Slowing Climate Change (General) + Agriculture + Energy Supply + Forests + Geoengineering + Industry + Residential and Commercial Buildings + Transportation + Waste Management

In this video, the citizens of Tucson, Arizona, talk about the challenges climate change poses for the city and about the "Power to Prepare Tucson" summit the city held earlier this year (2012) to address those challenges. The event, was a central part of Tucson's participation in WWF's Earth Hour City Challenge, a competition among U.S. cities to prepare for climate change and reduce carbon footprints.  

Do you have a good photo illustrating some action your community is taking to prepare for changing weather patterns, rising sea levels or other emerging impacts of climate change?  How about a photo showing ways in which your community is helping to reduce its carbon footprint?  If so, consider submitting it (by August 15, by 2 p.m. EDT!) to the Climate Change Photo Challenge of the Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences.

Congressman Cory Gardner, a freshman Republican representing a large part of northern and eastern Colorado, is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Gardner along with the majority of committee members, supports expanded U.S. production of fossil fuels. Pollutants released by those fuels are accumulating in the atmosphere and making his state and the rest of the Southwest hotter and drier. Gardner and many of his colleagues deny that fossil fuel use seriously threatens climate, and oppose regulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) under the Clean Air Act. While they promote policies that undermine Federal efforts to address the threat of climate change, their home states and districts are experiencing weather extremes -- and impacts -- that foreshadow the ultimate consequences of such policies.  The High Park Fire in Gardner's district has torched 87,284 acres, burned 257 houses and has cost $33.5 million to suppress. To the south, in Colorado Springs, the Waldo Canyon Fire destroyed 346 homes this week, and threatens over 20,000 more homes.

The City of Tucson was at the center of World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour celebration in the United States.  As the lights went out over the Sonoran Desert, the City of Tucson joined with WWF to launch a new initiative called the Earth Hour City Challenge. "The Earth Hour City Challenge will create a healthy competition among cities to chart a course to a climate smart future and recognize those cities that are leading the way," said WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts.