Bush Path for Climate Change Wrong Way:

Too Little, Too Late 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth Rose, Communications Director, (301) 270-4550 x231

Washington D.C., April 16, 2008 - President Bush today outlined a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that falls short of meeting scientific goals. In a press conference at the White House, the President called on congress to pass a bill that would stop the growth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.

"We welcome the president’s acknowledgement that climate change poses a genuine global threat that requires serious action. Unfortunately, this doesn’t even come close to the scale of solutions we need," said Betsy Taylor, President of the Board of 1Sky. "Millions of Americans are demanding that the next president and congress take the action needed to deal with climate change."

The best science confirms that we must reduce carbon dioxide, the lead greenhouse gas, by 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, the primary goal of the 1Sky Education Fund. These kinds of reductions, coupled with investments in clean energy sources and conservation will stimulate economic growth and provide millions green jobs in our communities throughout the country.

The Bush plan is a missed opportunity, and stops short of reaching these goals, leaving Americans vulnerable to impending climate change-linked extreme weather events, disease, food shortages and drought, among many other effects.

Announced on the eve of the "major emitters" conference in Paris, the President’s plan brings little to the international table. Calling on other countries to reduce their carbon emissions while excusing our own failed policy is counterproductive.

Time is running out. Citizens all over the country continue to push for bold and comprehensive national legislation on climate change commensurate with the science. The President’s plan is just too little, too late.