Download The United States and Policy on Global Climate Change

The United States
Policy on Global
Climate Change
Bethann Swartz
Electricity Use in the U.S.
Other- 0.4%
Renewable- 2.1%
Coal
Oil- 3.3%
Hydroelectric- 5.6%
Nuclear
Natural Gas- 17.1%
Natural Gas
Coal- 51%
Nuclear- 20.6%
Hydroelectric
Oil
Renewable
Other
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
Climate Change Science &
Technology Programs
(CCSP/CCTP)
 CCTP: FutureGen (world’s first coalbased, 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
Source: U.S. Greenhouse Gas National Inventory, Executive Summary
Source: EPA “Greenhouse Gas Inventory” Executive Summary
CO2 Air Pollution
Source: Earthtrends, WRI
(http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/c
ountry_profiles/cli_cou_840.pdf)
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
International Cooperation
 UNFCCC
 International Partnership for a Hydrogen
Economy
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
Environment v. Economy
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
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.
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/)
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/)
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
QUESTIONS
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