EDF Offers Mixed Review of Administration Climate Plan

(6 Dec., 1996 — New York) The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) indicated support for proposed binding obligations to limit climate change set forth by the Clinton Administration today, but expressed concern over the lack of urgency in the schedule for implementing them. In preparation for a resumption of climate change negotiations at an international meeting in Geneva next week, the US offered a flexible, cost effective approach for capping emissions which would involve industrialized as well as developing countries. But the proposal would defer deadlines for attaining emission goals until at least 2010, and included no numerical emissions objectives.

“EDF is pleased that the administration has presented a comprehensive and flexible framework for cutting the emissions which are changing Earth’s climate. But the possibility that no nation will devote serious effort toward reductions for at least 14 years is troubling,” said Annie Petsonk, EDF’s international counsel who will attend the negotiations. “Reduction obligations which use emissions trading enable fast and economical pollution cuts. Since this proposal calls for countries to use trading, commitments should be made to earlier emissions reductions.”

Global warming and other climate changes arise from the buildup of greenhouse gases, particular carbon dioxide from burning coal, oil, and natural gas to generate electricity and power motor vehicles. If emissions are not reduced, climate change is expected to cause record heat waves, record drought in some places and flooding in others, sea level rise and inundation of coastal areas, the northward spread of tropical diseases, and the widespread destruction of ecosystems.

“In order to protect human health and natural ecosystems, global warming must be limited to two degrees Fahrenheit or less. That means global emissions must be cut by half over the coming century. The later that countries begin reductions, the steeper and costlier reductions will need to be to avoid serious harm,” said Dr. Michael Oppenheimer, an atmospheric physicist and EDF’s chief scientist. “Cost-effective actions should be taken now, instead of passing along higher costs to our children.”

“It’s time the administration put some specific numbers to the climate goals it wants to achieve. Only then can the US convince developing countries to assume greater responsibilties for controlling global climate change,” said Karan Capoor, policy analyst at EDF.