Patt Morrison for Monday, September 27, 2010

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Monday, September 27, 2010

1-3 p.m.

 

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

 

1:06 – 1:58:30

OPEN

 

 

2:06 – 2:30

Deficit of ideas on overcoming the federal deficit

It’s politically sexy to hate annual budget deficits—Democrats, Republicans and independents all state the closure of budget deficits, and eventual elimination of the national debt, as policy priorities.  And yet, there are no solid ideas on how to get there, without causing major pain for some segment of the American public (seniors on Social Security, impoverished Americans relying on social services) or major political pain for the political parties.  Enter former United States Comptroller General David Walker, who is leaving his post as CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation to spearhead a new fiscal initiative aimed at promoting and achieving solutions to our current economic crisis. The Comeback America Initiative, which has received a three-year grant from PGPF, will attempt to create fiscal solutions and engage the public in implementing such solutions. Walker is here to discuss his new initiative, and we ask, “Does the country have what it takes to battle the debt?”

 

Guest:

David Walker, former Comptroller General of the United States and current President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. He will soon be leaving to serve as the Founder and CEO of the Comeback America Initiative, which will promote fiscal solutions, including those outlined in his book, Comeback America:  Turning the Country Around and Restoring Fiscal Responsibility.

CALL HIM:

 

 

2:30 – 2:58:30

Geoengineering – our last hope in fighting global warming?

Most scientists believe global warming poses a threat to our lives here on Earth. But how can we fix it? There is talk of alternative fuels: wind, solar, tidal, and geothermal power, as well as recycling, cutting emissions, etc. But so far, some say, little has been accomplished.  So what if humans could alter the climate by changing Earth itself? Some countries and entrepreneurs are conducting geoengineering research to see if this approach is feasible and safe. Many environmentalists shudder at the idea – political, ethical, and social consequences of such action could be huge and very negative. So if humans refuse or are unable to change, is it possible to mess with Mother Nature and make her change for us?

 

Guests:

Stewart Brand, author of Whole Earth Discipline: An Ecopragmatist Manifesto and Co-founder and President, The Long Now Foundation

CALL HIM:

 

Jane C. Long, Fellow at the Center for Global Security Research and Principal Associate Director at Large, Livermore National Laboratory
CALL HER:

·        We need to do geoengineering research -- we don't know what will happen and it might be very bad.  It is clearly premature to plan deployment, but we need to know more. 

·        Geoengineering will never substitute for mitigation, but it could be part of an overall climate strategy.

·        We have to be careful about how we do this research and must include careful societal governance.

·        There is tension between the urgency of getting research going and the caution required to do research with public engagement.  We need to balance these two needs.

 

 

 

Jonathan Serviss

Producer, Patt Morrison Program

Southern California Public Radio

NPR Affiliate for Los Angeles

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626.583.5171, office

415.497.2131, mobile

jserviss@kpcc.org / jserviss@scpr.org

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