EDF Calls For Clear U.S. Plan To Combat Climate Change

As the Fifth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change began its Ministerial Session in Bonn, Germany, today, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) called for the US Congress, the White House and all presidential candidates to outline a clear plan to combat climate change, and achieve ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.

“The US is the world’s only superpower, but by failing to lead the fight against global climate change, America has fallen behind in protecting the planet, its people and its ecosystems,” said EDF chief scientist Dr. Michael Oppenheimer. “Even though mainstream scientists and forward-thinking business leaders are in agreement about the danger of unrestrained emissions of greenhouse gases, Congress and the administration have yet to take any significant action.”

Because of this past summer’s deadly heat waves, droughts, floods and episodes of mosquito-borne disease, the country is now well aware of what a typical summer may look like in the future, unless greenhouse gases are brought under control. “The health and livelihood of all people are at stake,” said Oppenheimer. “We need to move ahead with emissions reductions now, so we can avert potentially catastrophic climate change later.”

Other countries are setting up their own systems to use innovative market mechanisms to control greenhouse gases. In addition, numerous North American and European businesses have announced commitments to limit greenhouse gas emissions early to demonstrate the economically and environmentally beneficial practice of emissions trading. “While these advances around the world and in the business community are encouraging, even more US firms would take action if Congress would adopt a framework to assure proper credit for taking action early,” said Dirk Forrister, EDF’s Energy Program director. “If Congress doesn’t provide the framework in a timely fashion, the US will lose economic benefits of low cost reductions and miss opportunities to strengthen the US economy through the development and sale of new environmental technologies.”

“Leading companies, including BP-Amoco, DuPont and Shell are only a few examples of the dozens of corporations that have already established plans for greenhouse gas reductions. While some in industry are leading, the government stalls and delays. Also, while some presidential candidates have called for the Kyoto treaty’s ratification, not one has outlined a serious plan to work with Congress and industry,” said Oppenheimer. “It’s time for elected officials and presidential hopefuls to set aside politics-as-usual, roll up their sleeves, and get to work to solve the climate change problem.”