Green alliance in US calls for stronger Climate Bill

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The Senate
Broad coalition of pressure groups step up pressure on US senators ahead of crucial vote on the Climate Bill later this year.
 

More than 300 pressure groups, including Friends of the Earth, have expressed dismay at the weakness of the US Climate Bill.

In a joint letter they plan to deliver to US senators tomorrow they say the current Bill contains, 'massive giveaways to polluting special interests' and would 'fail to ensure a rapid transition to clean energy'.

The US is under pressure to agree a Bill before the Climate summit in Copenhagen this December. The House of Representatives passed its version of the bill in June. The Senate is expected to decide on its version this Autumn.

If there is any differences in the two Bills, a compromise will have to be agreed before President Obama can sign the new legislation into law.

Calling for a stronger Bill, the coalition of faith, human rights, social justice and environmental groups say 'bolder leadership' is required to solve the climate crisis.

In specific the letter calls for a Bill that includes commitments to;

  • Reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations to a safe level of below 350 parts per million
  • Maintain the existing Clean Air Act protections against global warming pollution
  • Minimise the use of offsets and other loopholes

'There's an impressive breadth of groups on this letter, and it demonstrates that the status quo isn't acceptable,' said Tyson Siocum, who directs Public Citizen's energy program and signed the letter.

'Congress must pass a bill that actually gives us a fighting chance of avoiding runaway global warming. There's no other option.'

Other signatories to the letter include Greenpeace, 350.org, the Center for Biological Diversity, Corporate Ethics International, Global Exchange, Slow Food USA, United Church of Christ and Rainforest Action Network.

Useful links
See the letter in full
See the full list of signatories

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