Action Alert on Climate Change

January 4, 1999

ISSUE:

The politics of 1998 will affect advocacy efforts in 1999 to combat global warming. With the bitter differences between developed and less-developed nations, a Republican majority in the U.S. Congress, an embattled president, and a presidential election on the horizon, chances are probably remote for even minor progress this year. Unless steps are taken to build a sense of public momentum, the words of Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska), chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, may come true. His claim that "... The [Kyoto] treaty is deadþit just hasn't been buried yet" is echoed by both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. Only a groundswell of public pressure early in the 106th Congress offers hope of reversing this attitude.

ACTION:

The 106th Congress convenes on Jan. 6. Contact your two Senators at their Washington offices and urge them to:

• Work for ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. Although the Senate may be busy doing its constitutional "duty" regarding the impeachment process, it also has other obligations which include ratifying treaties.
• In the budget process, shift funding away from use of fossil fuels. Ask your Senator to explore mechanisms for moving U.S. utilities away from a heavy reliance on coal-fired plants and toward technologies using renewable sources such as wind or solar. Also urge your Senator to promote subsidies and tax incentives for energy efficiency and more aggressive use of renewable sources.
• Support legislation to guarantee that companies that voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions would be rewarded when the government sets new pollution standards. Such legislation was sponsored by Senators Lieberman (D-Conn.), Chafee (R-R.I.) and Mack (R-Fla.) last October. They plan to reintroduce the bill early in the 106th Congress.

WHEN:

By mid-January, before the federal budget process starts in February. Regardless of what happens with the impeachment process, the Senate has an obligation to carry on the business of the nation. This may need to be said in your correspondence.

WRITE OR PHONE:

Honorable ________ U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121

BACKGROUND:

In November 1998, nearly a year after negotiators met to hammer out a climate change treaty in Kyoto, Japan, representatives of 160 nations met in Buenos Aires, Argentina to begin writing the fine print for the Kyoto Protocol. Treaty supporters hoped that the Buenos Aires meeting would give momentum to the effort to have the U.S. Congress ratify the treaty.

The Administration even tried to jump-start the process by formally signing the protocol on Nov. 12. This step, however, was largely symbolic. As a White House spokesperson noted, "Signing does not legally commit the United States to implement the protocol. The protocol would become binding only with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate."

Nonetheless, both Republicans and Democrats in Congress have denounced the President's decision to sign the treaty. The treaty is bitterly opposed by oil, gas and mining interests that have backed their criticism with dollars to lobby lawmakers. Supporters of the Kyoto Protocol concede that there are not enough votes in the Senate at present to ratify the treaty in its current form, or even come close.

Supporters of the treaty nonetheless are encouraged by shifts in the business community. Some major multinationals, including British Petroleum, PLC, Monsanto, Royal Dutch/Shell, Enron Corporation, and General Motors have acknowledged that global warming is a real concern and have voluntarily taken steps to reduce their emissions.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY GUIDANCE:

This action is consistent with the 1990 General Assembly policy on "Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice" and the 1996 General Assembly policy on "Hope for a Global Future: Toward Just and Sustainable Human Development."