This week, my virtual inbox is overflowing with requests to sign petitions, donate and call my Congressional representative in support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (HR 2454). I've been invited to listen in on Al Gore's phone briefing for supporters of his Climate Protection Action Fund's Repower America Campaign. And the talented actress/eco-activist Amy Smart even made an appearance:
A version of President Obama's historic bill passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee last month, and a vote before the full House of Representatives is expected by July 4. According to the Environmental Defense Action Fund's Summary, this landmark legislation would:
• Set [America's first-ever] declining cap on global warming pollution at 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83% by 2050.
• Reward clean energy innovation, spurring investments in low-carbon energy technologies and creating new manufacturing jobs.
• Promote clean energy by requiring that 20% of electricity comes from a combination of renewable sources, such as wind and solar, and energy efficiency by 2020.
• Provide an incentive for other countries to limit their emissions, by allowing the president to impose fees on carbon-intensive imports from nations that haven’t adopted their own greenhouse gas cap.
At long last, the United States is poised to become a global leader on climate change regulation. However, to nobody's surprise, Washington D.C. is now swarming with thousands of fossil-fuel lobbyists seeking to undermine and weaken the provisions in this ground-breaking bill—or kill it altogether. As a Spirited Woman who cares about the future of our planet and humanity, I am making my voice heard to support the passage of this legislation. And I'd like to know your thoughts about climate change?
~ Teri Breier www.quintessencecreative.com
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