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The Climate Program supports policy to limit and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. We seek to develop and promote a
comprehensive, market-based climate change policy framework that creates
jobs and puts the country on course toward a sustainable energy future.
We focus primarily on national policy to cap and reduce carbon
pollution, while also supporting precedent-setting state and regional
programs.
Nobel Prize-winning scientists and economists, major
businesses, labor, faith leaders, governors, and generals all recognize
the need for national climate policy that limits carbon and other
greenhouse gas pollution. Climate policy will strengthen America's
energy and environmental security and improve our long-term prospects
for economic growth. As demonstrated by a growing body of research and
on-the-ground experience, climate policy, if done well, can help to
create jobs and spur new industries. For example, a recent study found
that California has created 1.5 million net new jobs and grown its
economy by over $76 billion annually through policies to reduce fossil
fuel dependence. Carbon cap-and-trade, especially when married with
complementary energy policies, is a win-win-win for energy security, the
economy, and the environment.
The Climate Program supports efforts to develop national
climate policy and to educate policymakers. Potential areas of work
include: - Building support for climate protection among
non-traditional allies, such as religious groups, agricultural
organizations, and business associations;
- Developing ideas for how
climate policy can protect consumers, business, and workers, and how it
can promote wide-scale deployment of energy efficiency and renewable
energy technologies;
- Determining the job and economic growth
potential of climate policy;
- Targeted efforts in key states to
educate opinion leaders; and,
- Linking U.S. action to a new
international climate agreement.
We also support limited efforts to advance leading-edge
state and regional policy programs, such as California's AB 32 or
regional cap-and-trade agreements. Activity in the states sets a firm
foundation for federal policy.
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