The Union of Concerned Scientists, among others, is sponsoring a campaign to support new legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Senator Richard Durbin:
Senator Barack Obama:
Representative Mark Kirk:
I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor the Waxman Safe Climate Act in the House or the Jeffords-Boxer Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act in the Senate.
While the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act, which I’ve written in support of previously, unfortunately went nowhere, I am pleased to learn that Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Senators Jim Jeffords (I-VT) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) have introduced two similar science-based bills in the House (H.R. 5642) and Senate (Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act) that would require reductions of greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
As you no doubt know, there’s a overwhelming scientific consensus supporting both the reality and likely devastating effects of anthrogenetic global warming, as reflected in reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and our own National Academy of Sciences. The evidence has convinced other countries to ratify the greenhouse-gas reducing Kyoto Protocol, at treaty from which the U.S. ignominiously withdrew. I believe that the probability of significant human-created climate change occurring coupled with the magnitude of the negative effects of such climate change demand immediate action in order to prevent potentially irreversible deleterious effects. We must make gradual changes now to prevent potential environmental, economic, and political devastation from the effects of climate change as well as the massive restructuring of the world economy that sudden change might induce.
These bills currently before Congress gradually lower U.S.-generated global warming pollution using a market-based cap & trade system that’s been used so effectively to limit SO2 emissions, a leading contributor to acid rain. The bills call for a greater reliance on clean, renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency, solutions that will simultaneously reduce air pollution, create jobs, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, thereby strengthening our economy and increasing our national security.
As you know from my previous correspondence, I believe energy policy to be of central importance to our nation. Please protect our global commons and security of future generations by co-sponsoring this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Keith Gillette