The United States Policy on Global Climate Change

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The United States Policy on Global Climate Change

• Bethann Swartz

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Electricity Use in the U.S.
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Domestic Policy

• Byrd-Hagel Resolution 1997
• Lieberman-McCain 2003
• Programs through EPA and Dept. of Energy
• Energy Star
• Why isnt more being done?
• Only 5 of economy depends on climate..compared
  with about 66 in 1850

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Climate Change Science Technology Programs
(CCSP/CCTP)

• CCTP FutureGen (worlds first coal-based,
  zero-emissions electricity and hydrogen power
  plan Freedom Car (Hydrogen fuel cells) 3
  billion in FY 2005
• CCSP 2 billion in FY 2005 Climate Science
  Research

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Source U.S. Greenhouse Gas National Inventory,
Executive Summary
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Source EPA Greenhouse Gas Inventory Executive
Summary
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CO2 Air Pollution
Source Earthtrends, WRI (http//earthtrends.wri.o
rg/pdf_library/country_profiles/cli_cou_840.pdf)
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Non-CO2 Air Pollution

• SO2 Primary cause of acid rain. Forms from
  burning of coal and extraction of gasoline from
  oil or metals from ore. Petroleum refineries,
  cement manufacturing, metal processing,
  locomotives, and large ships
• Successful emissions trading program regarding
  SO2 emission from 1990 Clean Air Actpossible
  model for GHG emission trading?
• CH4 N2O decreased by 10 b/w 1990 2003
• HFCs, PFCs, SF6 substitutes for CFCs, increased
  by 50 b/w 1990 2003

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International Cooperation

• UNFCCC
• International Partnership for a Hydrogen Economy

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American Public Opinion

• Energy
• February 2006 61 disapprove, 30 approve, 9 no
  opinion
• April 2001 45 disapprove, 43 approve, 12 no
  opinion
• Environment
• January 2005 45 disapprove, 49 approve, 6 no
  opinion
• April 2001 44 disapprove, 46 approve, 10 no
  opinion

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Environment v. Economy
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What about MAINE?

• Temp. in Lewiston has increased 3.4oF over the
  last century
• It could increase 4oF by 2100
• Precipitation will increase intensity of winter
  storms
• Health heat-related deaths, increase in Lyme
  disease
• Sea-level is already rising 3.9/century in
  Rockland and could rise another 14 by 2100
• The changing climate will also affect forests and
  ecosystems in Maine

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2012

• 2012 will be a pivotal year in U.S. Climate
  Change politics. This is the target year for the
  18 reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The
  U.S. will respond with additional measures in
  2012 if they are not on track in meeting their
  goal. These measures may include additional
  incentives and voluntary measures.

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What next? DEMOCRATS

• We reject the false choice between a healthy
  economy and a healthy environment. We know
  instead that farming, fishing, tourism, and other
  industries require a healthy environment. We know
  new technologies that protect the environment can
  create new high-paying jobs. We know a cleaner
  environment means a stronger economy... Democrats
  are committed to the next generation of
  affordable and renewable energy for the 21st
  center and to conservation measures -- like
  increased CAFE standards -- that will immediately
  reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
• Environment is not, however, on the 2006
  agendas top five points

Source Democratic National Party
(http//www.democrats.org/a/national/clean_environ
ment/)
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Whats next? REPUBLICANS?

• The following areas have greater priority for the
  GOP than the environment
• Jobs economy, Safety Security, Tax Reform,
  Education, Social Security, Nominations, Legal
  Reform, Immigration Reform, Faith Values

Source Republican National Committee
(http//www.gop.com/)
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Conclusions

• Congress is made it difficult for Clinton and
  continues to make it difficult to create and pass
  legislation to mitigate GHG emissionsprogress is
  not going to come from legislation
• The U.S. likes to emphasize the amount of money
  being spent on technology and science research.
  These are important aspects of climate policy,
  but there needs to be efforts to reduce emissions
  to accompany the vast amount of R D
• Only when there are concrete economic benefits to
  making significant changes will the United States
  step up

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Q U E S T I O N S ? ? ?