Representative Kate Knuth communicating change in Copenhagen
Posted on 18. Dec, 2009 by Chris Dohman in State Legislature, World
Representative Kate Knuth of New Brighton and district 50B (Shoreview, Fridley, New Brighton & Arden Hills) has been in Copenhagen this past week along with Representative Jeremy Kalin 17B for the United Nations climate change summit.
Knuth took part in an event on December 14 with the Center for Climate Strategies, the same group that led the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group. Knuth also participated in a panel discussion on state leadership on climate change yesterday with other panel participants including Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, Tribal Chairman James Steele of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana, and Alice Madden, climate change advisor to Colorado Governor Bill Ritter.
“We all need to be a part of addressing climate change, and the Midwest is already positioned as a leader in that effort,” said Rep. Knuth. “Business, labor, and policymakers at all levels will be part of the solution. When national policymakers get the market signals right for carbon reduction, state and local governments can help by creating better incentives and reducing barriers to creating the needed changes. That will pave the way for a new era of American leadership on clean energy and common sense environmental practices fueled by our innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic.”
The panel included a discussion of Minnesota’s work on clean energy, including Minnesota’s landmark 2007 Renewable 
Energy Standard authored by Knuth; progress on the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord; and Knuth’s work with the Coalition of Legislators for Energy Action Now (CLEAN.) Knuth is in Copenhagen as a policy mentor to the Will Steger Foundation youth delegation.
“Minnesota has led the way on clean energy and climate solutions. We have a nation-leading renewable energy standard, strong conservation and efficiency measures, and a commitment to regional solutions through the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord,” said Knuth. “As I’ve said before, climate change is the world’s biggest environmental challenge. It will affect today’s young people and the world they live in for generations. I’m hopeful that what we’re engaged in here in Copenhagen will lead to substantial improvements in the way we make and use energy, grow and sustain a new energy economy, and protect our environment.”
During her time in Copenhagen Representative Knuth has been blogging about the summit at the Eye on the Earth blog, producing press releases, and has made appearances in the local headlines, airwaves and even the following YouTube interview by Chalie Nevarez posted on the Stonyfield Farm Organic Yogurt YouTube channel.
- Waiting in Copenhagen -- Eye on the Earth
- Notes from Copenhagen- Eye on the Earth
- Young Elected Officials Call for Obama to Secure Clean Energy Economy -- It’s Getting Hot In Here
- Has climate change affected your view of nuclear power? -- MPR with audio of radio show
- Copenhagen climate change conference enters its final days -- MPR with audio of radio show
- Minnesota lawmakers head to Copenhagen to participate in 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference -- Knuth Release on MN St House page
- State Rep. Kate Knuth headlines Copenhagen panel: Participants discuss state’s leadership efforts on climate change -- Knuth Release on MN St House page
