Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has announced that as soon as the Senate returns from the Memorial Day break she will force a vote on a resolution to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from capping global warming pollution. That’s odd. As the public is waiting to see how the government will respond to the most massive oil spill in our history, an oozing killer that is turning Louisiana’s state bird, the brown pelican, into the black pelican, it appears that Murkowski is asking for more of the same.

Wednesday’s introduction of a Senate proposal to curb global-warming from Sens. John Kerry (Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (Conn.) — called the American Power Act — was long overdue and offers our last best opportunity to take immediate action this year that addresses the massive challenge of addressing climate change in a comprehensive way.

At the recent Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference in Washington, DC, a lot of panel discussions were about living green: clean energy, green infrastructure, and the like. However there was only one panel discussion that was about being brown – as in moving earth, taking out roads, and getting hands and work boots dirty, all in the name of fighting climate change and fueling a stagnating economy.

A gloomy forecast turned out to be completely wrong, and thousands of supporters of clean energy, wild places, and saving our planet turned out to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. April 25 to celebrate 40 years of Earth Day.

Even though Earth Day itself fell on a Thursday, supporters from across the country turned out to learn more about renewable energy, protecting our imperiled ecosystems, and listen to passionate speakers and excellent music.
 

This Earth Day promises to be truly special, not only because it’s the 40th anniversary, but because thousands of Americans from coast to coast will unite with the single goal of pushing a long awaited energy and climate bill past the finish line in Congress. If you’re looking for one important way to make a difference this Earth Day, this is it:

Join the masses of people who are urging the Senate to pass a clean energy and climate bill this year.