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Markey: G8 Global Warming "Goal" Doesn't Reach the Goal Line

Press Release

By: Ed Markey
By: Ed Markey
Date: July 8, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Environment

Today the G8 leaders announced their vision of a goal to cut global warming emissions by 50 percent by 2050 to be adopted as part of the ongoing international climate negotiations. Scientists have said that global emissions must be cut by 50 percent by the middle of the century, and industrialized countries must make even steeper cuts to avoid the worst effects of global warming.

Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, today called the agreement another attempt by the Bush administration to avoid taking any real action until the end of the president's term.

Rep. Markey has introduced the Investing in Climate Action and Protection Act, or iCAP, which would cut emissions by 85 percent of current levels by 2050, representing the effective contribution scientists say the United States must make as the world's largest per capita and historical emitter of heat-trapping pollution.

Below is the statement of Chairman Markey:

"With most of the other G8 countries already committed to significant cuts, the United States is once again proving to be the lowest common denominator in global agreements to cut heat-trapping emissions. The ‘goal' announced today doesn't reach the global warming goal line.

"And while greater cuts are needed here at home to avert a climate catastrophe, even this new goal means that as soon as Air Force One touches down in America, President Bush should get working on an aggressive plan to cut United States emissions. Unfortunately, I have little confidence that he will do so. This administration appears more interested in passing the buck than in passing climate change legislation that would make the necessary cuts in global warming emissions.

"The bottom line is that 50 percent cuts by 2050 is the minimum effort to avert a climate catastrophe, and America must make the maximum effort possible as the number one per capita and historical emitter of heat-trapping pollution."


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