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The United States Policy on Global Climate Change

The United States Policy on Global Climate Change. Bethann Swartz. Electricity Use in the U.S. Domestic Policy. Byrd-Hagel Resolution 1997 Lieberman-McCain 2003 Programs through EPA and Dept. of Energy Energy Star Why isn’t more being done?

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The United States Policy on Global Climate Change

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  1. The United States Policy on Global Climate Change Bethann Swartz

  2. Electricity Use in the U.S.

  3. Domestic Policy • Byrd-Hagel Resolution 1997 • Lieberman-McCain 2003 • Programs through EPA and Dept. of Energy • Energy Star • Why isn’t more being done? • Only 5% of economy depends on climate..compared with about 66% in 1850

  4. Climate Change Science & Technology Programs (CCSP/CCTP) • CCTP: FutureGen (world’s first coal-based, zero-emissions electricity and hydrogen power plan & Freedom Car (Hydrogen fuel cells); $3 billion in FY 2005 • CCSP: $2 billion in FY 2005; Climate Science Research

  5. Source: U.S. Greenhouse Gas National Inventory, Executive Summary

  6. Source: EPA “Greenhouse Gas Inventory” Executive Summary

  7. CO2 Air Pollution Source: Earthtrends, WRI (http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/cli_cou_840.pdf)

  8. Non-CO2 Air Pollution • SO2: Primary cause of acid rain. Forms from burning of coal and extraction of gasoline from oil or metals from ore. Petroleum refineries, cement manufacturing, metal processing, locomotives, and large ships • Successful emissions trading program regarding SO2 emission from 1990 Clean Air Act…possible model for GHG emission trading? • CH4 & N2O: decreased by 10% b/w 1990 & 2003 • HFCs, PFCs, SF6: substitutes for CFCs, increased by 50% b/w 1990 & 2003

  9. International Cooperation • UNFCCC • International Partnership for a Hydrogen Economy

  10. American Public Opinion • Energy • February 2006: 61% disapprove, 30% approve, 9% no opinion • April 2001: 45% disapprove, 43% approve, 12% no opinion • Environment • January 2005: 45% disapprove, 49% approve, 6% no opinion • April 2001: 44% disapprove, 46% approve, 10% no opinion

  11. Environment v. Economy

  12. What about MAINE? • Temp. in Lewiston has increased 3.4oF over the last century • It could increase 4oF by 2100 • Precipitation will increase & intensity of winter storms • Health: heat-related deaths, increase in Lyme disease • Sea-level is already rising 3.9”/century in Rockland and could rise another 14” by 2100 • The changing climate will also affect forests and ecosystems in Maine

  13. 2012 • 2012 will be a pivotal year in U.S. Climate Change politics. This is the target year for the 18% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. will respond with additional measures in 2012 if they are not on track in meeting their goal. These measures may include additional incentives and voluntary measures.

  14. What next? DEMOCRATS • We reject the false choice between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. We know instead that farming, fishing, tourism, and other industries require a healthy environment. We know new technologies that protect the environment can create new high-paying jobs. We know a cleaner environment means a stronger economy... Democrats are committed to the next generation of affordable and renewable energy for the 21st center and to conservation measures -- like increased CAFE standards -- that will immediately reduce our dependence on foreign oil. • Environment is not, however, on the 2006 agenda’s top five points Source: Democratic National Party (http://www.democrats.org/a/national/clean_environment/)

  15. What’s next? REPUBLICANS? • The following areas have greater priority for the GOP than the environment: • Jobs & economy, Safety & Security, Tax Reform, Education, Social Security, Nominations, Legal Reform, Immigration Reform, Faith & Values Source: Republican National Committee (http://www.gop.com/)

  16. Conclusions • Congress is made it difficult for Clinton and continues to make it difficult to create and pass legislation to mitigate GHG emissions—progress is not going to come from legislation • The U.S. likes to emphasize the amount of money being spent on technology and science research. These are important aspects of climate policy, but there needs to be efforts to reduce emissions to accompany the vast amount of R & D • Only when there are concrete economic benefits to making significant changes will the United States step up

  17. Q U E S T I O N S ? ? ?

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