Focus the Nation, a grass-roots global warming awareness initiative, takes place this week at more than 1,500 locations across the country. Go to the link below to find an event near you and to vote on the top five policy solutions you would like Congress to address.
Founded by Lewis & Clark College economics professor Eban Goodstein, Focus the Nation is being billed as the largest teach-in in history. Organizers expect more than a million people to participate nationwide through colleges, universities, churches, civic groups and other organizations.
The goal of Focus the Nation is to engage students, citizens, experts and lawmakers in identifying and supporting viable solutions to the climate change crisis. The majority of events, which include lectures, roundtable forums, exhibits, webcasts and performance, will take place this Wednesday and Thursday, January 30 and 31.
Below is the list of policy solutions for voting. The top five choices will be delivered by Focus the Nation to Congressional offices across the country on February 18. If possible, attend an event near you to demonstrate to legislators and presidential candidates that Americans want to fight global climate change now.
Invest in the Clean Energy Revolution
To provide the low-cost climate stabilization tools that today’s young people will need in the near future, the US government should invest $25 billion dollars per year in public research, development & diffusion (RD&D) of clean energy technologies.
Create New Jobs, Save Energy
Create one million new jobs by saving energy. Support job opportunities including audits, retrofits for buildings, and installation of solar hot water systems. Create a Clean Energy Corps to employ training graduates from high unemployment regions, providing pathways out of poverty.
No New Coal Plants Without "Capture and Sequestration"
Avoid or delay the construction of new coal power plants by maximizing the opportunities to increase energy efficiency and to generate clean power from renewable sources. To the extent that coal use is unavoidable, only allow coal plants that capture and sequester their emissions in geologic formations.
Cap CO2 Emissions, Auction Permits, Share Revenue with All Americans
Cap total carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution emitted in the US through a system of a fixed number of permits; auction the permits to emitters; use auction revenue to (1) compensate lower income Americans for higher energy prices, and (2) to assist impacted workers, especially in coal mining.
Build Green: Carbon Neutral by 2030
By 2030, require by law that all new buildings in the US be "carbon neutral" (no net emissions of global warming pollution from fossil fuel combustion).
Jumpstart Low Polluting Biofuel
Set the emerging biofuels sector on a sustainable basis through: (1) A Low Carbon Fuel Standard that sets a goal for reducing carbon intensity in the total light and heavy duty vehicles fuels mix by 10 percent by 2020, and (2) Mount a major effort to research, develop, demonstrate and deploy sustainable biofuels feedstocks and technologies.
Support Stronger Forests
Prevent CO2 emissions and remove atmospheric CO2 through forest conservation, management and restoration. Include forests in cap & auction system, allowing the trade of forest emissions reductions that are real, additional, verifiable, and permanent.
Tax Global Warming Pollution
Place a tax on each ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) embodied in fossil fuels. Set the tax high enough to initially stabilize nationwide emissions, and then have the tax rise over time, generating steady cuts in pollution. Use tax revenue to (1) compensate lower income Americans for higher energy prices, and (2) to assist impacted workers, especially in coal mining.
Cleaner Cars, California Style
For the United States as a whole, adopt California’s standards requiring a 23% reduction in global warming pollution from new vehicles sold by 2012, and a 30% reduction in global warming pollution from new vehicles sold by 2016.
Get Efficient – Cut Energy, Save Money
Rapidly implement the fastest, cheapest climate mitigation resource- home, business and industrial efficiency.
Loading...