Today, Act for the Climate

Posted on October 24, 2009 | Filed Under: Global Warming

Will Hewes
Climate Policy Coordinator

With the national spotlight focused on health care for much of the year, you’ll be forgiven if you’re not up to date on the latest global warming news in Congress. But after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, momentum has been gathering in recent weeks. Now’s the time to start tuning in. On this International Day of Climate Action, here’s a quick update on recent progress and a way for you to get involved.

The House of Representatives did its part in June by passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The Senate is now starting to move forward with its own legislation. A new version of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, introduced last month by Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Boxer (D-CA), was due to be released Friday.

The first draft of the bill had a lot of positive elements. It included emissions reductions of 20% by 2020, stronger than the House targets. It also left many key questions unanswered such as how the proceeds from the sale of pollution permits would be distributed. The latest version of the bill fills in some of these details. More information to follow on that soon.

The bill also includes several key sections that will help our ecosystems and communities prepare for the inevitable impacts that we are already witnessing due to past fossil fuel use. It provides funding to communities to help adapt to more severe floods, droughts and water pollution. Overall, the bill can still be improved, but it’s a strong starting point.

Things are going to start moving faster from here. The Environment and Public Works Committee is planning to vote on the bill in early November. There have been signs recently that members of both parties may be coming closer to agreement on this issue. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator John Kerry recently wrote an editorial in the New York Times calling for a bipartisan climate bill.

In sum, we are starting to build momentum towards a comprehensive bill that will start us down the path of addressing the greatest threat to our rivers and communities. But we are still far from the finish line and we need your help to get us closer. Lend your voice to the millions that are calling for strong climate legislation. Tell your Senators that it’s time for Congress to pass the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. Future generations will thank you.

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