I have been thinking about what the youth climate movement’s Statement of Principles might look like if we were to start to put them into practice. Here are some thoughts:
We call on our leaders to follow these guiding principles as they make decisions that will determine our future:
- A just climate policy must be scientifically based – The US must enact mandatory caps on greenhouse gas pollution that ensures the peak and decline of global carbon emissions before 2015 towards a minimum of 80% emissions reductions below 1990 levels before mid-century in order to avoid a climate catastrophe.
In Practice: Pass national climate legislation. In my opinion, passing the Safe Climate Act in the U.S. House and the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act in the U.S. Senate are critical to getting us on the right track.
2. An ambitious plan to revolutionize our energy, agriculture and transportation systems with measurable targets is essential. We must immediately shift all federal funding and subsidies away from dirty energy towards research and implementation of clean technologies.
In Practice: I think a good first step would be to pass the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007, which passed in the House during the first 100 days push. The Senate version is still seriously lacking leadership. The bill would channel $13 billion in Big Oil subsidies to clean, renewable energy and efficiency.
3. A just climate and energy policy cannot rely on any forms of dirty energy such as so-called “clean coal” or nuclear power. We must recognize the disproportionate impact of global warming and dirty energy on low-income, people of color and indigenous communities and ensure a just transition that improves and supports their physical, social and economic health.
In Practice: A first step would be to end the wasteful and dangerous federal clean coal promotion program, which has received billions in subsidies over more than 20 years. Between 1948 and 1995 the nuclear industry received more than $61 billion in federal subsidies and has received billions since. The other critical piece of implementing this principle is including the principle of “Just Transition” for workers and communities in energy policies and programs. Good resources on just transition are here.
4. We must prioritize major reductions in total energy use. Cost-effective energy conservation and efficiency measures can cut energy demand by more than half. All of our remaining energy needs, including transportation, can be met by zero-emission renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. No combination of “alternative” fuels (from corn, coal or otherwise) can replace our oil addiction. Highly efficient, zero-emission electric cars and plug-in hybrids can be fueled up with wind-powered electricity more cheaply and conveniently than we can fill up with oil, biofuels or hydrogen.
In Practice: A great initiating action in the area of clean energy and efficiency investment would be an ambitious government program for green-collar jobs to weatherize homes, install solar and wind, and make buildings more efficient. Another solid action would be for the auto manufacturers to build plug-in hybrid vehicles (sign the Plug-in Partners Petition).
5. The development of a just climate and energy policy must include all stakeholders, not just business, government, and large environmental groups. Because every American, no matter their age or economic status, will be affected by climate change, it is crucial that a broad and diverse group, including communities that are disproportionately impacted by the energy industry, have seats at the table as this policy is crafted. As the generation that will inherit the impact of the decisions we make today, young people must be given a particularly important seat at the table.
In Practice: Some ways to do this include a) demanding the 2008 Presidential candidates hold a global warming debate hosted by youth and impacted community members, b) Congress holding hearings on climate change with impacted community members and youth, c) Politicians holding town hall meetings on energy and climate and utilities and companies being required to hold real, legitimate hearings with the community before constructing any new dirty energy facility.
These suggestions are only a start. In order to see real improvements in peoples’ lives in time to avert a climate crisis, it is essential for our generation to articulate exactly the solutions that we want to see and fight to make them a reality.
