The Nature Conservancy Reacts to Climate Progress on the Hill

ARLINGTON, VA — November 5, 2009 — The Nature Conservancy released the following statement from its Director of US Climate Policy, Eric Haxthausen:

"The Senate took action this week that helps clear a path forward on climate and energy legislation. The Environment and Public Works Committee reported the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733) to the full Senate for consideration. The bill will now need to be considered by other Senate committees.

"We appreciate the work by Chairman Barbara Boxer and her committee in crafting a bill that offers many positive steps toward a climate solution. The bill takes the important step of setting a stronger emission reduction target for 2020 than was included in the bill passed by the House in June, and also calls for the protection of forests in the United States and abroad to lower greenhouse gases.

"Final passage of climate and energy legislation in the Senate will – and should – require bipartisan support. Climate change is about the future of our country, and the world we leave for the next generation. But it is also about the present: We are already seeing changes, and addressing climate change now can begin to transform our economy as we put America back to work.

"Enacting solutions to climate change is not a partisan issue. Leaders from both parties have clearly stated the urgent need to take action.

"Along with the bill coming out of committee, Senators John Kerry, Lindsey Graham and Joseph Lieberman – a Democrat, a Republican and an Independent – announced this week they will work together and with others in their parties to ensure a solution is developed that can receive bipartisan support.

"Kerry and Graham recently set out a thoughtful path for climate and energy legislation that could offer a way forward toward achieving the 60 votes needed to pass legislation in the Senate.

"Also this week, Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan unveiled a bill that offers constructive proposals for encouraging carbon sequestration in the U.S. forest and agricultural sectors. The bill has already garnered critical support from Senators representing farm and forest states. To effectively address climate change, we must lower emissions from all sectors – transportation, industry, energy and land use.

"We are hopeful that this week’s actions on Capitol Hill, coupled with continued efforts over the next weeks by the Senate and Administration, will help enable a strong outcome in Copenhagen that leads to the United States playing an integral role in a comprehensive agreement that will reduce global emissions and ensure the health and security of people and nature.

"The last few days have shown real progress toward passage of a climate bill. We encourage Senators from both parties to engage in this discussion with the objective of enacting climate legislation swiftly, and we look forward to working with them in this effort."

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.