(Technically Sent September 27th...)

Dear SNCA members:

Our guest editor for this SNCA Newsletter is Demetra McBride. She'd better be careful what she volunteers for. She's done such a great job we might just have to set her to task every time. But no, we want to give others a chance. Anybody else want to try their hand? Let us know at sarasota.climate.action@gmail.com. All the entries are by Demetra here unless otherwise noted.

Teachers & Students: Check out the Union of Concerned Scientist interactive weblink , " Gulf Coast 's Ecological Heritage at Risk," which demonstrates state-by-state impacts of climate change on natural and managed ecosystems. The site also includes a curriculum guide, fact sheets, and PowerPoint Presentations, as well as a regional analysis. http://www.ucsusa.org/gulf

Scientists report that an extreme extinction event among amphibiansmay turn even more significant than predicted. Climate change, pollution, and the proliferation of a deadly fungus – itself linked to global warming – threatens 1/3 of the world's 5,918 known amphibian species. Moreover, research also indicates a simultaneous fall in the world's reptile population. Read more on this subject, including the efforts of a scientist collective ( Amphibian Ark ) to establish a global network of amphibian sanctuaries among zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens. http://news.mongabay.com/2007/0416-frogs

Carbon Tax Shifting An article in the September issue of the Washington Newsletter of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) outlines how we should be looking at the concept of carbon tax shifting as a fair way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It means that Congress would phase in taxes based on the use of fossil fuels, setting a schedule for significant future carbon tax increases. The response across the economy would be relatively quick and dramatic. Consumers, investors, utilities, and manufacturers would all begin making new choices and developing new business plans. The economy would shift away from fossil fuels toward energy efficiency and expanding renewable energy resources. This would be a powerful tool to transform the US economy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the required 80% by 2050.

So where's the shift? Because it's true that carbon taxes would hurt poor and low-income households most, Congress will have to cushion the effects on these people as well as displaced workers by reducing other taxes for them. And the more households reduce consumption of carbon fuels, the more they should benefit from the tax shift. For more information on this go to the Carbon Tax Center at www.carbontax.org.

Contributed by June Cussen

Chris Goodall, author of How to Live A Low-Carbon Life : The Individual's Guide to Stopping Climate Change ( c.goodall@which.net) gives two thumbs up to Surviving the Century: Facing Climate Chaos and Other Global Challenges, edited by Herbert Girardet (Earthscan, 2007). Girardet looks back over the last decade with the original climate change pioneers, including journalist Ross Gelbspan and German renewable energy innovator Hermann Scherr. The book is unique in that it does not limit the causal connections of climate change to science, technology or behavioral patterns, but also addresses the global use of power and global capitalism as a cause or as a deterrent to managing the crisis. www.nature.com/news

"Climate Change Brings Risks of More Extinctions" In this third chapter of his investigative reports on climate change, Washington Post Staff Writer David A. Farenthold examines ecosystem and biological changes that have already occurred. Examples include a significant and escalating loss of Maryland 's Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to a creeping inland saltwater lake. In addition, the report brings attention to how climate change instigates critical alterations – not just extinctions – among the planet's plant and wildlife. Washington Post, September 17, 2007, Page A07.

Come Fly With Me .. . . . Boeing is teaming up with Virgin Atlantic and engine-maker GE Aviation to develop a biofuel-propelled 747. The companies are testing a number of biofuels, using alternative material from soybeans to algae. At present, the commercial airline industry accounts for 11% of greenhouse gases emitted by the United States (vs. 56% for automobiles). Boeing and Virgin recognize that growth anticipated for the travel and airline industries means that percentage will increase, and are trying to get ahead of the trend's impacts. It is hoped that biofuels will ultimately reduce flight-related greenhouse gas emissions by 60%-80%. New aircraft technology is already showing some environmental dividends – the new Boeing 787 produces 20% lower emissions per passenger than comparable planes from older technology. http://www.nrdc.org/news See also, Angel Gonzalez, Seattle Times.

Man-Induced CO2 Emissions May Render Ocean Chemistry in Violation of the EPA's Quality Criteria. Scientists are predicting that human-induced carbon dioxide emission may alter ocean chemistry to the point where it will violate U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Quality Criteria by mid-century.  An international team of 25 leading scientists participated in the study, which surmizes that a major effort to curtail CO2 emissions is needed to avoid double the current concentrations by the end of this century.   The earth's oceans sequester approximately 1/3 of all atmospheric emissions, but an imbalance of excess CO2 is rendering the planet's oceans increasingly acidic, resulting in decline among coral reefs and other calcifying organisms, corrosion to crustacean shells, disruption of new coral formation, and suppressed oxygen supply.
Geophysical Research Letters, September 25, 2007 issue.

Let's Play Ball!Boston, September 20, 2007 The Boston Red Sox have announced a partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council to take Fenway Park "green." The program will include a new recycling program, solar panels, earth-friendly procurement, and a concessionaire redux to provide environmentally-friendly and locally-grown organic snacks and treats. http://www.nrdc.org/media/2007/070920e