KFTC Blog

A video released by the Earth System Research Laboratory, brought to our attention by Jim Bruggers and his Watchdog Earth blog, offers a visual depiction of the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide from 800,000 years ago to 2011.

This video illustrates the alarming trend in carbon dioxide emissions in the recent past. In pre-industrial society, our atmospheric CO2 was about 278 parts per million (ppm). But from 1979 to 2011 alone, carbon dioxide has gone from 336 to 391 ppm. Since the video was produced, CO2 levels have continued to climb and are now near 400 ppm on average worldwide, and have exceeded that level in the Arctic region.

KFTC members delivered a strong message Tuesday evening that the Beshear administration needs to be accountable for failing to enforce the Clean Water Act, and that the U.S. EPA should be allowed to do its job.

By not enforcing the law, there are serious health consequences for people who live near coal mining operations and downstream, members emphasized.

"Each time a [water pollution] permit is issued, the Beshear administration is killing citizens," testified Samantha Cole of Beattyville.

The seven people who were arrested today to help expose the complicity of Rep. Hal Rogers with those who are pillaging Appalachia have now been released.

They are Carey Henson, Erika Skaggs, Stanley Sturgill, Mary Love, Kat Wallace, Tress La'Ree and Teri Blanton.

They and other members of the Kentucky delegation, along with more than 100 other residents of Central Appalachia participating in the Week in Washington to End Mountaintop Removal, are waiting for the release of others who were arrested for refusing to leave the offices of members of Congress from other states.

Tonight's "Kentucky Tonight" will be about tax reform. 

The sponsor of our Kentucky Forward Revenue Plan, Rep. Jim Wayne, is among the scheduled guests.

The show is Monday, June 4 at 8:00/7:00 pm CT on KET.