Forwarded for the USCCB.

 

Dear Colleagues:

 

This week and next week the US Senate is debating its omnibus energy bill.  It is expected that several amendments addressing climate change will be offered.  The Conference   seeks to include language in the bill addressing the needs of the poor relative to climate change.  We have attached a letter that was sent today to the Senate and an Alert asking you to contact your Senators.

 

Thanks for your attention and assistance.

 

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            June 16, 2005

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, we urge you to support any amendment to S.10, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that will genuinely help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, particularly as they affect the poor and other vulnerable populations.

Given that the needs of the poor are so often neglected, we urge you to place their concerns front and center during the debate about climate change.  Due to where they live and their limited resources, the poor will experience most directly the possible harmful effects of climate change, including potential escalating energy costs, work displacement and health problems. This is true here in the United States as well as abroad. Further research on the possible impact of climate change on the poor, and the need for programs to help the poor adapt and mitigate the worst effects should be a priority.

Although the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops takes no position on many of the detailed provisions of S. 10 or pending climate change legislation, we have worked with key senators and are grateful that the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2005 specifically addresses the needs of the poor here and abroad.

For too long, the debate about climate change has been polarized. The science surrounding climate change is often used more as a weapon than as a source of wisdom, insight or guidance. The motives of many are impugned. In this atmosphere, the search for the common good of the human family, as well as the planet, is neglected or lost. Too often, the voices of the poor and of poor countries are muffled or ignored.

While there are many technical aspects that need to be considered in addressing global climate change, we recognize our moral responsibility of stewardship. Our actions and decisions, particularly those regarding our use of energy resources, have a profound effect, not only today but also for future generations. While there may not be full scientific consensus or complete certainty as to the consequences of climate change, there seems to be a sufficient scientific consensus that prudence would dictate taking preventive and mitigating action.

In a few weeks, the G-8 nations will meet in Scotland and climate change is likely to be a major topic on the agenda.  The United States bears a special responsibility to lead and help shape responses that serve not only its own interests but those of the entire human family. The adoption of even modest efforts could help send a signal that the time has come to move forward. Technological advancements and entrepreneurship are hallmarks of our society. Applying them innovatively could help usher in a more environmentally benign impact on global climate.

Thank you for your attention to our perspective concerning the important issue of global climate change.

                                                          Sincerely yours,

                                                          Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J.

                                                          Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee

                                                          Chairman, Committee on International Policy

 

 

 

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Call your Senators and let them know that it’s time to take climate change seriously and mitigate its effects on the poor and vulnerable

June 17, 2005

REASON FOR THIS ALERT:  The Senate is now considering the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (S. 10) on the floor.  Several amendments addressing climate change are expected to be offered.  We have an important opportunity to urge Congress to support any amendment that will genuinely help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, particularly as they affect the poor and other vulnerable populations.

Please contact your Senators today and urge them to support the inclusion of sensible provisions in S. 10 that will genuinely address the adverse effects of global climate change and its potential impact on the poor and vulnerable.

USCCB Policy Position

In their statement, Renewing the Earth, the US Catholic Bishops state that “the human family is charged with preserving the beauty, diversity, and integrity of creation, as well as with fostering its productivity.”  In their June 2001 statement, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good, the bishops note: “Although debate continues about the extent and impact of this warming, it could be quite serious … Consequently, it seems prudent not only to continue to research and monitor this phenomenon, but to take steps now to mitigate possible negative effects in the future.” The statement also calls for a less polarized public debate and more focus on the global common good. The bishops call for thoughtful dialogue that relies on the moral virtue of prudence. Prudence is not simply a cautious and safe approach, but rather a thoughtful, deliberate, and reasoned basis for taking or avoiding action to achieve a moral good.

Specifically, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops adopts a framework that:

·        Supports strong U.S. leadership on global climate change.

·        Advocates for much greater assistance to the developing nations to enable them to address global climate change using state-of-the-art technology.

·        Calls for greater emphasis on energy conservation and the development of renewable and clean energy resources.

·        Urges assistance to industries and workers displaced during the transition to new and more benign energy production mechanisms.

A major concern of the bishops in the current public debate is that the needs of poor people and developing nations be addressed. These countries have a right to a level of economic development that reduces poverty. Poorer countries cannot be made to bear an undue burden of the global adjustments needed to address climate change. The USCCB supports legislative provisions to assist the poor and adversely affected communities in mitigating the effects of global warming in the U.S. and developing countries. These measures must include additional foreign aid for sustainable development as well as technological assistance in adopting more benign and efficient energy production.

Please see the attached letter of June 16, 2005 from Bishop John Ricard, Chairman of the Committee on International Policy, to the US Senate urging action to address climate change and specifically the needs of the poor. For background information on climate change, go to (www.usccb.org/sdwp/ejp/news/climatechangeltr.htm).  http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/bkgrclimate605.htm

Take Action Now!

We ask you to contact your Senators to urge them to support the inclusion of legislative provisions in the  Energy Policy Act of 2005 (S. 10) that would help mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, especially the effects upon the poor and vulnerable populations, and provide significant economic and technical support to developing countries.

 

We also urge you to assist your bishop in sending a cover letter and a copy of the bishops’ statement, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good, to your senators.  (The statement is available at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/globalclimate.htm).

 

You may contact your Senators by calling the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to their offices.

For more information, contact: Walt Grazer, Director, Environmental Justice Program, 202-541-3182 (ph); 202-541-3339 (fax); wgrazer@usccb.org; or Roxana Barillas at 202-541-3445 (ph); 202-541-3339 (fax); rbarillas@usccb.org