Presidential Climate Action Project (PCAP)

Climate protection advocates do express concern about the effects of carbon taxes and cap and trade programs on the poor. I would add that conservation efforts should concentrate on reducing energy demand by the poor by reducing energy waste in low-income households and improving their access to affordable public transportation -- such as electric trains. Today's ubiquitous diesel buses only exacerbate the problem. We don't need more buses. They rate very poorly on energy efficiency per passenger mile and they emit unacceptable quantities of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Alternatively, electric trains and trolleys can run on solar, wind, and other renewable power sources that do not emit greenhouse gases.

As for low-income households, at home they suffer from high energy cost burdens but they also suffer from extremely energy inefficient houses and appliances. Federal programs that pay for weatherization and appliance replacement in low-income households suffer from Congressional mood swings. The funding rises and falls haphazardly from year to year. If Congress would increase funding and keep it stable, the small businesses doing the weatherization work and appliance vendors could confidently hire new workers whose jobs could support the economy. Weatherization work does not lend itself to offshore outsourcing because it must happen here. The result of increased energy efficiency -- reduced energy consumption -- reduces energy imports and increases household income available for other purchases in local economies. Reduced energy consumption also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and reduces the wattage required from expensive solar panels -- making them more affordable.

The Presidential Climate Action Project (PCAP), mentioned in an Epoch Times article on Climate Change and President-elect Obama, recommends decisive and expeditious action to reverse global warming, address energy shortages, and mind national security as a consequence of the other two. http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/united-states/pcap-eesi-7369.html

Former Senator Gary Hart (CO) testified at a Congressional hearing Nov. 13 in favor of taking a leadership position: “You cannot consider climate change without addressing energy, and you cannot address energy without considering where you are getting it … and when you analyze where we are getting much of our oil, it is in the least stable regions of the world … and that involves our national security …” The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) joined with the Presidential Climate Action Project (PCAP), to sponsor the Congressional briefing that overflowed with attendees.

William Becker, Executive Director of Presidential Climate Action Project made the case for drastic changes in U.S. energy policies in order to avert disastrous climate changes. The industrialized nations must collectively cut their greenhouse gas emissions 25 to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. This is a tall order when today, U.S. emissions are 40 percent above 1990 levels, says the report.

I feel a tremendous sense of relief and exhilaration just knowing that these issues have captured the public attention at long last. So far, my sense of hope continues to grow that our country will, at long last, turn in the appropriate direction to safeguard the planet for future generations.

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