Posted on The State’s on-line edition 6/26/09
Moore: Pass the climate bill
By STEVE MOORE - Guest Columnist

Congress held its first hearing on climate change in 1988. There have been 21 years of hearings and debate, but no action. Strong interests have lobbied hard to ensure that previous bills failed to garner enough votes to pass. Fortunately, against a backdrop of increasing evidence of the need to act, many in Congress are rejecting the opposition’s false arguments.
In the meantime, members of the business community, faith groups, labor and conservation organizations have come together on the need to produce more clean energy and reduce global-warming pollution. The recession also has brought some of these groups together, because it has become obvious that we need to transform our economy. Innovation in the energy sector is the best way to do this. America invented the solar panel and the high-efficiency wind turbine, only to see other countries surpass us in their deployment while we continue to use 19th century technology to produce our energy.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act, which the House is expected to vote on today, would spur innovation and reduces carbon pollution. Under this act U.S. emissions would be cut 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, 42 percent by 2030 and 83 percent by 2050. In addition it would:
• Improve energy efficiency in buildings and appliances by establishing minimum targets for residential and commercial buildings. These standards will save consumers an estimated $25 billion a year by 2030. There are also new standards for lighting and appliances, standards to promote greater efficiency in industry and investments in electric vehicles, and funds to ensure we deploy renewable energy across our country.
• Direct funds to state and local governments for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Money is sent to states to help them assist consumers who use home heating oil or propane, and requires that half of that money be used for energy efficiency.
• Invest in domestic natural resource protections by helping society prepare for and respond to the inevitable impacts of climate change on natural resources. It provides an average of $1.7 billion over the first 20 years of the program for safeguarding natural resources.
• Provide funds to protect tropical forests from deforestation and degradation. This is critical since about 20 percent of the global warming problem can be tied to tropical forest destruction — as much as every car, truck and plane in the world. This is one of the most efficient ways to reduce carbon pollution while protecting bio-diversity.
• Ensure that information about the latest science and technological advancements informs policy makers. EPA is required to review the latest climate change science, and the National Academy of Sciences is required to review technological advancements and then make recommendations to the administration. Science will drive policy rather than politics.
• Commit assistance to fund international adaptation and clean technologies for developing nations. These elements are critical in our negotiations with other countries.
This is truly transformational legislation and not a minute too soon. The recently released report “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States,” produced by the U.S. Global Change Research Program made up of 13 federal agencies, describes a state of emergency. We must act swiftly and decisively to limit public harm. Impacts are already evident in every region of the country. The Southeast has seen a 2-degree increase in average temperature since 1970 and is expected to see as much as 4.5-9 degree increase by 2080. It will only get worse the longer we wait.
As a final attempt to stall legislation, the opposition claims the it will be too expensive. Actually, the most expensive thing we can do is to do nothing. We know we will see unprecedented sea-level rise, increased drought, stronger and more frequent storms, habitat destruction, and the list goes on and on. These effects must be considered when discussing cost.
In any case, the EPA estimates that passing the legislation will cost the average American family about the price of a postage stamp a day. Cost is not the issue here. It’s about our children’s future. Their fate will be decided by what Congress does over the next few weeks of the summer. Ask yourself: Is my congressman voting for this bill? And then call him and find out.
Mr. Moore, of Johns Island, is director of climate and energy for the S.C. Wildlife Federation.