Rally For Climate Change

Earlier today, I attended a rally in support of the Boxer-Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. Don't look for me on CSPAN, though -- I was the short guy in the back holding the big sign.

The event went very well. Senators Lieberman, Kerry, Cardin and Snowe (from my home state of Maine!), as well as leaders of environmental organizations, including Frances Beinecke of NRDC, all showed up to lend their strong support for the bill. Senator Barbara Boxer, whose amendment and support has done much to advance the bill, presided.

Some highlights from the rally:

• Senator Cardin called Boxer the “energizer bunny,” and commented that if we could tap only half of her energy, the U.S. would not have an energy crisis.

• In quoting Bush’s rejection of the Bill because it would raise gas prices by 53 cents per gallon per year until 2030, according to an EPA estimate, Senator Boxer pointed out that gas prices have actually increased over 200% during Bush’s presidency. Senator Lieberman commented that every American wishes that gas would increase by that little.

• Senator Cardin pointed to the collapse of the blue crab populations as evidence of climate change. He also pointed to loss of coastal real estate, and suggested there were a hundred other stories he could tell about Maryland being effected by climate change.

• Senator Kerry, far from talking through applause lines, looked and sounded great. (Made me sad to think of the missed opportunity -- of all Kerry would have done for the environment over the past eight years.)

The outcome of the vote, set to happen soon, is uncertain. This despite a Nobel Peace Prize to the IPCC and absolute agreement from the scientific community. Despite support from all three presidential candidates. And despite clear evidence of the current effects of climate change.

At the time of this historic debate, we would do well to remember that the cost of inaction is greater than action. Americans feel like they can't afford the cost of energy -- and after fueling my gas tank this weekend to the tune of $60, I understand their anxiety -- but we forget that none of us can afford to lose the vitality of our natural ecosystems. What is the price of health? Of stability? Of peace? There is none; you can't price what you can't replace.

Let us hope that the Senate votes in accord with the long-term interests of the world, and not what they percieve to be the short-term interests of their constituents.

A handful of them gathered with us this afternoon in the shade of the park tucked between the Russell Senate Office Building and the U.S. Senate. But as we shouted -- "What do we want? Stop Climate Change! When do we want it? Now!" -- I wondered: will I live to see the time when the stage would be crowded with Senators voicing their support for the environment? When the most dangerous place in Washington would not be between a Senator and a camera, but a Senator and a smokestack? I hope so.