| June 8, 2009 |  |
Prominent Chicago Group Says Federal Climate Legislation ‘Essential’ to Future Midwest Property
Statement by Ron Burke, Union of Concerned Scientists
CHICAGO (June 8, 2009) – The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, an organization comprised of a number of major corporations and institutions, released a report today that maintains a "prompt enactment of national climate change legislation is essential to the Midwest's future prosperity and competitiveness." Council members include the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Ford Motor Company, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Caterpillar, Inc. and Exelon Corporation.
Below is a statement by Ron Burke, director of the Union of Concerned Scientists' (UCS) Midwest office.
"From the shop floor to the boardroom, more and more Midwesterners understand that transitioning to a clean energy economy will create economic opportunities for the region and the nation. Midwesterners also understand that -- like most things in life -- getting ahead of the curve is much preferable to playing catch up later on.
"The Chicago Council on Global Affairs delivered that message today to federal lawmakers. Last month, governors from Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin sent that message, too, indicating they strongly prefer a national climate plan even as they moved a step closer to establishing their own regional one. Those governors accepted recommendations from a diverse advisory group to develop a regional plan to cap and reduce global warming emissions. In some respects, the Midwest recommendations go further to address climate change than the federal bill that the full House likely will vote on this month.
"The science tells us that if we don't dramatically cut our global warming emissions, we'll be faced with a radically different Midwestern climate. Transitioning to a more efficient, cleaner, reliable energy system is the only choice we have to safeguard the environment, lower energy costs, and create jobs here at home manufacturing wind turbine components, weatherizing homes, growing cleaner fuels, and more."
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The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
