Global Warming legislation a reality?

Well, the outlook sure looks better than it did on Monday. The AP reports that Senator Boxer pledges a shift on global warming policy,

"Time is running out, and we need to move forward on this," Boxer said of global warming during a conference call with reporters. "The states are beginning to take steps, and we need to take steps as well."

Boxer's elevation to chairwoman of the Senate Environmental Public Works Committee comes as the Democrats return to power in the Senate. It also marks a dramatic shift in ideology for the panel.

The California Democrat is one of the Senate's most liberal members and replaces one of the most conservative senators, Republican James Inhofe of Oklahoma. Inhofe had blocked bills seeking to cut the greenhouse gases contributing to global warming, calling the issue "the greatest hoax perpetrated on the American people."

Conservation organizations are definitely overjoyed at the ouster of skeptic-extraordinaire Sen. Inhofe, and looking forward to seeing what kind of legislation Sen. Boxer will bring before the committee. However, it is not our plan to simply wait and see. Conservationists have for too long "played defense," focusing all of our attention on blocking bad legislation instead of pushing forward on new, eco-friendly legislation. Now we have a chance to "play offense" and push our lawmakers to pass legislation that seriously addresses global warming. It is an opportunity that we as a community cannot waste.

MW