Shell, BP, Pew Join Call For Mandatory Emissions Limts, Immediate Cuts

[hatrack]

BROOKLIN, Canada, Feb 10 (IPS) - Several leading energy and manufacturing firms have joined with a prominent environmental think tank to develop the United States' first comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Shell Oil, British Petroleum, Cinergy Corp., Intel, the aluminium producer Alcan Inc., and others have endorsed the "Agenda for Climate Action" issued by the Virginia-based Pew Centre on Climate Change, a non-governmental group that works with the private sector to provide reliable information and solutions on climate change.

The report, released Wednesday, is the first broad consensus of the policies needed for the U.S. to successfully address the environmental problems caused by the burning of fossil fuels like oil and coal, says Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Centre. It coincided with a widely-publicised call by 85 influential U.S. evangelical Christian leaders for Congress to pass legislation that would reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

EDIT

The administration's refusal to consider mandatory GHG reductions has placed it at odds with environmental groups, many state and local governments, and even a number of large corporations concerned that the current reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable in the long term. The Pew report notes that concentrations of GHG are the highest they have been in hundreds of thousands of years, causing "observable impacts throughout the world, and these changes are happening more quickly than expected".

"I am convinced that it is prudent to take action now to address what we do know (about climate change)," said James Rogers, the CEO of Cinergy, in a statement. Cinergy, a Cincinnati-based energy utility, is the fifth largest U.S. producer of electricity from coal. The report calls for a combination of economy-wide mandatory emissions cuts, technology development, scientific research, alternative energy production, and adaptation. It makes 15 specific recommendations that can be implemented right away, including U.S.. domestic reductions and engagement in the international negotiation process.

EDIT

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=32116

[LaurenG]

1. Wow, now if they all start investing in bio and alternative energy

we might be making real progress.

[mrcheerful]

2. Mean while over in China and India

Factories are belching out 10 times the amount of green house gases they do in any other country, mainly because neither China or India cares about air quality or water quality or what this will do to their citizens or the children of these citizens. Remember also, Chaina has mandatory abortions for every family with one child and India, its legal to leave your girl children become street whores or let them die. Yep, these are good friends of the religious right. But make sure american cars get all the blame for green house gases.

[bluerum]

3. Oh what dutiful corporate citizens. eom