The climate crisis threatens our health, economy, and way of life, and bold action is urgently needed. President Obama and Congress must advance strong policies that inspire transformational change and safeguard both people and the planet.
Friends of the Earth believes U.S. climate policy should:
- Contribute equitably to an international climate agreement, with a strong emissions cap and funding for international climate solutions;
- Include a robust mix of energy, transportation, and other policies to dramatically reduce emissions;
- Strictly limit any carbon trading schemes so that financial risks are minimized;
- Exclude false solutions; and
- Protect infrastructure, agriculture, coastal regions and vulnerable communities from the impacts and hazards of climate change.
Waxman-Markey Bill Overview
Note: see our campaign opposing the bill.
A bill intended to reduce global warming pollution and spur the transition to a clean energy economy is advancing in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on a 33-25 vote on May 21, 2009, and will now be reviewed by other committees before heading to the House floor.
Friends of the Earth appreciates the scope and depth of this bill, especially its multi-faceted approach. We strongly support adopting an array of complementary policies to transition to clean energy and reduce pollution rather than relying on any single policy option.
We also appreciate the bill's attention to domestic preparation for climate change impacts and its provisions for critical international climate finance for adaptation, technology cooperation, and forest protection. Such international financing is essential to securing a global climate deal and ensuring a world free of climate chaos.
However, despite our appreciation of the bill's positive aspects, we have serious concerns and misgivings that prevent us from offering our support:
- A missed opportunity that doesn't solve the problem. We have the economic and technical ability to create jobs and protect our climate by transitioning to a clean energy economy. Unfortunately, this bill fails to take advantage of this opportunity. It doesn't reduce pollution rapidly enough to avoid many dangerous impacts that will result from continued degradation of our atmosphere, and it fails to go to work quickly enough to make the U.S. a global clean energy leader. This means fewer jobs in manufacturing and other new clean energy industries than we could otherwise create.
- Not enough market regulation. The bill relies on weak regulatory structures similar to those that failed to protect the economy from the current financial crisis. This insufficient regulation of new carbon markets could end up being disastrous for our economy.
- Weakens Clean Air Act. The bill exempts heat-trapping gases from important Clean Air Act protections.
- Pollution loopholes. The bill's massive "offset" loopholes mean that the U.S. is unlikely to meet even the limited pollution reductions the bill seeks to achieve. These loopholes also threaten the stability of carbon markets and will retard our country’s transition to a clean energy economy.
- Polluter payouts make the bill a lobbyist's dream come true. The bill gives billions to polluting industries, including big oil and dirty coal. It was written in part by corporate lobbyists and is supported by polluting corporations such as Shell, ConocoPhillips, and Duke Energy.
- Undermines U.S. leadership. The bill prevents the U.S. from being a global leader on clean energy and climate issues. It undermines our ability to have a constructive seat at the table in international negotiations by under-funding priorities like global investments in clean energy and preparation for climate change impacts.
Waxman-Markey Resources
