SustainUS Response to Bush: Youth Demand Real Action, Not Just Talk

On April 16, 2008, President George W. Bush gave a speech on an issue that is widely considered the greatest challenge of our generation – global climate change. Yet, his proposed plan for preventing the worst effects of anthropogenic-induced warming is dangerously lacking. Providing entirely unambitious goals is a step in the wrong direction. President Bush has shown no leadership on this issue in the past and his recent proposal is no different. The insistence by the Bush administration that China and India adopt mandatory emission cuts before the United States takes action is completely unacceptable. The United States needs to immediately adopt a strong mandatory emission reductions target of at least 80% by 2050. This moral leadership would be a bold and necessary step toward an international agreement that is able to ensure a safe and livable climate for future generations. 

"President Bush's call for halting emissions by 2025 is just a guise for his opposition to the Senate proposals to stop U.S. emissions growth by 2012, which are much more appropriate," says Juan Hoffmaister, a SustainUS policy advisor.  The most recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the leading scientific body on the subject, indicate that global carbon emissions must peak between 2015 and 2020 in order to avoid irreversible damage.  It is irresponsible for a country as powerful as ours to adopt a target so far beyond the time frame strongly advised by the leading international organization on climate change.

President Bush insists that legislation such as the Senate proposals targeting a halt in emissions by 2012 would incur significant costs to the economy, but inaction - and even delayed action - will lead to even more catastrophic effects on economies, as detailed in the Stern Review.  Additionally, President Bush fails to acknowledge that aggressive action against climate change can result in economic growth, especially through green jobs.

Environmental sustainability and economic growth need not be mutually exclusive.  A green economy includes jobs specializing in the maintenance and management of renewable energy, landscape design, sustainable agriculture, and green building practices. It is imperative for the government to continue to support and expand green job training programs to ensure there is a skilled and reliable workforce to carry out the labor and responsibilities that a green economy and nation demand.  A truly green economy creates millions of jobs, enables citizens both young and old to begin careers that have great potential for upward mobility, and puts this country on a faster trajectory towards reducing carbon emissions and eliminating poverty. Underfunding and discounting the efficacy of a green jobs market is inexcusable.  There is no time to waste arguing about the costs of action on climate change; the costs of inaction - and even inadequate action - are far too great.

Contact: Matt Maiorana, SustainUS Policy Coordinator
phone: 207-423-0330
email: matt.maiorana@sustainus.org