Global
climate change
is one of the
most serious
threats to the
environment,
health and
economy of our
nation and our
world. With the
U.S. Senate
expected to take
up legislation
this spring, now
is the time to
let your
Senators know
that they should
support strong
action to
control global
warming.
Please
contact your
Senators and
tell them to
support and
strengthen S.
2191, America’s
Climate Security
Act.
Recent
scientific
studies show
that global
warming is
already causing
environmental
changes that
will have
significant
global economic
and social
impacts.
America’s
Climate Security
Act, S. 2191,
sponsored by
Senators
Lieberman and
Warner, will
establish the
basic framework
that is
necessary to
curtail the
pollution that
is causing
climate change.
S. 2191 is a
good first
step. The bill
establishes a
“cap and trade”
system that
will, if
properly carried
out, achieve two
essential
goals: cutting
green-house gas
emissions enough
to prevent the
worst impacts of
global climate
change, and
doing so in an
economically
efficient
manner. The
“cap” sets a
limit on
allowable
emissions from
electric power,
transportation
and
manufacturing
sources that
will decline
over time to
meet the
pollution-reduction
goal. The
“trading” system
sets up a market
that allows
sources to buy,
sell, borrow and
trade emission
allowances so
reductions can
be achieved in
the most
cost-effective
ways.
However, the
legislation
should be
strengthened in
two ways.
First, the bill
should ensure
that pollution
reduction goals
are consistent
with the best
scientific
analyses.
Currently, the
legislation does
not achieve all
the reductions
that will likely
be needed, and
advances in
scientific
knowledge may
later indicate a
need for quicker
or greater
reductions.
Second, the
auction system
should be
expanded to
include more
emissions
earlier in the
process. This
will both speed
compliance and
increase the
economic
efficiency of
the program.
Tell your
Senators to
oppose weakening
amendments,
particularly
loopholes that
undermine the
emissions cap
through such
mechanisms as a
so-called
"safety valve"
that would allow
sources to
purchase
unlimited
emission
allowances.
Take action
today to
encourage your
Senators to take
quick and strong
action against
global climate
change!
TAKE ACTION
1. Contact
your Senators
now, by phone or
by email, and
tell them to
strengthen and
pass S. 2191, as
well as to
oppose weakening
amendments.
Tell them that
global climate
change is one of
the most serious
threats to the
environment,
health and
economy of our
nation and our
world.
2. Send this
alert to other
concerned
citizens - your
grassroots
network, your
friends and
coworkers.
Encourage them
to contact their
Senators today!
BACKGROUND
Learn more
about what the
League is doing
to protect
against global
climate change.
Sign up to
receive Action
Alerts directly
by email. Don't
miss an
opportunity to
take action!
It's easy to
sign up and the
League will
never share your
email with
others:
http://takeaction.lwv.org/lwv/mlm/signup/.
For
additional
information,
please contact
LWVUS Grassroots
Lobbyist
Christina Vamvas
at
lobbying@lwv.org.
