ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Update on Climate Policy Mark MacLeod

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Climate change is receiving growing attention from media

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE

No one seriously questions the science anymore.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Most Americans think global warming is probably happening... Question: Which statement comes closest to your view about global warming: it probably is happening, it probably is not happening, or I don’t know if is happening? Ayres, McHenry & Associates, Inc. | National Survey of Registered Voters | July 9-13,

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE... and that human activity is the cause. Question: If global warming is happening, do you think it is due more to the normal cycles in the Earth’s environment, or more to human activity such as burning fossil fuels? Ayres, McHenry & Associates, Inc. | National Survey of Registered Voters | July 9-13,

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE But Many Think the Impacts are Remote and in the Future But they are not…

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE

Business is Becoming More Active

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ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Principles –We know enough to act –Global problem needs a global solution – US needs to lead to achieve an equitable and effective international policy framework for action by all major emitting countries –Technology is the key to a solution: A broad platform of technologies exist to reduce emissions, and cost effective deployment needs to be encouraged. R&D for further advances must have government support –Program must be: environmentally effective, cost effective, fair and encourage early action.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE What About Congress? In June 2005, 53 Senators voted for a resolution for mandatory controls to slow, stop and reverse GHG emissions 6 Climate Change bills introduced so far in 110 th Congress One more tomorrow

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE

GLOBAL WARMING BRIEFING 14 ? How do we get there?

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE

Items of Interest to Tribes Provisions to assist communities and workers with adaptation Opportunities for agriculture to be able to sell carbon sequestration credits Various incentives/funding for new technology, demonstration projects Congress is what Congress does…

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE International – Post Kyoto negotiations underway Negotiators’ goal: No gap in post-2012 carbon market All eyes on U.S., because if the world’s largest emitter won’t act, developing countries won’t act either Resolution in Congress for US to engage

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Ideas for Tribes 1.Tribes as Economic Actors 2.Tribes as Stewards of the Land and Leaders in Oral History Traditions 3.Tribes as Political Actors

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Tribes as Economic Actors create inventories of existing greenhouse emissions sources and registries to record greenhouse gas reductions get experience with agricultural sequestration projects – including wetlands and grasslands use contract requirements to minimize methane emissions from oil and gas development employ economic resources such as windpower on tribal lands

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Tribes as Stewards of the Land and Leaders in Oral History Traditions creating baseline environmental inventories to document impacts of climate change collecting in an accessible way (website, recordings, meetings with reporters) personal stories of changes in species experienced, weather patterns, food availability, etc. highlighting how climate change impacts can affect culture and heritage

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Tribes as Political Actors create a Tribal Climate Protection Agreement similar to the Mayors’ Agreement engage with US political leaders provide input to and support for new international negotiations on global warming pollution

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Thank You