Green Energy Agenda for 2009

See our interactive timeline of the last eight years.

• Jargon Watch
• Additional Resources
• Take Action

— Global warming is the biggest environmental threat facing the planet today, and it's getting worse.

— America's reliance on foreign oil and other fossil fuels is undermining our economic competitiveness in the 21st Century.

These two threats have merged into an enormous opportunity for a historic breakthrough in Washington—2009 is a watershed moment to cut global warming pollution and unleash green energy innovation.

The Science: A Crisis Builds

The planet has a fever and it's getting worse.

• The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, a leading greenhouse gas, is higher today than at anytime in at least the last 800,000 years.
• So far, this is the warmest decade on record and the 10 warmest years have all occurred since 1997.
• Polar ice is melting at a record pace in both poles imperiling local animals like the polar bear and threatening to accelerate the warming trend.

The Economics: Unleashing an Energy Revolution

This summer will be remembered for $4 gas and eight straight months of job losses in the U.S.

One economic bright spot has been the growth of the green energy economy.

More than 25,000 wind turbines are now operating in the U.S. — just a start according to many energy analysts who predict that wind could make up 20% of America's energy by 2030.

Solar energy is also exploding. Today, the American Solar Energy Society predicts that 1 out of 4 Americans will be working in the renewable energy or energy efficiency fields by 2030.

A strong cap on global warming pollution will have a double benefit - it will directly address the climate threat and create market incentives that will spur energy innovation.

The Politics: An Opportunity Grows

Despite wide-ranging and shameful opposition by the current administration, there were signs of hope in 2008 that our nation's leaders are prepared to actually lead.

Perhaps the high water mark occurred in June, when 54 Senators registered their support for a comprehensive limit on greenhouse pollution. Though a filibuster killed the measure, it was ample evidence of a turning political tide.

Other signs of hope:

• 32 states, including Florida, North Carolina, and California have taken action to limit global warming pollution and invest in clean energy solutions.
• 358 mayors, representing 55 million Americans, have demanded action by signing the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement.
• Both presidential candidates have registered strong support for climate action. No matter the November outcome, we expect a more sympathetic and cooperative Administration come January.

But, powerful obstacles remain.

We should count on high pressure lobbying by big coal and other polluting industries. There will almost certainly be another filibuster when climate legislation again reaches the Senate floor; we will need no fewer than 60 Senators willing to bring the measure to a vote.

The Solution: Our Plan

Our vision for 2009 is to work with a new Administration to enact landmark climate legislation. Our strategy for 2009 has five pillars:

1. Highlight the connections that link global warming action to America's energy and economic future. The same solutions that reduce climate pollution can also help create millions of new green jobs and revitalize America's economy.
2. Reach across the aisle. These are bipartisan issues. No matter who wins in November, we expect to be working with a cooperative administration to make the dramatic changes that are now overdue.
3. Concentrate on the transition and the first 100 days. The transition period between November 5th and January 20, 2009 is especially critical as the President-elect selects his team. The first 100 days will be the new President's best opportunity to guide the nation's agenda. We will campaign intensely during this period to get solid "cap and trade" bills introduced in both houses of Congress.
4. Round up the UNUSUAL suspects. America's economic and energy future is bringing together an unusual and growing coalition for action - small businesses, farmers, fishermen, mayors, and many Fortune 500 companies.
5. Hold legislators accountable. One lesson we learned during our 2008 efforts is that elected officials can be swayed when their actions are highlighted in home town papers. We'll employ that tactic where necessary to make sure members of Congress never forget that the folks at home are watching.

Posted: 02-Oct-2008; Updated: 11-Dec-2008