ACTION ALERT: The Senate Must Act on Global Climate Change Monday, April 21, 2008 Global climate change is one of the most serious threats to the environment, health and economy of our nation and our world. With the U.S. Senate expected to take up legislation this spring, now is the time to let your Senators know that they should support strong action to control global warming. Please contact your Senators and tell them to support and strengthen S. 2191, America’s Climate Security Act. Recent scientific studies show that global warming is already causing environmental changes that will have significant global economic and social impacts. America’s Climate Security Act, S. 2191, sponsored by Senators Lieberman and Warner, will establish the basic framework that is necessary to curtail the pollution that is causing climate change. S. 2191 is a good first step. The bill establishes a “cap and trade” system that will, if properly carried out, achieve two essential goals: cutting green-house gas emissions enough to prevent the worst impacts of global climate change, and doing so in an economically efficient manner. The “cap” sets a limit on allowable emissions from electric power, transportation and manufacturing sources that will decline over time to meet the pollution-reduction goal. The “trading” system sets up a market that allows sources to buy, sell, borrow and trade emission allowances so reductions can be achieved in the most cost-effective ways. However, the legislation should be strengthened in two ways. First, the bill should ensure that pollution reduction goals are consistent with the best scientific analyses. Currently, the legislation does not achieve all the reductions that will likely be needed, and advances in scientific knowledge may later indicate a need for quicker or greater reductions. Second, the auction system should be expanded to include more emissions earlier in the process. This will both speed compliance and increase the economic efficiency of the program. Tell your Senators to oppose weakening amendments, particularly loopholes that undermine the emissions cap through such mechanisms as a so-called "safety valve" that would allow sources to purchase unlimited emission allowances. Take action today to encourage your Senators to take quick and strong action against global climate change! TAKE ACTION 1. Contact your Senators now, by phone or by email, and tell them to strengthen and pass S. 2191, as well as to oppose weakening amendments. Tell them that global climate change is one of the most serious threats to the environment, health and economy of our nation and our world. 2. Send this alert to other concerned citizens - your grassroots network, your friends and coworkers. Encourage them to contact their Senators today! BACKGROUND Learn more about what the League is doing to protect against global climate change. Sign up to receive Action Alerts directly by email. Don't miss an opportunity to take action! It's easy to sign up and the League will never share your email with others: http://takeaction.lwv.org/lwv/mlm/signup/. For additional information, please contact LWVUS Grassroots Lobbyist Christina Vamvas at lobbying@lwv.org. League of Women Voters 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20036 202-429-1965 www.lwv.org lwv@lwv.org