Climate Change: Principles for Action

 

By Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

 

Most Americans have decided that climate change is happening and that human activity is a contributing factor. Today, the real debate is over what to do about it.

 

As the scientific inquiry continues-and it should-the U.S. Chamber supports public and private sector action to control the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. We believe that action should be guided by three principles.

 

Efficiency-We must encourage and require stronger action by all energy consumers to use fuel and power more efficiently in buildings, appliances, consumer products, and transportation.

 

Technology-Government and business should support investment in new technologies that expand alternative energy and allow us to use traditional sources more cleanly-while taking care not to mandate the use of technology that does not yet exist.

 

Global action-The United States should exert strong leadership to conclude a successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol. To work, this agreement must include all major carbon emitting economies.

 

There are also things we should not do. We should not implement policies that damage our economy or force American jobs overseas. And we should not enact policies that ignore the importance of having continued access to traditional energy sources-including coal, oil, gas, and nuclear-as well as alternatives.

 

The Chamber will continue to play a leading role in the climate change debate and embrace positive solutions.