Green Party Statement on U.N. Climate Conference

US Must Rejoin Kyoto, Regulate CO2, or Face More Disasters

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

Thursday, December 1, 2005

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, [email protected]
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, [email protected]
Julia Willebrand, New York Green, 212-877-5088, [email protected]

The U.S. must push for more dramatic steps against global warming, regulate industry, and convert to clean energy sources, or face more Katrinas, warn Greens as nations in Montreal for the U.N. Climate Conference.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party leaders strongly criticized the Bush Administration's decision to shun the U.N. Climate Conference in Montreal (November 28 - December 9) on global warming, calling it reckless and irresponsible in the face of the growing climate crisis.

"We're calling on all Americans to reject President Bush's so-called market-based solutions to global warming," said Marc Sanson, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "Corporations will not voluntarily take steps to end dependence on fossil fuels, cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, or conserve energy, when such steps interfere with short-term profits."

"We need regulation -- surpassing the minimal Kyoto measures -- just as we needed the EPA and OSHA to curb pollution and the lack of workplace safety," added Mr. Sanson. "A democratic nation has a responsibility to regulate powerful corporations."

Green Party members throughout the U.S. plan to attend various rallies and other events urging increased measures to curb global warming when nations meeting in Montreal discuss the Kyoto accords, and to protest the U.S.'s nonparticipation.

Greens are participating in the Climate Crisis Coalition, which is coordinating the December 3rd International Day of Action to Stop Global Warming. Ted Glick, Green Party member and organizer of the Independent Progressive Politics Network, is co-founder of the Coalition, which has established the 'People's Ratification of the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty' <http://www.kyotoandbeyond.org>, a nationwide petition drive.

On December 3, a rally titled 'Kyoto and Beyond Climate Crisis: USA Join the World!' in Madison Square Park (12:30 -2:30 p.m., Madison Avenue between 24th and 25th Streets) will feature Gloria Mattera, 2005 Green candidate for Brooklyn Borough President; Tony Gronowicz, 2005 Green candidate for Mayor of New York; and Lynne Serpe, who managed 2004 Green presidential candidate David Cobb's campaign.

"We're stressing the need for conservation and clean energy sources, and warning that nuclear energy is not an acceptable alternative to fossil fuels," said Julia Willebrand, New York Green and organizer of the Madison Square Park rally. "Nuclear power is a security risk and creates tons of radioactive waste. We need to decrease energy consumption and convert to solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, fuel cell, and biomass sources."

Greens point to widespread evidence that global warming is already underway, such as the recent increase in killer hurricanes like Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, shrinkage of the Arctic ice cap, and disappearance of glaciers and tundra. An overwhelming majority of scientists assert that the original Kyoto goal of a reduction of 5% to 1991 greenhouse gas levels is severely inadequate and urge a 70% reduction, a goal supported by Green Party members.

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1700 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Climate Crisis Coalition http://www.climatecrisiscoalition.org

December 3, 2005 Global March for the Climate http://www.3dec2005.org/-en-

"Time for Green Action on Global Warming"
By Mark Dunlea, Hudson Mohawk Independent Media Center, November 28, 2005
http://hm.indymedia.org/newswire/display/11366/index.php

"The New Harvest: Biofuels and Windpower for Rural Revitalization and National Energy Security"
By Patrick Mazza, Research Director, Climate Solutions/Harvesting Clean Energy Network, and Eric Heitz, President, Energy Foundation
The Energy Foundation, November 2005
http://www.ef.org/documents/CompFinalNov18.pdf

Carbon Taxes: A Green Priority
By Charles Komanoff, June 13, 2005
http://www.komanoff.net/fossil/carbon_taxes.php