com
Washington, D.C. — Today, The Climate Reality Project (formerly the Alliance for Climate Protection) announced a new global campaign to broadcast the reality of the climate crisis and mobilize citizens to help solve it. The campaign kicks off with 24 Hours of Reality, a worldwide, live streamed event on September 14-15.
During the 24 Hours of Reality event, people all around the globe living with the impacts of climate change will connect the dots between recent extreme weather events — including floods, droughts and storms — and the manmade pollution that is changing our climate. From Tonga to Cape Verde and Mexico City to Alaska, the event will feature scientists, celebrities, business leaders and concerned citizens, along with former Vice President Al Gore. It will be broadcast live online over 24 hours, in 24 time zones and in multiple languages.
“The climate crisis knows no political boundaries. Ferocious storms and deadly heat waves are occurring with alarming frequency all over the world. We are living with the reality of the climate crisis every day. The only question is, how soon can we act?” said Vice President Gore.
This campaign comes at a critical time. As the impacts of climate change are growing more prevalent, so is the resistance to finding the truth and implementing solutions. Just like the tobacco companies that spent decades in denial that smoking causes cancer, oil and coal companies are determined to sow denial and confusion about the science of climate change, ignore its impacts, and create apathy among our leaders. This event is the first step in a larger, multi-faceted campaign to tell the truth about the climate crisis and reject the misinformation we hear every day.
“Fossil fuel companies and their allies will go to great lengths to deny the fact that climate change is happening now,” said Maggie L. Fox, President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project. “But we have one powerful response: Reality. We will dedicate our resources toward educating and engaging the public about the reality of the climate crisis and helping build the global movement for change.”
The 24 Hours of Reality event will feature a new multimedia presentation, created by Vice President Gore, on the connection between extreme weather events and the climate crisis. All viewers of the event, online and in person, will be invited to take part in specific activities to help solve the climate crisis. This event will be organized by The Climate Reality Project, a new name for Vice President Gore’s nonprofit organization, the Alliance for Climate Protection. Since it was founded, the Alliance has organized more than 5 million members and supporters, while building powerful campaigns such as Repower America and the WE Campaign. The new campaign will incorporate the more than 3,000 activists of The Climate Project who have been personally trained by Vice President Gore to deliver his slide show around the world.
For more information, please go to www.climaterealityproject.org