If you pay attention to the rhetoric between climate change supporters and climate change deniers, you would think that it is a polarizing issue; that you could predict by political party affiliation which way the public will fall on climate and energy issues.

A new poll says this is not true. The majority of all people, regardless of political party, believe that global warming should be a political priority and they want their elected officials to do something about it.

According to Anthony Leiserowitz of the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication “when you look at a policy like should the nation make a major investment in clean energy, everybody supports that. I mean, in some cases, we found nine out of ten Americans support a national investment in clean energy….People come to support the exact same policy, albeit for very different reasons. The alarmed and the concerned, they support clean energy because they're worried about carbon emissions and reducing climate change. But the doubtful and dismissive don't believe in climate change, but they support those exact same policies because they resonate with their deeply held values and concerns, mainly that we are so dependent on fossil fuels and other countries for the energy that runs much of our modern society.”

Indeed, a majority of Americans from both political parties are ready for the "grand bargain,” an increase in taxes on old energy sources (oil, coal, and natural gas) in return for a reduction in income tax rates across the board. They are ready for a new national climate and energy policy to emerge. They are also ready to support new, cutting edge energy technologies and they recognize that climate change is starting to affect extreme weather events. In fact, 82 percent said they were personally affected by a climate-related extreme weather event of one kind or another last year and are ready to do something about it.

These are some of the key findings in a new poll released by researchers at Yale and George Mason universities in a project called "Climate Change in the American Mind." The survey looks at what Americans believe about new energy technologies as well as new or emerging climate policies.

For more information:

Listen on NPR

Download the full report:

Yale Project on Climage Change Education (PDF 2.1MB)

With the start of 2012, I thought it would be useful to highlight the positive actions taking place right now to transition Minnesota towards clean energy.

Minnesotans spend at least $20 billion a year for energy. Most of that money goes to other states that are rich in fossil fuels and leaves Minnesota with polluted air and water. With the right policies, Minnesota’s transition to clean energy can bring those dollars home to communities throughout our state in the coming decades.

At a forum last September, speakers explained how distributed wind and solar energy differs from centralized or base energy and how the coming energy revolution can democratize the electricity system. John Farrell, Director of the Energy Self Reliant States and Communities Program at the Institute of Local Self Reliance, helped in planning and arranging the forum sponsored by Think Again Minnesota. We encourage you to watch the video!

Speakers included:

• Lynn Hinkle, Policy Development Director Minnesota Solar Industries Association
  • The Green-Blue Alliance: Solar Energy and Labor Issues in Relation to Clean Energy Development
• John Farrell, Director, Energy Self Reliant States and Communities Program Institute for Local Self Reliance
  • How Distributed Wind Development Can Grow Jobs and Contribute to Economic Development in Minnesota
• George Crocker, Executive Director, North American Water Office
  • The Importance of Community Organizing for Developing Distributed Renewable Energy

Co-sponsored by:

• Bloomington Progressive Issues Forum
• Institute for Local Self Reliance
• Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light
• Minnesota Renewable Energy Society
• MN350.org
• North American Water Association
• Oxfam America
• Small Business Minnesota
• Pew Environment Group
• Think Again MN
• Will Steger Foundation

Student Group Delivers Over 1000 Petitions to Ask for Clean Energy

Campus Beyond Coal members, UMN-TC students, and community members gathered outside Xcel Energy Inc. on Wednesday, December 7th to deliver petition cards, hear individual’s clean energy stories, and stand for clean energy and a clean future for Minnesota. Students and community members carried wind turbines to demonstrate that the path toward a clean energy future involves renewable energy and energy efficiency. Student leaders and community members representing the Sierra Club, Will Steger Foundation, Campus Beyond Coal, and the Minnesota Youth Environmental Network were present.

Six Midwest Youth Climate Orgs Receive Funding for Critical Initiatives

The Will Steger foundation has been a key ally in building the youth climate moment across the Midwest. Since 2007 WSF has been actively working with partner organizations across the generational spectrum to support youth climate leadership across the region. This includes a robust network of youth organizations and a close relationship with the RE-AMP network, a coalition of over 120 environmental non-profit organizations and Foundations across the Midwest.

WSF has played a key role in connecting Midwest youth organizations with RE-AMP funding opportunities, specifically in regards to RE-AMP 'Allies' Funding through the Global Warming Strategic Action Fund. This includes outreach and engagement to strategic youth allies, mentorship on grant proposals, and facilitation of regional communication among Midwest youth applicants to foster a coordinated approach to the RE-AMP funding opportunity. The following is a list youth initiatives funded by RE-AMP in 2011. WSF is proud to support these vibrant initiatives and recognizes the critical role they play in the larger environmental movement.

GELT organizers worth with local youth in Highland Park MI

Global Exchange: Green Economy Leadership Training, Detroit, MI

Global Exchange's Green Economy Leadership Training (GELT) program educates, engages and empowers youth to be active agents of change in building the necessary clean energy, green economy future. The program trains youth and community members in practical skills that will empower them to improve their communities, such as environmental justice, energy conservation, renewable energy, green building technology, water conservation, waste diversion (recycling and composting), urban agriculture and food security and urban forestry. Seizing the opportunity to begin a new era of organizing, the GELT program deploys community-based solutions that break from conventional thinking and puts the emphasis on empowering individuals and communities.

Little Village Environmental Justice Organization: Neighborhood Transit Access

LVEJO organizers demand transit access

Little Village environmental Justice Organization(LVEJO) has created the coalition 'Communities for a 31st Bus Route' to advocate for transit access for 6 different Chicago neighborhoods, including Little Village (noted as one of the top 6 most polluted areas in the Chicago Metro), and to serve a ridership of over 100,000 people, mostly low-income. Along with a dozen diverse partners, the transit access campaign engages local youth through LVEJO programming in leadership training, community outreach, and grassroots organizing. The campaign will target key legislators and seeks to save up to 500 tons of C02 per year.

Grand Aspirations: Our Power Campaign, Minneapolis/Iowa City

Grand Aspirations is expanding its Our Power campaign in South Minneapolis, MN and replicating it in Iowa City, IA. The campaign focuses on building diverse alliances in support of energy efficiency and clean energy at the neighborhood and city level and integrating implementation of energy efficiency and clean energy with movement building. Our Power unites local youth, community groups, and businesses from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in support of a clean energy economy. Local and national youth leaders will act as community energy leaders to engage 500 residents and 50 businesses in Minneapolis, and 125 residents and 10 businesses in Iowa City, in energy efficiency and clean energy measures.

Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group: Energy Service Corps Program

Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) is in the second year of its Energy Service Corps Program launched in partnership with Americorps. Through direct citizen outreach and partnerships with local institutions the program engages youth leadership at the University of Wisconsin Steven's Point and the University of Wisconsin Madison in reaching diverse constituencies with demonstrations, presentations, and home inspections that highlight the potential of efficiency to save energy, save the environment and save money. Student "Energy Efficiency Ambassadors' will encourage residents to conduct subsidized energy audits and home weatherization.

MPIRG student organizers at the University of MN Morris

Minnesota Public Interest Research Group: Minnesota Youth Alignment

Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) seeks to engage it's statewide youth network in support of the following 3 key campaign areas funded by RE-AMP for member organizations in Minnesota. Solar Works for Minnesota: MPIRG will leverage it's relationships of three University of MN campuses to push to legislature for guaranteed pricing for public buildings that develop solar and other renewable energy resources. Defend Clean Energy Laws and Regulations: MPIRG will engage, educate and mobilize it's student network in defense of Minnesota's clean energy policy foundation. Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled: MPIRG will launch an education and advocacy campaign targeting Duluth Transit Authority and push for transit solutions that better serve the needs of student riders.

Illinois Student Environmental Coalition: Chicago Coal Campaign

ISEC organizers join a human banner targeting Chicago Mayor Emmanuel

Illinois Student Environmental Coalition seeks to continue its collaboration with the Chicago Clean Power Coalition(CCPC) to retire two existing coal plants in the city. The campaign is at a critical juncture and support from students is essential to advancing the work of the coalition. ISEC has been key to the CCPC movement over the past year and will continue to work with the Coalition to empower and engage it's state network of student leaders to effectively target the Mayor of Chicago and City Council.