Global Climate Change

Global climate change may be the most important environmental issue of its time because its potential repercussions are so far reaching. Congresswoman Lee has helped take the lead in Congress in calling for action to reduce emissions today in order to protect the planet tomorrow. She has authored H. Res. 117, the Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Global Climate Change Act; written President Bush urging him to remain engaged in the process of negotiating the terms of the Kyoto Protocol; called for hearings on the subject in the International Relations Committee; and supported legislation to reduce pollution, support renewable energy research, and increase energy efficiency. She has also, along with Congressman Dennis Kucinich, submitted a request to the General Accounting Office (GAO) requesting an investigation into the rise of Export-Import Bank projects that will contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

On July 29, 2001, the Republican-led House of Representatives defeated an amendment to H.R. 4, the Energy Bill , which would have continued current protections against drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Congresswoman Lee helped lead the unsuccessful fight to protect this fragile wilderness. This battle now goes to the Senate.
Energy

Congresswoman Lee is committed to a far-sighted energy policy based on conservation and innovation. She supports legislation to substantially increase the national investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency. When Congress voted on H.R. 4, the Bush-Cheney energy bill, Rep. Lee helped lead the fight to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, strongly supported raising fuel economy standards, and opposed billions in tax breaks for the coal, oil, and nuclear industries.

Children's Environmental Health Act:

Congresswoman Lee is working to develop new legislation to safeguard children's health. Children are more susceptible than adults to environmental contaminants and are exposed to a variety of potentially toxic substances in the home, at school, and on the playground.

Environmental Links:

The Sierra Club
Wilderness Society
National Resources Defense Council
World Wildlife Fund
National Environmental Trust

H.Res. 117: Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Global Climate Change Act of 2001 Fact Sheet

What Does the Resolution Do?

Expresses the sense of Congress that rising carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the burning of fossil fuels represent a significant threat to national security, the American economy, and the global environment because these greenhouse gases are a major contributor to global climate change.

Why Is This Needed and Why Is It Needed Now?

The National Academy of Sciences and many other experts have found that atmospheric and surface temperatures have risen significantly since the industrial revolution took hold and especially within the last several decades. Global warming is expected to bring with it rising sea levels, increasing droughts, declining snow levels and the erosion of the polar ice caps, and turbulent weather patterns. Changes in Africa and the Pacific Islands are already making themselves felt. Global warming poses significant economic and social as well as environmental dangers.

Carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are considered to be the greatest human-controlled contributor to global warming. The United States is the largest producer today of fossil-fuel generated carbon dioxide emissions.

What Are the Goals of the Resolution?

In 1992, under President George Bush, the United States signed the United Nations Framework on Climate Change which states, in part, the Parties to this Convention are Ato implement policies with the aim of returning...to their 1990 levels anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases." Representative Lee's resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should implement the policies necessary to stabilize emissions at the 1990 levels by the year 2010.

What Will Be the Impact of Failing to Reduce Greenhouse Gases?

In addition to the long-term effects on the climate itself, the apparent U.S. withdrawal from the principles of the Kyoto Protocol and the Framework Agreement is having a dire impact on U.S. relations with Europe. Moreover, the failure of the United States to take the lead in this issue will decrease incentives among industrializing nations to limit emissions or seek out cleaner power sources.

What About the Economic Impact of Reducing Emissions?

The long-term costs of not reducing greenhouse gases are expected to far exceed the short-term expenses of reducing emissions. Furthermore, a growing body of research points out the economic opportunities in developing new technologies: we can both grow the economy and clean up the environment. Studies by the Department of Energy and non-governmental organizations indicate that reducing CO2 emissions and other pollutants, while adopting policies to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency, would both reduce consumers' energy bills and create new jobs.

Supporters of H.Res.117:

• The Sierra Club
• World Wildlife Fund
• CAL-PIRG
• National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
• National Environmental Trust; Natural Resources Defense Council
• NETWORK, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
• Physicians for Social Responsibility
• Union of Concerned Scientists

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