Blogging the Democratic Convention—Day 1

Maryland delegate Ryan Ewing reports for Physics Today Online on the science-related events at this week’s Democratic National Convention .

Arrival and Visible Sustainability

A first-time visitor to the Denver International Airport or anyone who hasn’t been through it lately will be struck by the large solar array on the airport grounds. The acres of solar panels show a Denver that is committed to renewable energy, and they are in line with the theme of a “green” convention here in the Mile-High City.

According to the Associated Press , “9,200 panels cover 7 1/2 acres beside the main highway to and from the airport terminal. The photovoltaic system will generate over 3 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year. City officials say that will reduce carbon emissions by more than 6.3 million pounds a year.”

This is one of many efforts evident in Denver’s new sustainability trend. Denver mayor John Hickenlooper is the public voice for this and other environmental efforts, including a fleet of 1000 public bicycles available to visitors to help them reduce their carbon footprints. The Democratic Party itself has taken some visible steps at the convention, staffing each waste area with a recycling volunteer to inform folks that every tray or container used at the Pepsi Center is biodegradable. Individual state delegations also had the opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of their travel, and if they did so, they received a special “green” designation above their placards.

But as an individual delegate, what you first find in your convention materials is literally a mixed bag. Along with the typical swag is literature about greening the convention, an invitation to “Sun Fest” (an outdoor concert and solar power festival), and even a Bisphenol-A-free water bottle to discourage the use of disposable ones. However, just like coal in Christmas stockings, there is also a “stress reliever"-style piece of fake coal endorsing support for coal power.

Science on the Schedule

Although Monday night at the convention was compelling for television, most notably because of speeches by Senator Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle Obama, and Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), there was little in the way of science. Having sat through all the proceedings, from the 3pm gaveling-in of the convention through the 9pm adjournment, I heard only passing mention of sustainability by Mayor Hickenlooper in his welcoming address. There was a good swipe, however, by former Republican congressman Jim Leach of Iowa, who addressed the Democrats in his endorsement of Obama, saying that his party has abdicated its leadership on issues of conservation and fails to address the challenge of global warming.

Since this is my first convention, I didn’t realize that day 1 is spent passing through various resolutions and taking care of general business … so I missed the chance to attend a sustainability fair at Invesco Field with host Willie Nelson, as well as the corporate event “Bank of America Goes Green.”

Other events surrounding the convention schedule include a day-long symposium Tuesday, Energy and Climate Change at Space Theatre. For a $55 cover charge, the event could certainly enlighten and engage a regular attendee, although with all the delegation demands and conflicts, I wouldn’t be able to attend but a small portion of it. Hopefully, the town hall meeting for delegates at the Pepsi Center this evening will cover the highlights. However, in an obvious effort to get a climate message across to youth voters, I will attend a “concert for a cool climate” tonight, hosted by the League of Conservation Voters and headlined by the band Death Cab for Cutie.

Ryan Ewing