Arlington, VA – Peter Seligmann, Chairman and CEO of Conservation International (CI), today issued the following statement in response to the release of the discussion draft for the 'American Power Act' (APA) and the need for comprehensive energy and climate legislation that creates and retains jobs.
“The release of the American Power Act today represents a decisive, bold step in moving the United States on a positive pathway toward the development of cleaner energy, green job growth, and a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We commend and support the leadership of Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) in pushing this comprehensive climate legislation forward at this critical time.
“However, the bill as currently written does not take full advantage of one of the most cost effective and quickest paths to a clean U.S. economy, which is stopping deforestation. The bill should foster a strong partnership with private companies to invest in carbon offsets from tropical forest conservation activities around the world. For this partnership to work we need investments by the U.S. to create these offset markets and the flexibility to allow countries to participate in these markets in project level activities, as they build national programs to help us cut emissions now.
“I urge – in the strongest terms possible - Senators to allow for this flexibility, and support the affordable and immediate means of offsetting carbon emissions that REDD [Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation] will provide us. People need nature to thrive. The United States needs nature to compete and prosper. Nature will get us there if our leadership makes it a partner in this historic political process.”
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For more information:
Kim McCabe, U.S. Media Manager
T: +1 (703)341-2546
M: +1 (202)203-9927
email: kmccabe@conservation.org
Notes to the editors:
CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL (CI): Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature and its global biodiversity for the well-being of humanity. With headquarters in Washington, DC, CI works in more than 40 countries on four continents. For more information, visit www.conservation.org