An article in The Washington Post over the weekend Scientists: Pace of Climate Change Exceeds Estimates highlighted that climate change may happen at a faster pace than predicted.Global greenhouse gas emissions are exceeding predictions and higher temperatures are creating dangerous feedback mechanisms that trigger the release of more carbon into the atmosphere from natural systems. For example, arctic permafrost holds 1 trillion tons of carbon and is beginning to thaw from higher temperatures.

Also, natural systems may not be able to remove as much carbon from the atmosphere as earlier estimates indicated.

The best thing to address climate change will be to pass global warming and energy legislation in 2009 that includes a cap on carbon emissions. This will also be the next essential step toward advancing a clean energy economy that will sustain America’s long term economic health.

Go to National Wildlife Federation's Climate Policy Solutions page to learn what you can do.

Larry Schweiger

This morning I attended a press conference held by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, to release her principles for climate legislation.

Sen. Boxer's "Principles for Global Warming Legislation" are:

1. Reduce emissions to levels guided by science to avoid dangerous global warming.

2. Set short and long term emissions targets that are certain and enforceable, with periodic review of the climate science and adjustments to targets and policies as necessary to meet emissions reduction targets.

3. Ensure that state and local entities continue pioneering efforts to address global warming.

4. Establish a transparent and accountable market-based system that efficiently reduces carbon emissions.

5. Use revenues from the carbon market to:

   - Keep consumers whole as our nation transitions to clean energy;

   - Invest in clean energy technologies and energy efficiency measures;

   - Assist states, localities and tribes in addressing and adapting to global warming impacts;

   - Assist workers, businesses and communities, including manufacturing states, in the transition to a clean energy economy;

   - Support efforts to conserve wildlife and natural systems threatened by global warming; and

   -Work with the international community, including faith leaders, to provide support to developing nations in responding and adapting to global warming. In addition to other benefits, these actions will help avoid the threats to international stability and national security posed by global warming.

6. Ensure a level global playing field, by providing incentives for emission reductions and effective deterrents so that countries contribute their fair share to the international effort to combat global warming

Right now our leaders in Congress are considering an economic recovery program that will invest in alternative and renewable energy, begin to address the climate crisis and create millions of new jobs. This economic recovery program can be a crucial down payment to Repower America with 100% renewable energy within 10 years.