NEWSWORTHY
Military panel finds that global warming may threaten U.S. national security

A study released by eleven of the most senior retired U.S. admirals and generals found that global warming presents a serious national security threat that could affect Americans at home, impact U.S. military operations, and heighten global tensions. “The U.S. should commit to a stronger national and international role to help stabilize climate changes at levels that will avoid significant disruption to global security and stability,” the Military Advisory Board recommended.

The study, “National Security and the Threat of Climate Change,” explores ways in which global warming acts as a “threat multiplier” in regions of the world that are already fragile. “People are saying they want to be perfectly convinced about climate science projections,” said retired U.S. Army General Gordon Sullivan. “But speaking as a soldier, we never have 100 percent certainty. If you wait until you have 100 percent certainty, something bad is going to happen on the battlefield.” Read the full report.

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY
An Inconvenient Truth comes to Minnesota

Al Gore's Oscar-winning film An Inconvenient Truth, seen by millions around the globe, features a slide show that Gore has presented worldwide. His slides review the scientific evidence for global warming, its impacts, and the need to significantly reduce global warming pollution in the very near future.

Now, Minnesotans have the opportunity to see Gore's slide show live at the Living Green Expo on Saturday, May 5th from 1:00PM to 2:45PM. The slide show will be presented by J. Drake Hamilton of Fresh Energy and Daniel Huff from the City of Minneapolis. Trained personally by Gore, Hamilton and Huff will explain the science in straightforward, commonsense terms. They’ll also highlight solutions, such as tough laws and regulations that require firm deadlines for emission reductions, as well as innovative technologies like wind and solar power.

Governor Tim Pawlenty has initiated the new Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group, convened to “identify, evaluate, and recommend” a plan that will substantially reduce the state’s global warming pollution, due February 1, 2008.

The nationally recognized Center for Climate Strategies (CCS)—a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that provides technical assistance to help states tackle global warming—will facilitate the group’s meetings. The advisory group is made up of a diverse group of stakeholders, including business leaders, utility executives, labor leaders, environmental advocates, faith leaders, and farmers. Fresh Energy’s J. Drake Hamilton is one of the appointees.

CCS’s recently completed climate plan for Arizona includes 49 action measures, which would cut emissions while the economy grows and provide $5.5 billion in net savings to Arizona’s economy.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Support global warming solutions for Minnesota

Thanks to you, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation curbing global warming on April 18. Now is the time to contact your state representative with this message: please support strong laws that would (1) reduce global warming emissions 80 percent by 2050 and (2) not make the situation worse while we work to make it better.

Call your representative's office any time—day or night—and leave a brief message on their voicemail or with their staff. Or send a personal letter (click here for a letter writing tip sheet). Your input makes a difference!

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Fresh Energy is honored to have been chosen as the beneficiary of the LEAD Project's next fundraising event. You're invited! Learn more at the LEAD Project website.