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Civic Action Assessment of Issue

1. I feel that my role as a citizen is to support the government while working to bring change to laws that are unjust and work to make lives better for all Americans

2. I have learned the importance of staying informed on political issues

3. Yes, I think it is my responsibility as well as everyone else’s to stay informed and work to protect our environment.

4. I attended a town hall lead by Congressman Mark Desaulnier, I was interviewed by the local news and here is a link to an article talking about my interview.

https://www.ktvu.com/news/east-bay-congressman-proposes-temporary-nationwide-e-cigarette-ban-hosts-town-hall

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Executive Action Assessment of Issue

1. Americans have long been told that our country is running out of energy, but we now know that is wrong. America’s energy revolution has produced affordable, reliable energy for consumers along with stable, high-paying jobs for small businesses—all while dropping carbon emissions to their lowest level in 25 years. American energy policy must balance environmental protection with economic growth in order to encourage innovation, discovery, and prosperity.

2. President Trump is a denier of climate change and instead of keeping the destructive fossil fuel corporations in power he needs to reform our countries energy grid and move us to a future based on renewable green energy

1. Department of Energy

2. The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

There is no mention of lowering carbon emissions

3. United States Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry is set to resign as Trumps energy secretary. He is a career politician who previously has called for the Department of energy to be abolished. Rick Perry is not fighting for green energy.

4. The Department funds cutting-edge research and the deployment of innovative clean energy technologies. The Department also encourages collaboration and cooperation between industry, academia and government to create a vibrant scientific ecosystem.

5. I believe that while the Department of Energy is an important institution, the current administration is not giving enough attention to decreasing our carbo emissions

6. E.P.A. to Limit Science Used to Write Public Health Rules

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/11/climate/epa-science-trump.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Subject - The Trump administration is preparing to significantly limit the scientific and medical research that the government can use to determine public health regulations, overriding protests from scientists and physicians who say the new rule would undermine the scientific underpinnings of government policymaking.

Author - Lisa Friedman is a reporter on the climate desk, focusing on climate and environmental policy in Washington. She has covered eight international climate talks and chased climate-related stories from the bottom of a Chinese coal mine to the top of snow-capped Himalaya Mountains.

Context - The measure would make it more difficult to enact new clean air and water rules because many studies detailing the links between pollution and disease rely on personal health information gathered under confidentiality agreements. And, unlike a version of the proposal that surfaced in early 2018, this one could apply retroactively to public health regulations already in place.

Audience - This article is directed at those who care and stay informed about environmental protection.

Perspective - The author takes the view that this is a negative decision, which it is.

Significance - This is significant because trump is making it easier for the interest of corporations to draw from the needs of the poor, as usual.

I do not agree with Trumps decision, he is putting the health of Americans at risk for special interests to skew politics.

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State and Legislative Action

Assembly member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan

a. “We have a responsibility as elected officials to protect the best interests of our constituents, our environment, and our state as a whole.”

b. I agree with Kahan’s message however I am not informed enough to know whether she has upheld this responsibility.

c. AB 1086 would have authorized the sale of the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area near Livermore, creating the pathway for ecological preservation.

Senator Steve Glazer

a. Senator Glazer has been a strong voice on the environment, casting important votes on such issues as California’s fight against global warming by setting new targets to reduce emissions. He also has voted for new standards to promote clean energy through renewable energy sources. He authored a tax-relief bill to encourage water conservation, and voted to block the federal government from drilling oil off our pristine coastline.

b. I agree with Glazer’s stance, it appears that he has dedicated more of his platform towards the addressing environment and carbon emissions.

c. SB 767.  Carnegie/Tesla Land Preservation – This bill would allow the Department of Parks and Recreation (Department) to sell the portion of the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) known as the “Alameda-Tesla Expansion” for conservation purposes, if the department determines that disposing of that land is in the public interest.

a. AB-1445 Climate change: emergency declaration and policy.

b. Introduced February 22, 2019

c. It appears no action has been made on this bill since it was introduced

d. I find it concerning that this bill has received no attention and has not passed yet. This is a small step to take in order to tackle the issue of carbon emissions destroying our planet. A yes vote should be a no brainer for every representative who truly cares about their constituents. 

Congressman Desaulnier

a. It appears that Congressman Desaulnier has not taken an official stance on the issue of climate change.

b. Desaulnier has not sponsored any legislation pertaining to climate change

c. The issue I am concerned about is the continued release of greenhouse gasses into our atmosphere slowly killing our planet.  I am concerned about this issue because my future depends on the wellbeing of our planet and I feel this issue should be the top priority for all lawmakers. I am currently a senior at Acalanes High School and I am researching this issue for my senior Government class. Please clarify your stance on this issue.  Thank you so much for your time.

Senator Harris

a. “Over the course of her nearly two terms in office, Kamala won a $25-billion settlement for California homeowners hit by the foreclosure crisis, defended California’s landmark climate change law” is the only mention of climate change i could find on Harris’s website

b. I could not find any legislation related to climate change sponsored by Senator Harris.

Senator Feinstein

a. Senator Feinstein has a proven record of fighting to protect our climate and eliminate harmful greenhouse gases.

Increasing fuel economy

Stopping destructive drilling

Mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions

Promoting the use of electric vehicles

Fighting wildfires from the air

Stopping air pollution

Promoting climate change education

Battery storage

Putting a price on carbon

b. Senator Feinstein is an original cosponsor of the Climate Change Education Act, which would support professional development for teachers; science, technology, health and engineering education; the development of climate literacy curricula; and improve the quality of and access to training and certification for green-collar jobs. The Climate Change Education Act would also establish a climate education program at the National Oceanic and Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

I support this piece of legislation, I think that it is important that our nation understands the effects and rapid rate of man made climate change.

a. There are many bills that pertain to the environment and climate change

b. Senate Bill S. Joint Res. 53, Should the EPA’s Clean Energy Rule be Repealed?

c. This bill is an attempt to repeal the Trump administrations climate policy, a policy that is destructive to the future of our planet.

d. The Trump admin’s clean energy rule is a major step back for America’s energy future. It should be repealed to ensure that polluters are regulated and pollution reduction is a priority to ensure community and environmental health. If it’s allowed to stand, the ACE rule will allow increased greenhouse emissions and their attendant ill effects.

e. I would vote yay, out of concern for the future of our planet i believe we need to increase regulation on energy.

f. This bill began in the Senate and was rejected

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Political Interest Groups, and PACs Assessment

a. Citizens for Global Solutions

b. A democratically governed world. To build political will in the United States for international cooperation and democratic global institutions that establish peace, justice and sustainability under the rule of law.

c. Priorities are finding solutions for:

- Representation of all peoples at the global level to solve global challenges

- Safeguarding and strengthening human rights, humanity’s birthright

- Stopping nuclear weapons proliferation and unregulated nuclear systems

- Genocide and political inaction, and failure to protect vulnerable populations

- Global warming, this century’s greatest destabilizing crisis

d. Today Citizens for Global Solutions promotes its vision and mission through member activism and grassroots advocacy, program initiatives like thr Model UN Reform project, research and writing conducted by our “big-picture think tank” — the World Federalist Institute, and education and outreach efforts nationwide.

e. This group is located in Washington D.C., their closest chapter is in Los Angeles

f. They are seeking Bloggers to contribute timely analysis to our website’s popular blog. Bloggers will help us drive forward the conversation around the US’ role in building a more responsible and cooperative world or educating the US public about world federation.

g. A section of their website is dedicated to memes supporting their cause

a. California Environmental Justice Alliance

b. The California Environmental Justice Alliance is a statewide, community-led alliance that works to achieve environmental justice by advancing policy solutions. We unite the powerful local organizing of our members in the communities most impacted by environmental hazards

c. working for a future where:

All families live in a healthy neighborhood.

Toxic industries that pollute our land, water, and health are long gone.

Big polluting industry will be replaced by a truly green, locally based and sustainable economy.

We no longer rely on fossil fuels and dirty energy.

The lives of people and communities matter over corporate profits.

There are no barriers to opportunity for low-income communities and communities of color.

There is no discrimination in state policies and practices.

d. On June 5th, voters in California resoundingly rejected Proposition 70, the most controversial proposition on the June primary ballot, that was part of a long-term effort by Big Oil to attack and undermine efforts to address climate change.

e. They have offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Oakland. I couldn’t find information on any meetings coming up

f. I couldn’t find any current volunteer opportunities

g. CEJA has a list of green zones in California, communities working to lower their carbon footprint

1. It appears to me that CEJA is the more organized group, while they are smaller they seem to have more impact on legislation with more supporters in California.

a. Koch Industries

b. This PAC is focused on keeping the U.S. reliant on fossil fuels, Koch industries has interests in the petroleum and natural gas markets

c. Total Receipts $1,663,521 Total Spent $1,013,642 Begin Cash on Hand $1,917,486 End Cash on Hand $2,567,365

d. Dems. $13,500

Repubs. $523,000

e. The donors are all partners of Koch Industries or Koch family members, they all gain from the deregulation of their industry at the expense of our planet. This is shameful

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Political Party Action

Republican - 

 Climate change is far from this nation’s most pressing national security issue. This is the triumph of extremism over common sense, and Congress must stop it. The Republican Party does not seem to think of climate change as much of an issue at all. 

I strong disagree with this opinion, I think that addressing human caused climate change is possibly the biggest issue facing the world

Democrat - 

Democrats are committed to curbing the effects of climate change, protecting America’s natural resources, and ensuring the quality of our air, water, and land for current and future generations. From investing in clean energy to protecting our ecosystems, Democrats are working to address our biggest environmental challenges, paving the way to a more sustainable America.

I agree with this position, climate change is one the biggest threats to our future and we need to work towards a solution.

Libertarian -

 Competitive free markets and property rights stimulate the technological innovations and behavioral changes required to protect our environment and ecosystems. Private landowners and conservation groups have a vested interest in maintaining natural resources. Governments are unaccountable for damage done to our environment and have a terrible track record when it comes to environmental protection. 

I believe that our current system allows for individuals to ignore the environment for economic gains. We can’t rely on the market to regulate itself, it’s had its chance, the government needs regulate emissions and consumption.

Green - 

The Green Party supports the Green New Deal. The Green New Deal is a four part program for moving America quickly out of crisis into a secure, sustainable future. Inspired by the New Deal programs that helped us out of the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Green New Deal will provide similar relief and create an economy that makes our communities sustainable, healthy and just. 

I agree with the Green Parties stance, I support the Green New Deal. I think it is important for the United States to lead the way in transitioning out economy to a zero emissions state.

Peace and Freedom - 

The same corporate forces and economic system that exploit and brutalize the world's working class people are destroying the world's biosphere. These social policies and ecological destruction often overlap. Socialism is necessary to end the ecological destruction caused by capitalism. Our goal is a society that is in harmony with nature as it is in harmony with its own people.

I think that any extreme economic system can lead to issues. However, I think that we should move past letting corporations regulate themselves and that our government needs to step in to protect our climate. This could involve instituting socialist programs.

I would say I most closely agree with the Peace and Freedom party. I was surprised by this until now I had never heard of the Peace and Freedom party. I would probably not vote for this parties presidential candidate, at least in this next election, because it would draw votes away from democratic candidate. 

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Constitutional Issues

1. American Electric Power Co., Inc v. Connecticut

2. The case was decided during the Roberts Court

3. Eight states filed suit against four electric power companies and the Tennessee Valley Authority, five entities that they claimed were the largest sources of greenhouse gases. American Electric Power Co. and the other utilities argued that the courts should not get involved in the issue. The companies contended that only the Environmental Protection Agency can set emissions standards. 

4. Can states and private parties seek to curb emissions on utilities for their alleged contribution to global climate change? Can a cause of action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions be implied under federal common law?

5. The case decided the power of the federal government when it comes to regulating emissions.

6. The Supreme Court reversed and remanded the lower court order in a unanimous opinion by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. "The Clean Air Act and the EPA action the Act authorizes displace any federal common-law right to seek abatement of carbon-dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel fired power plants."

7. It is the role of the EPA to regulate greenhouse emissions

8. I disagree with the decision. I believe that the federal government should be able to regulate greenhouse emissions in order to bring an end to the main cause of climate change, an imminent and dangerous threat.

NYT - E.P.A. Accuses California of ‘Significant’ Air and Water Problems

Subject - In a letter to Gov. Gavin C. Newsom of California, Andrew Wheeler, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, accused the state of “deficiencies that have led to significant public health concerns” and issued a veiled threat that federal funding to the state could be at risk.

Author - Lisa Friedman is a reporter on the climate desk, focusing on climate and environmental policy in Washington.

Context - It is the latest in a series of aggressive actions that the Trump administration has taken against California since the state surprised the E.P.A. by signing a deal with four automakers that opposed a federal plan to roll back a national vehicle tailpipe pollution standard.

Audience - The audience for this article is people curious about the response to climate change in the United States.

Bias/Perspective - This article takes the perspective that climate change is an important and real issue and that the response our country is taking is not enough

Significance - This article is significant because it addresses the lack of action from the Trump administration towards slowing climate change and ensuring the welfare of our posterity

I personally agree with this story, it highlights the issues with the Trump administrations action and lack of enthusiasm when it comes to climate change. I think this article is valuable because it brings attention to the issues with our current approach to saving our futures.

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Media Assessment of Climate Change

False Reports of Amazon Fires Mislead, Undermine Trust (Right Leaning)

https://www.theepochtimes.com/false-reports-of-amazon-fires-mislead-undermine-trust_3055980.html

Subject - Reports of the Amazon rain forest fires have been sensationalized, drawing attention away from efforts to help.

Author - Gregory Wrightstone, geologist and author of Inconvenient Facts: The Science That Al Gore Doesn’t Want You to Know, seems to have a bias towards denying climate change issues

Context - Following recent media focus on unprecedented damage caused by fires in the Amazon, this article tries to describe the coverage of the amazon fires as an over reaction. This article comes from The Epoch Times, an outlet previously criticized for supporting the Chinese Communist Party and Donald Trump, both deniers of human caused climate change.

Audience - Presumably the audience of this article is people who deny or turn a blind eye to the damages of climate change as well as any other supporters of this right wing news source.

Perspective - This article focuses on discrediting media coverage on the Amazon fires, spinning the disaster as a common and expected part of the rain forest´s yearly activity.

Significance - This article could be taken at face value to a non-critical reader who may walk away viewing climate change issues as partisan and overly dramatized.

My Opinion - I found this article to have a strong bias and I disagree with the premise that environmental issues receive too much attention and are over exaggerated. I would say we need to focus on environmental issues more than we already do.

U.N. Says Agriculture Must Change To Prevent Worst Effects Of Climate Change (Centrist)

https://www.npr.org/2019/08/08/749323011/u-n-says-agriculture-must-change-to-prevent-worst-effects-of-climate-change

Subject - This article talks about the adverse effects of climate change when it comes to agriculture. Rising temperatures will make food harder to grow in most of the world

Author - Dan Charles, NPR food and agriculture correspondent

Context - This article is helping the reader to understand the negative consequences of climate change and the possible solutions when it comes to our future food sources.

Audience - This article was written for a more leftist viewer, someone who cares about the consequences of the rate humans are currently consuming resources along with ways to change their actions.

Perspective - This article takes a view of climate change geared towards addressing and solving the repercussions of any damage caused by humans.

Significance - This article is important for educating the public on our current environmental impact.

My Opinion - I think this article is a good response towards climate change, it educates the reader in a quick and clear way

People have donated millions to fight the Amazon fires. Will the money help? (Left leaning)

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/8/27/20835154/amazon-fires-charity

Subject - Following record breaking fires in the Amazon donations and social media posts about the issue spiked, but according to this article the responsibility of solving this issue falls on world leaders and the Brazilian government

Author - Terry Nguyen, Vox reporter who covers technology and transportation 

Context - This article follows the use of social media posts when it comes to peoples desire to contribute to a solution even when they have no direct bearing to the situation.

Audience -  This article is definitely geared at liberal readers and those critical of the way we respond to disasters and environmental issues.

Perspective - This article takes the stance that when it comes to climate change instead of retweeting and donating we need to take preventative measures and focus on fighting an issue before its too late.

Significance - This article points out the futility in some approaches towards raising awareness on social media as well as the real issue behind the Amazon fires, a lack of action on the part of Brazilian politicians. 

My Opinion - I believe that people should help raise awareness in any way they can whether it be through donations or social media, but I understand that some of these efforts may act more as a way of feeling like effort was made and less of actual help

All of these articles are critical of our current handling of the climate crisis. They all attempt to use facts and current events to backup a position. One of the articles attempts to play down the affects of global warming while the other two give solutions and analysis of the situation.

I identify with the article from NPR the most, I found it to be the most plain spoken as well as the least biased coverage of our climate issue, it is not pointing blame at anyone, just discussing the future and a solution.

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CONCEPTUALIZING THE ISSUE AND ASSESSING TYPES OF ACTION

1. I chose climate science and climate change as my civic action issue. Currently as I understand it with limited research so far climate change is the most all encompassing issue on the planet currently. everyone will be affected by climate change and everyone needs to contribute to slow down its consequences. This blog is my first step in contributing to a solution towards climate change

2. Climate change is a constant threat to the well being of the entire planet. It is important that everyone understand the gravity of a changing climate as well as the science behind the issue and the solution.

3. Currently I am not very informed on the technicalities and steps involved in solving man made climate change, but I understand part of the solution is complete independence from fossil fuels and a comprehensive understanding of the impacts our actions have.

4. Greenpeace - Greenpeace is an environmental advocacy organization

Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez - she proposed the Green New Deal which is a framework for slowing climate change

The Planet Earth - posts news articles relevant to the issues of renewable energy and climate change

Telsa - tweets about renewable and efficient transportation energy as well a linked account with Solar City one of the top solar companies

National Parks Conservation Association - dedicated to conserving national parks in the U.S.