As a British DUer who has been

[bennywhale]

away from DU for about a year, can people please inform me of the state of the debate in America regarding Global Warming

What is the attitude amongst the polity?, the public? and the media?.

Also has there been, or is there planned any protest movements or campaigns to raise awareness and pressure government, people and business?

many Thanks in advance

[saltpoint]

1. The short summary is, SUV sales are up and assholes are still running the

government.

I wish we could be more encouraging. In truth, more Democrats than Republicans have called wasteful fuel consumption into question. Whether it emerges as a principal issue for national discourse in coming elections remains to be seen, but even many newspaper columnists now are raising concern.

Global warming, despite unquestioned consumption by many, is definitely more urgent a topic than it has been previously. In the past it was rejected out of hand. Not now. Hurricane Katrina exacted a heavy toll in human terms and global warming is often discussed now as contributing significantly to the ferocity of that storm.

In London recently, I was impressed with the public transportation in the UK generally, especially compared with my own country's miserable system.

There is a very slight uptick in awareness of and speaking out on conversion fuels such as ethanol. Not enough, but a little.

Nuclear energy is once more a viable consideration, unfortunately, and a very few environmental groups have even re-introduced it as a topic for consideration.

Some economists believe "the market" will dictate a return to smaller, more fuel-efficient automobiles, although GM and Ford don't appear to be in the vanguard of this movement, at least not prominently.

With fuel pump prices extremely high, filling the tank is not easy and is becoming less commonplace than before, and there is a growing awareness that the nation's economy, very fuel-dependent, is increasingly jeopardized. In the short run that's bad news for Bush and Republicans in November, but in the long run, a more comprehensive solution is required, and there's not much appetite for it.

Some environmentalists have pointed out, accurately, that the more unmanageable fossil fuels become economically and otherwise, the greater the incentive to develop alternative and renewable energy sources, and this is oft-cited as a silver lining and a more hopeful look down the road.

Al Gore's new film is said to deal with the environment in a way no film or any politician has yet to offer. There's talk that his focus is white-hot and true and that he might be very well-positioned to ride the intensity of this issue into the White House in 2008.

[phantom power]

2. Recent high gas prices are causing the usual...

"make it go away" rhetoric. Reaction, not policy. I thought this was the perfect example of American "discourse" on energy:

"Keep your $100 and Write an Energy Policy"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=52375&mesg_id=52375

[bananas]

3. There is no debate

it's mostly being ignored.

[NNadir]

4. It comes somewhere after Britney Spears second baby in priority.

That, in turn, comes after Bush's appearance with an impersonator.

That, in turn, comes way, way, way after some other guy who came on after Bush - some comedian - who didn't amuse the Emperor.

[Ready4Change]

5. Divided.

Some people know about it, and care.

Others either don't know, know and don't believe, or know and don't care.

Currently those who know and care don't have any traction vs the current Administrations stand. (ie: Global Warming? What Global Warming?)

[rfkrfk]

6. divided as to response

most people agree that something is happening to the climate.

the disagreement is to the response.
some states have acted. most have at least considered legislation.
many people do not want federal involvement, as states
keep their own greenehouse gas inventory.

the media discusses the issue, when there is nothing else.
the current issue, and for next two or three months,
is that a US Congressman had a road accident.

the closest thing the US has an 'awareness campaign' is
a Hollywood disaster movie, however seeing Tokyo getting
blasted by monsters appeals mainly to kids