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Sunday, November 08, 2009

Pass Strong Climate Bill Now

By Akilah Sanders-Reed
Resident, Cedar Crest
          Today marks 29 days to what I believe will be the most important day of my generation, and every generation to follow — but why isn't it getting any attention in the media?
        On Dec. 7 the international community will meet in Copenhagen to negotiate a global plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to safe levels. Scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change say that in order to avoid catastrophic change, global carbon emissions must peak by 2015 — if Copenhagen fails to set sufficient goals for bold climate action, that will be nearly impossible. As a 15-year-old high school sophomore, I'll inherit the problems of failure at Copenhagen — the middle-aged world leaders won't.
        The success of these international negotiations largely depends on the United States, so I don't understand why our media isn't discussing this constantly. The United States makes up 5 percent of the world's population but emits close to 30 percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. It is America's responsibility to become a leader in carbon dioxide reduction to ensure an ambitious, fair and binding climate treaty that prevents climate catastrophe and ensures a sustainable future for my generation.
        The good news is that in the past few weeks the European Union, China, India, Japan, Brazil and Indonesia have all publicly stated that they will drastically cut carbon dioxide emissions if the United States cuts emissions as well.
        There are two extremely important actions that are a necessity for international cooperation:
        1) We must immediately pass the most far-reaching global warming legislation ever voted on in Congress through the U.S. Senate. Without bold legislation, our commitment to a new clean economy will not convince the big polluters like China and India that we are taking the climate seriously.
        2) President Obama must attend the conference in Copenhagen and live up to his Nobel peace prize. His absence from the conference will send a message louder than any of his speeches.
        For myself and others in my generation, the urgency has never been greater. Unless Copenhagen is successful, we may be the first generation where natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, are commonplace — and that is not the kind of world we want to live in.
        Some of you may say that I'm naïve and that stopping global warming isn't that simple — but the reasons for action on climate change extend beyond saving our planet and future. New Mexico Business Weekly recently ran an article highlighting the loss of over 15,000 jobs in New Mexico this past year. A study from the Political Economy Research Institute found that investing in renewable energy could create 11,000 new jobs. Another study from Environment New Mexico found that investment in energy efficiency in a clean energy bill could save $337 to families annually. There is no reason why we cannot jump start our economy, create thousands of new jobs in clean energy and phase out the dirty sources of energy like coal that stall international progress — the American people are beginning to demand it.
        Last weekend almost 2,000 rallies took place across the country and over 5,000 across the world where everyday citizens — business leaders, churchgoers, youths, seniors, veterans — all came together with one call: that our elected leaders address the climate crisis.
        Here in New Mexico, over 30 actions took place in Albuquerque, where thousands of people came to ask Senators Tom Udall and Jeff Bingaman to pass a bold climate bill that takes the necessary steps to cut carbon dioxide emissions. I organized a rally where more than 150 people came together in Albuquerque — many of whom were my age. Youths are coming to understand what's at stake this fall and are demanding sufficient action to protect our futures.
        The international talks in Copenhagen need to be in the paper, on TV and on the radio every day so the entire public can comprehend what is at stake and demand action on the climate crisis, starting first from our president by attending Copenhagen.
        29 days and counting....