Contact your Congressional Representatives Today

September 13, 2009 – I’ve happened upon a terrific new source of climate change information - and inspiration! - I’d like to share with you. It’s called http://www.climateradio.org/, and with Copenhagen fast approaching, the time for listening is NOW. The programs originate from England, so for Americans, Climate Radio

offers the opportunity to hear what not only the British, but also countries that are part of the EU, have to say about the upcoming climate negotiations.

The current program – The 300-350 Show – focuses largely, though not solely, on what are described as Climate Camps. These are places activists can go to learn about climate change and to enact civil disobedience. Described as a grassroots movement, the camps can be found in Europe, North America, and Australia. At some point in the near future I will devote an article to this growing phenomenon. Other programming examines closely the ideals, goals, and fears of representatives from the 200 nations that will participate in December in Copenhagen. The name of the show is derived from the need to limit air pollution to 350 ppm (parts per million), one of the issues to be discussed in December. (It is my understanding that we’re at 387 now, with 400 being widely regarded as a point at which some of the severer effects of global warming will begin to kick in.)

Past shows, all of which are available for immediate listening, include The Low Carbon Show, Climate Confidential, and The 2 Degrees Show, that last name representing what was once viewed as the maximum temperature increase in degrees Celsius that could be allowed before the weather would become badly crazed, with some of the worst effects of global warming being realized. Scientists are now saying the actual increase must not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius.

I highly recommend this website for its accessibility, its thorough coverage of the Climate Camps movement, and its up-to-the-minute reporting on the negotiations taking place, and reports being issued, prior to the historic event taking place in December in Copenhagen. Human beings will know much more about what the future holds for all of us once the goals governments will work toward are decided upon.

What, you may well ask, can be found on American airwaves? Earthbeat Radio, that’s what. Originating from Washington, D.C., Earthbeat Radio (www.earthbeat.org/home/) has been keeping listeners well informed since 2003. Syndicated to over 40 stations in the United States (including WCRS in Columbus, Ohio – 102.1 and 98.3), Earthbeat views its mission as one of “bring[ing] high-quality ‘advocacy journalism’ to the climate crisis using creative, in-depth reporting that both informs and helps build the clean-energy community needed to solve the problem.” Newsmakers in environmental justice, climate science, and international trade join Daphne Wysham and Mike Tidwell each week so that Earthbeat can fulfill that mission.

I highly recommend this website for the variety of topics covered, and for the depth of its archives, all of which are immediately available. Happy Listening!