Thousands demand action on climate change

Feb 18 - USA TODAY

In what was billed as the largest climate rally in U.S. history, thousands of people marched past the White House on Sunday to urge President Obama to reject a controversial pipeline and take other steps to fight climate change.

Organizers, including the Sierra Club, estimated that more than 35,000 people from 30-plus states -- some dressed as polar bears -- endured frigid weather to join the "Forward on Climate" rally, though crowd size could not be confirmed. Their immediate target is Obama's decision, expected soon, on the Keystone XL pipeline that would carry tar sands oil from Canada through several Great Plains states to Texas.

Bill McKibben, founder of the environmental group 350.org, described the 1,000-plus-mile pipeline as "one of the largest carbon bombs in history." Some climate scientists say the production of tar sands oil emits more greenhouse gases than conventional crude oil. Supporters, including the oil industry, say it would reduce U.S. dependence on unstable foreign sources of oil.

Marchers' signs read, "Read my lips: no new carbons," and "We're in a climate hole: stop digging." Another said, "Don't be frackin' crazy."

Michael Ware of Burlington, Vt., said extreme weather has convinced many Americans that climate change is serious: "What will Vermont any state look like in 20 years?"

Obama has pledged repeatedly to tackle climate change. Protesters said they are holding him to his word. They also want him to limit carbon pollution from both new and existing power plants. Last year, the EPA proposed limits only on new plants.

Obama rejected the initial 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline, saying more time was needed for environmental review.

Developer TransCanada got approval last year from the Army Corps of Engineers to begin construction of the 485-mile, $2.3 billion southern leg of the project from Cushing, Okla., to the Gulf Coast. Obama's pending decision involves the 1,179-mile, $5.3 billion northern leg, from Alberta to Steele City, Neb. Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, a Republican, has approved a route through his state.

http://www.energycentral.com/functional/news/news_detail.cfm?did=27610318