Prestigious Panel Calls for Aggressive
Action to Address Climate Change
Nov 13, 2008 - Presidential Climate
Action Project
The Presidential Climate Action Project
today released its long-awaited plan for revitalizing
the nation’s economy, protecting the environment and
enhancing national security through bold climate action.
Former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart, a member
of the PCAP advisory committee, said that despite
the severe economic challenges facing the new administration,
the United States is on the brink of a “new era” of
opportunity, job growth and enhanced national security
– all hinging on our response to the grave threats
of energy insecurity and climate change.
“I don’t recall a time when national
leadership has been faced with the combination of
problems and opportunities before us today,” Hart
said. “I believe that with the support of the nation,
the new leaders coming to office in January have the
talent and the commitment to guide the United States
into a new era of security, opportunity and stewardship.”
Hart made the comments at a news conference
in which the Presidential Climate Action Project –
a two-year effort to develop a climate action agenda
for the next president – released what Hart described
as “the most comprehensive plan yet for federal leadership
to build a new energy economy.” Joining Hart in the
announcement were Ray Anderson, chairman of the Presidential
Climate Action Project advisory committee, and Bill
Becker, executive director of the project.
"PCAP is a blueprint to a new energy
economy that is not only possible, but practical and
profitable,” said Anderson, the founder, chairman
of the board and CEO of Interface Inc., an international
manufacturer of carpet products and widely recognized
as one of greenest companies in the world. “We have
reduced our carbon footprint at Interface by 82 percent
and our fossil fuel energy intensity use by 60 percent,
and we are thriving. We are evidence that it industries
can make the transition to a low-carbon world and
become even stronger than they were before.”
The plan, a comprehensive blueprint
for climate action by the next president and Congress,
was delivered to the president-elect’s transition
team Wednesday.
Among its recommendations, the plan
calls for:
A tenfold increase in the federal investment
in developing and commercializing clean energy technologies;
A 30 percent reduction in U.S. greenhouse
gas emissions and 50 percent reduction on petroleum
consumption by 2020;
A CAFE standard of 50 miles per gallon
by 2025; and
Meeting America’s energy needs without
constructing any new conventional coal power plants.
Becker said the plan would “begin the
job of reinventing the federal government to move
the United States into a 21st century economy.”
The Presidential Climate Action Project
is an initiative of the Wirth Chair at the School
of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver.
It contains scores of recommendations for the new
president and Congress, with an emphasis on actions
the president can take within 100 days of assuming
office.
The complete plan is available at: www.climateactionproject.com
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