Welcome, New Readers!

Published August 1, 2009

If this is one of your first issues of Environment & Climate News, you are probably one of the 31,000 scientists participating in the Petition Project, signing a petition that states in part,

“There is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gases is causing or will, in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth’s atmosphere and disruption of the Earth’s climate.”

We applaud your courage in standing up for sound science in a debate that seems far more driven by the convenience of politics … and we have added your names to the complimentary mailing list for Environment & Climate News. Our total circulation now stands at approximately 75,000.

Environment & Climate News is a monthly publication providing the latest news on environmental science and public policy issues.

What makes Environment & Climate News unique is the publication’s focus on state and local governments. While delivering the latest news and information on a wide range of environmental topics—including climate change, clean air and water, land use regulations, species preservation, and technological advancements—Environment & Climate News reports how these issues affect, or are being addressed by, state and local governments.

Indeed, one of the most significant recent developments in environmental science and public policy is the growing importance of state and local governments. With increasing frequency, pivotal environmental issues are being debated and addressed at the state and local level rather than, or in addition to, the federal level.

For example, many states have responded to sensationalist claims about global warming by passing laws restricting carbon dioxide emissions or mandating the production of wind and solar power. Millions of U.S. citizens are feeling the economic pain of unnecessary carbon dioxide restrictions imposed by state and local governments … a pain that will only be made worse by restrictions the federal government is considering, as we discuss in this issue’s article addressing the Waxman-Markey cap-and-tax bill.

You are likely to recognize many of the experts who write for Environment & Climate News or who provide insight and analysis for our publication. Our contributing editors and other experts are nationally recognized for being at the very top of their respective fields.

As managing editor of Environment & Climate News, I am fully aware that your time is valuable and in short supply. Accordingly, we deliver the latest news, science, and public policy updates in a format that is concise and to the point.

We would welcome your participation in Environment & Climate News. If you’d like to be quoted by our reporters, for example, please let me know. I’d be happy to provide your contact information, and details about your areas of expertise, to our writers. And if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for stories you would like to see covered in future issues, please let me know!

Sincerely,

James M. Taylor
Managing Editor
[email protected]