Statement by Union of Concerned Scientists President Kevin Knobloch
WASHINGTON (December 3, 2009) — Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and author of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733), today introduced the International Climate Change Investment Act of 2009.
Below is a statement by Kevin Knobloch, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists:
"We welcome Senator Kerry's introduction today of the International Climate Change Investment Act. A central issue in the international climate negotiations is the need for increased funding to help developing countries to deploy clean technologies, reduce deforestation, and adapt to the impacts of global warming. Many of these countries are already taking action to limit their emissions of greenhouse gases, and they are willing to do more if assistance from the United States and other developed countries is forthcoming. Helping these countries preserve their rainforests and power their economies more efficiently and cleanly is essential to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. Senator Kerry's bill also will expand export markets for U.S. companies that produce clean energy technologies, which will create jobs here at home.
"The most vulnerable developing countries are already suffering from the impacts of global warming. Helping them develop and implement adaptation strategies to better cope with these impacts is not only the right thing to do, it's an investment in our own security because climate change has the potential to fuel conflict and instability in many regions of the world.
"By introducing this bill, Senator Kerry is once again providing critical leadership on an issue of vital importance to the United States. We thank him for this leadership, and stand ready to help him advance these objectives as part of comprehensive climate and energy legislation."
Kerry's bill:
PDFToday, Kerry also made this statement on the EPA findings:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and head of the Congressional delegation to the international climate negotiations beginning today in Copenhagen, Denmark, today responded to reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will issue a final ruling that greenhouse gas emissions directly threaten human lives.
“This is a clear message to Copenhagen of the Obama Administration’s commitment to address global climate change and a clear signal to Congress of the importance of passing comprehensive climate and energy legislation,” said Sen. Kerry. “The EPA has acted on the Supreme Court’s decision and made it clear that greenhouse gas emissions are a threat to public health in the United States and can be addressed under the Clean Air Act.
“The message to Congress is crystal clear: get moving. If Congress does not pass legislation dealing with climate change, the administration is more than justified to use the EPA to impose new regulations. Imposed regulations by definition will not include the job protections and investment incentives we are proposing in the Senate today. Given the potential for agency regulation, those who now aim to grind the legislative process to a halt would later come running to Congress to secure the kinds of incentives we can pass today. Industry needs the certainty that comes with Congressional action on this vital issue.”
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