What about the polar bears?

While the DNC has been putting on an amazing show this week, the jubilation of the DNC is masking many of the important issues that Democrats must resolve once we take back the White House. Let's take a break from all the flag waving and confetti, and have a real conversation about poverty in America, the healthcare crisis, our economy, the war in Iraq...Or how about the most important issue: global warming. New data released today shows that sea ice in the Arctic could hit a record low (again) by September.

A double whammy- as this sea ice melts, it releases methane gas which is 10x more potent as a greenhouse gas (GHG) than carbon dioxide. As if the melting of the arctic ice wasn't punishment enough for the polar bears struggling to make it to the shoreline, now the melting of the ice is intensifying the already catastrophic warming cycle.

IPCC Chairman said that we had "until" 2012 till we passed the tipping point, but could it be happening now??

"Five climate scientists, four of them specialists on the Arctic, told The Associated Press that it was fair to call what was happening in the Arctic a “tipping point.” “We could very well be in that quick slide downward in terms of passing a tipping point,” said Mark Serreze, a senior scientist at the data center, in Boulder, Colo. “It’s tipping now. We’re seeing it happen now.”

Great.

Now you understand why you have to be doing everything you possibly can to live more sustainably. Take those canvas bags to the grocery store, ride your bike, turn off the lights, shut off your laptop, unplug your microwave when not using it, shop at the local farmers market, etc. Every little bit helps.

While Democrats may not be mentioning global warming outright, the Democratic Party went to great lengths to "Green" the DNC as best they could. Check out details here: http://www.demconvention.com/greening-the-2008-democratic-national-convention/

The Convention has started!!

Well, if you're a political junkie like me who is bummed that they didn't make it to Denver, you've been glued to CNN all afternoon as the Democratic National Convention has begun. Of course, the talking heads are doing an excellent job of over analyzing everything.

Caroline Kennedy gave a great introduction to her "Uncle Teddy" after a stirring video tribute. Defying his doctors orders, Kennedy headed to Denver to address the convention. Good ol' Teddy, such a fighter. He gave such a rousing speech. Maria Shriver was brought to tears in the crowd. Where's her hubby?

Michelle Obama also just gave an excellent speecht. I was moved. And the Obama daughters- how adorable are they?

I am a bit disappointed in the lack of focus on environmental issues and the "impressive" greening efforts by the Democratic party to make this the greenest convention ever. The sustainability coordinator for the DNC is a UCSB Environmental Studies Dept graduate! Go figure.

Not in Denver? Don't have TV? Keep watching CNN for coverage, and check out these online news sources and blogs to stay up to date:

Official DNC website- http://www.demconvention.com/ This choice is kind of obvious. You're not going to get the best details /analytical coverage, but you can watch live coverage of the DNC? That's pretty sweet.

Pushback- http://www.pushback.org/ The blog of Campus Progress has several young journalists at the DNC offering their fresh, progressive updates. Definitely check this website out if you tire of all the talking heads.

The Caucus- http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/ NY Times blog offers up to the minute updates on what's happening at the DNC.

Huff Po- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/25/democratic-national-conve_n_121201.html Huffington Post has a great blog/live video coverage going

Campus Dems will be hosting an Obama speech watching party this Thursday when he accepts the nomination. We'll be at Javan's in Isla Vista.


It's only going to get better as the week goes on.... Stay tuned!

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