Environmental Defense Lays Out Plan To Slow Global Warming

Environmental Defense executive director Fred Krupp today outlined four practical steps policy makers should take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect Americans from the harmful effects of climate change. Krupp made his recommendations in testimony before the Democratic National Committee Platform Committee in St. Louis.

“We are pleased this distinguished body asked us to share our expertise on this crucial topic, and we will also be sharing our views on these critical issues with the Republican Party,” said Krupp.

Krupp recommended four practical steps for reducing the threat of climate change while protecting the economic interests of Americans:

• Ratify the Kyoto Protocol
  All nations, developed and developing, will have to participate in the control of global greenhouse emissions if the planet is to succeed in staving off the disastrous effects of climate change. The Kyoto Protocol is, without rival, the most promising tool that the US and the international community have for managing global greenhouse gases.

• Curb US power plant emissions
  Power plants represent approximately one-third of US carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide is a powerful greenhouse gas. Economic and regulatory changes in the industry and emissions reduction requirements under the Clean Air Act have necessitated an unusual range of long-term investment decisions, which could include reductions in emissions of the pollutants that contribute to acid rain, urban smog and global warming.

• Reward Innovators
  In order to jump start emissions reductions, it is critical for the next president and Congress to adopt a national investment strategy to reward true innovators whose efforts yield real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

• Reward Farmers and Landowners
  A high priority should be placed on developing ways for US agriculture to participate in any potential future market for greenhouse gas emissions reductions and carbon sequestration.