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Global Warming Policy Solutions
We already have the clean energy technology to tackle the pressing issue of global warming. The Sierra Club believes that in order to safely and effectively mitigate the effects of climate change, comprehensive global warming legislation must accomplish the following:
- Reduce emissions to avoid dangerous global warming: Scientists tell us that we must cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 to prevent global temperatures from rising more than 2º C over pre-industrial averages. Not only must global warming policy require such emissions reductions, but it must also ensure the U.S. adheres to this mandate by requiring periodic scientific review of progress toward sufficient emission reductions that will meet this goal. Legislation should direct EPA to adjust its regulatory process based on future scientific study and review of climate change to ensure that we meet measurable, intermittent emission reduction benchmarks between now and 2050 that will prevent a rise in global temperatures above dangerous levels.
- Transition America to a clean energy economy in a just and equitable way: Global warming is among the greatest challenges of our time, but also presents extraordinary opportunities to harness home-grown clean energy sources and encourage technological innovation. These bold shifts toward a clean energy future can create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and generate billions of dollars in capital investment. But in order to maximize these benefits across all sectors of our society, comprehensive global warming legislation must auction emission allowances to polluters and use these public assets for public benefit programs.
Such programs include financial assistance to help low and moderate-income consumers and workers offset higher energy costs as well as programs that assist with adaptation efforts in communities vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Revenue generated from emissions allowances should also aid the expansion of renewable and efficient energy technologies that quickly, cleanly, cheaply, and safely reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and curb global warming. Lastly, it is absolutely vital that comprehensive global warming legislation not preempt state authority to cut greenhouse gas emissions more aggressively than mandated by federal legislation.
- Aid communities and ecosystems vulnerable to harm from global warming: Global warming has already negatively affected vulnerable communities and eco-systems, the vast majority of which have contributed least to global greenhouse gas emissions. These include states, localities and tribes that will require financial assistance to adapt infrastructure to respond to climate change, developing countries and small island states that are vulnerable to sea level rises and already suffer from heat waves, water shortages and food and water-borne disease, as well as wildlife and ecosystems that will require assistance to preserve natural habitats and prevent wildfires.
As the world's leading emitter of greenhouse gas pollution, the U.S. has an obligation to assist communities and regions that are suffering the consequences of our carbon dioxide emissions.
In addition to passing comprehensive global warming legislation, the Sierra Club believes in federal energy policy that will transition us away from our dirty, fossil-fuel past toward a clean energy future. Learn more about the energy bills in Congress we support. We are also conducting local campaigns across the country to conserve our energy use and use cleaner energy. Our priorities include:
- Encouraging more states to adopt energy efficiency and renewable energy programs and goals. Twenty five states now require local utility companies to derive a specified percentage of energy from renewable sources. Our goal is to have more states and ultimately the entire country to adopt a renewable electricity standard (RES) of at least 20 percent by 2020 and to increase electric efficiency by at least 2 percent per year.
- Stopping the coal rush by opposing as many new polluting coal plants as possible and cleaning up existing plants. We also want states and the federal government to cut mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants by 90 percent. Learn more about our coal campaign
- Pushing for "Clean Car" laws in more states. Thirteen U.S. states and Canada require the auto industry to produce cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks than federal standards dictate. Adding more states will force the auto industry to make all cars sold in the U.S. and Canada meet these standards. Learn more about the clean cars campaign.
- Protecting the Arctic Refuge, coastal waters, and other sensitive lands from coal, oil, and gas development. Learn more about our wild legacy program.
- Expanding the "Cool Cities" campaign. More than 900 "Cool Cities" have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and pledged to reduce global warming pollution. The campaign aims to help these cities fulfill their pledges through energy efficiency and renewable energy, and encourages more cities to become "cool." Learn more about Cool Cities.
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Conducting on-the-ground education campaigns to let people know how they can reduce their own carbon footprints. Check out our personal global warming solutions pages for reducing your energy consumption and transportation emissions.
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