| October 18, 2007 |  |
Lieberman-Warner Bill A Serious Start, But Must Go Further To Avoid Global Warming’s Worst Consequences, Science Group Says
Lieberman-Warner Bill A Serious Start, But Must Go Further To Avoid Global Warming’s Worst Consequences, Science Group Says
WASHINGTON (October 18, 2007)—A bill introduced today by Sens. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) and John Warner (R-Va.) will build momentum in Congress for bold action on global warming, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The bill, which would establish a cap-and-trade system to reduce global warming pollution, provides a good starting point for debate, the group said, but must be strengthened to ensure the United States can avoid the worst consequences of global warming.
To complement any cap-and-trade proposal, the group also urged Congress to pass an energy bill this fall that includes standards requiring utilities to generate at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources and automakers to produce vehicles that meet a 35-mile-per-gallon fleet average by 2020.
"A cap-and-trade program is just what the doctor ordered to save this patient—our planet—which is in dire shape," said UCS President Kevin Knobloch. "We definitely need strong medicine, and Senators Lieberman and Warner have offered serious preventative measures that will take us a long way to preventing catastrophic climate change. But it needs improvement if we're going to restore the patient to full health.
"The high respect with which Senators Lieberman and Warner are held in the Senate assures that their colleagues across the political spectrum will take a fresh look at acting to address climate change in the 110th Congress," he added.
The proposed legislation sets a significant short-term target requiring economic sectors covered by the cap-and-trade program to reduce their emissions 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. Knobloch applauded the senators for improving their proposal over the last few months.
"Senators Warner and Lieberman deserve credit for strengthening the 2020 target from the 10 percent level they had originally proposed in August," said Knobloch. "A strong short-term goal is critical."
The bill's long-term goal, while a solid mark, would fall shy of what scientists understand will be needed. According to a recent UCS study, to ensure a 50-50 chance of avoiding the worst consequences of global warming, the United States must cut emissions by at least 80 percent below 2000 levels by mid-century.
In an important provision that will encourage states to help close that gap, the bill provides support to states that do better than the federal targets and pre-empts states whose efforts fall short of the federal target.
According to UCS policy experts, cap-and-trade programs work best when they cover as many pollution sources as possible. The senators' proposal goes far in covering electric power plants, manufacturing facilities and all forms of transportation, but does not cover other sources, such as non-electric commercial and residential heating. The bill does establish new energy efficiency standards and provides incentives for cutting pollution from unregulated sources. UCS experts warn that these policies do not guarantee the deep emissions cuts needed in these uncovered global warming pollution sources.
The legislation also provides important support for tropical countries' efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation. Tropical deforestation currently accounts for about 20 percent of worldwide global warming emissions.
In addition, the bill calls for the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to periodically assess the effectiveness of U.S. efforts to avoid the worst consequences of global warming. However, the bill does not prescribe what actions must be taken in response to those reports. UCS recommends that Congress grant the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to strengthen cap-and-trade program standards based on NAS reports.
"New science and changing circumstances will mean we'll have to update our game plan for fighting global warming," Knobloch said. "This is a multi-decade fight and the EPA is the agency best equipped to make sure we take the actions needed to avoid the worst consequences of global warming."
The senators' cap-and-trade program would initially give away a large share of emission allowances to polluters, but over time it would auction off an increasing number of them. UCS recommends that the bill limit free emission allowances and quickly phase them out, replacing them completely with an auction. Giving away allowances for an extended period of time would distort the market and run the risk of generating substantial windfall profits for polluters, which is what happened during the first phase of the European emissions trading system, according to UCS.
The bill would allocate allowances and auction revenues for several domestic purposes UCS supports, including funding new technology, compensating low-income families, and providing assistance to workers who are disproportionately disrupted by the program. In addition, UCS supports using revenues to help vulnerable communities in other countries adapt to the unavoidable effects of global warming.
"When it comes to global warming, we're all in this together," Knobloch said. "We have an obligation to stand by the millions of people around the world who are already starting to suffer the consequences of global warming, even though they bear little responsibility for creating the problem."
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.
