FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          

May 21, 2008

 "AMERICA'S CLIMATE SECURITY ACT''  MISSES THE MARK:  AVOIDING CATASTROPHIC CLIMATE CHANGE


Responding to the substitute amendment to the Climate Security Act released today, Greenpeace Legislative Coordinator Kate Smolski issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON –"While we have great respect for Senator Boxer and appreciate her leadership in furthering the critical debate on global warming, the current language in Climate Security Act remains insufficient to the task before us as indicated by the world’s leading climate scientists.

"To avoid catastrophic climate change, the bill must require science-based emission reductions of at least 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. And it must impose significant emissions reductions by 2020 of at least 25 percent below 1990 levels. Even as amended, the Climate Security Act does not meet this fundamental and indispensable objective.

"The substitute bill does include important provisions that increase incentives for energy efficiency.

“Regrettably, language on offsets in the bill provides the U.S. with an escape clause from meeting our obligation to reduce emissions within our own borders.

"America has the ability and technology to lead. As the bill moves to the Senate floor, it must be strengthened to ensure that it meets the scale of reductions that scientists tell us are necessary. Unless, and until this happens, the Climate Security Act will be another in a long line of missed opportunities for real leadership on global warming.”                                                   
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CONTACT: Jane Kochersperger, Greenpeace Media Office in the U.S., (202) 680-3798, cell; Kate Smolski, Greenpeace Legislative Coordinator, (202) 415-3105 cell