Rescheduled from April 24, 2007.
09/27/2007 at 10:00AM
Climate science, policy, politics, and action
Rescheduled from April 24, 2007.
The United States is committed to collaborating with other major economies to agree on a detailed contribution for a new global framework by the end of 2008, which would contribute to a global agreement under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change by 2009.
To this end, President Bush asked Secretary Rice to host a meeting of major economies in Washington, D.C., on September 27 – 28, 2007. Bush intends to address the conference. At this meeting, we would seek agreement on the process by which the major economies would, by the end of 2008, agree upon a post-2012 framework that could include a long-term global goal, nationally defined mid-term goals and strategies, and sector-based approaches for improving energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, we expect to place special emphasis on how major economies can, in close cooperation with the private sector, accelerate the development and deployment of clean technologies, a critical component of an effective global approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. James L. Connaughton, Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, will serve as Bush’s personal representative.
At the center of CGI is our Annual Meeting, held in New York each September coinciding with the U.N. General Assembly. This is a working session designed to provide insights into global problems for the purpose of enabling productive action in CGI’s four areas of focus: education, energy and climate change, global health and poverty alleviation.
Panel I
Panel II
Panel III
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) invite you to a briefing at which a new study will be released entitled Public Transportation’s Contribution to U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reduction. The study, conducted by SAIC, examines the effect of public transportation on carbon dioxide emissions. It aims to answer the questions: how much net carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) is public transportation saving in the United States with the current level of transit services being offered? what is the significance of the emissions savings from transit at a household level and what can households do to save additional CO2? if public transportation services are expanded and ridership is increased, how much additional CO2 savings are possible? what are the key elements of consideration for a national climate strategy that embraces public transportation? This briefing will address these questions as well as look at the opportunities for successful policies at the local, state, and federal levels.
Speakers:
In the United States, emissions from mobile sources represent about one-third of the total greenhouse gas emissions and 50 percent of all air pollution. Air pollution claims 70,000 lives a year, more than the 42,000 killed yearly in traffic crashes. One of the most significant actions that household members can take to reduce air pollution and their carbon footprint is to use public transportation. The study to be released shows that an individual switching his or her commute to public transportation can reduce their daily carbon dioxide emissions by 20 pounds- more than 4,800 pounds a year. When compared to other household actions, taking public transportation can be more than ten times more effective at reducing a person’s carbon footprint.
This briefing is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. For more information, contact Homer Carlisle- APTA Legislative Representative, [email protected] or (202) 496-4810 or Leanne Lamusga- EESI Communications Coordinator, [email protected] or 202-662-1884.
Please join the House Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Caucus, Renewable Energy and International Law (REIL) , Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute on September 25th for a roundtable discussion led by national and international policymakers, business representatives, and key stakeholders on issues of global climate and clean energy policy. The discussion will be set in the context of international and business perspectives on the energy and climate bills before the Congress and what can be expected on the global policy front in the coming months.
Panel
The event is free and open to the public. No RSVP required.
For more information, contact Fred Beck, [email protected] or 202-662-1892.
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Panel 1
Panel 2
Submitted Testimony
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