[PAA-Discuss] Swift action on global climate change

[abo at AllBreedObedience.info]

The article below says,

" the federal government to quickly enact strong national legislation to
achieve significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. "

        But the problem remains that EXISTING laws are not being enforced -
especially against the worst emitters/polluters.   The standards in place
right now are not being met, even though REQUIRED BY LAW.   So tighten the
standards or punishments all you want, and it won't make a bit of
difference.   We need to hold government accountable for FAILURE TO ENFORCE
EXISTING STANDARDS  before we haul off with endless more legislation.   If
current laws are not enforced, you can reasonably expect additional laws
won't be enforced either.

The article goes on to list some things which should be included in proposed
bills:

       Account for the global dimensions of climate change;
       Recognize the importance of technology;   ---   I would add, "If you
don't DEVELOP alternative technologies such as solar, wind, hydro-electric,
they will always lag behind current technologies such as oil, (no offense,
Bill!), coal, etc.
       Be environmentally effective;
       Create economic opportunity and advantage;     ---   I would add,
"This opportunity and advantage must be for non greenhouse gas emitting
energy sources such as, once again, solar, wind, and water."
       Be fair to sectors disproportionately impacted; and
       Recognize and encourage early action.



-----Original Message-----

Embargoed until 8am January 22, 2007

Contact: John Files
Office: 202-585-2077
Mobile: 202-285-1706


MAJOR BUSINESSES AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS UNITE TO CALL FOR SWIFT ACTION
ON GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

U.S. Climate Action Partnership
Cites Environmental and Economic Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. Jan. 22, 2007  A diverse group of U.S.-based businesses
and leading environmental organizations today called on the federal
government to quickly enact strong national legislation to achieve
significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.  The group said any
delay in action to control emissions increases the risk of unavoidable
consequences that could necessitate even steeper reductions in the future.

This unprecedented alliance, called the U.S. Climate Action Partnership
(USCAP), consists of market leaders Alcoa, BP America, Caterpillar, Duke
Energy, DuPont, FPL Group, General Electric, Lehman Brothers, PG&E, and PNM
Resources, along with four leading non-governmental organizations 
Environmental Defense, Natural Resources Defense Council, Pew Center on
Global Climate Change, and World Resources Institute.

At a news conference today at the National Press Club, USCAP issued a
landmark set of principles and recommendations to underscore the urgent
need for a policy framework on climate change.  The solutions-based report,
titled A Call for Action, lays out a blueprint for a mandatory
economy-wide, market-driven approach to climate protection.

The time has come for constructive action that draws strength equally from
business, government, and non-governmental stakeholders, said Jeff Immelt,
Chairman and CEO of General Electric. These recommendations should
catalyze legislative action that encourages innovation and fosters economic
growth while enhancing energy security and balance of trade, ensuring U.S.
leadership on an issue of significance to our country and the world.

USCAPs recommendations [see attachment or visit
http://www.us-cap.org/ClimateReport.pdf] are based on the following six
principles:

7       Account for the global dimensions of climate change;
7       Recognize the importance of technology;
7       Be environmentally effective;
7       Create economic opportunity and advantage;
7       Be fair to sectors disproportionately impacted; and
7       Recognize and encourage early action.

The principles and the recommendations outlined in A Call for Action are
the result of a year-long collaboration motivated by the shared goal of
slowing, stopping and reversing the growth of greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions over the shortest period of time reasonably achievable.

This unique cooperation of business and environmental leaders is a clear
signal to lawmakers that legislative action is urgently needed. This
non-partisan effort was driven by the top executives from member
organizationscompanies with a combined market capitalization of more than
$750 billion and environmental groups with more than one million members
worldwide and global policy influence.

A Call for Action reflects a growing public concern about global warming. A
recent TIME magazine/ABC News/Stanford University poll finds that a
significant majority of Americans, about 85 percent, say they believe
global warming is probably happening.  An even larger percentage, 88
percent, say they think global warming threatens future generations.

USCAP urges policy makers to enact a policy framework for mandatory
reductions of GHG emissions from major emitting sectors, including large
stationary sources and transportation, and energy use in commercial and
residential buildings. The cornerstone of this approach would be a
cap-and-trade program. The environmental goal is to reduce global
atmospheric GHG concentrations to a level that minimizes large-scale
adverse impacts to humans and the natural environment. The group recommends
Congress provide leadership and establish short- and mid-term emission
reduction targets; a national program to accelerate technology research,
development and deployment; and approaches to encourage action by other
countries, including those in the developing world, as ultimately the
solution must be global.

The Climate Action Partnership recognizes that the undertaking to address
climate change is an enormous one, and should not be underestimated, said
Jonathan Lash, President of the World Resources Institute. But enacting
environmentally effective, economically sustainable and fair climate change
law must be a national priority.

USCAP believes that programs to encourage efficiency and to promote cleaner
technologies in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 enacted by the last Congress
and supported by the President were a good step.  However, they alone
cannot get us to where we need to be on the climate change issue.  A
mandatory system is needed that sets clear, predictable, market-based
requirements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The members of USCAP pledge to work with the President, the Congress and
other stakeholders to confront this vital global challenge.

NOTE TO EDITOR: A full copy of A Call for Action and background information
on the U.S. Climate Action Partnership may be found at www.us-cap.org.

Kathleen kain


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