Spring 2009
On the Road
Strength in Numbers
UCS brings science, economics together to make the case for swift climate action.
With a new president and Congress in place, we have a critical opportunity this year to pass strong federal legislation that will reduce heat-trapping emissions. With the nation focused on the economy, it is essential that climate legislation make fiscal sense. Fortunately, UCS has long advocated approaches that maximize environmental and economic benefits at the least cost (or greatest savings).
Recently, opponents of mandatory action on climate have claimed climate action will be economically devastating. They backed up these claims with economic analysis based on unrealistic assumptions. Not surprisingly, these are the very same groups who delayed climate action by questioning the reality of global warming well after the scientific community reached consensus. To overcome this cynical tactic, UCS has significantly ramped up our efforts to bring credible economic expertise to the climate policy discussion. We went on the road this winter to reach out to economists who can help us push Congress into action.
Wanted: A Few Good Economists
Our first stop was Indiana, where, at seven colleges and universities in five days, we discussed how the state's legislators are key votes on climate-related policies and how economists with a range of expertise—on issues ranging from global warming's impact on agriculture and forestry to the design of cap-and-trade systems and other market-based solutions—would bring valuable new insights to the debate. The participants expressed strong interest and some offered to meet with their legislators, write letters to the editors of local newspapers, host or speak at public education events, and more.
The next stop on our tour was the American Economic Association's annual meeting in San Francisco. To kick off our first appearance at this event, UCS hosted a reception and had a booth in the exhibit hall. We talked with more than 100 attendees, many of whom had recently started teaching environmental economics courses in response to the demand among students who want to learn how economics can help protect our natural resources and create a clean energy future. Like their counterparts in Indiana, these economists were eager to learn how they can be a part of our efforts to enact sound climate policy.
Peace Makes Financial Sense
Reflecting upon my conversations with dozens of economists over a period of six weeks, I was struck not only by how profoundly global warming affects many economic issues and disciplines, but also by how concerned economists are about the impact global warming could have on peace and security. They see an increasing likelihood of conflicts over dwindling resources, particularly in developing nations.
It is critical that we, as a nation and world, make swift and deep cuts in heat-trapping emissions, and it is clear from our work with economists that the United States can do so in a way consistent with sound economic policy. This spring, my colleagues and I will continue our outreach at meetings of the Midwest Economics Association and the U.S. Society for Ecological Economics. If we can unite scientists, economists, and citizens in a common purpose, government action cannot be far behind.
—Jean Sideris, outreach coordinator in the UCS Climate Program
Last year, UCS organized the U.S. Scientists and Economists' Call for Swift and Deep Cuts in Greenhouse Gas Emissions, which now has more than 1,700 signatures. Click on the link above to read the statement, sign it (if you meet the criteria), or learn other ways to get involved.
