[GPCA Updates] GP RELEASE Green Party's holiday gift to Obama: a plan for environmental action

[Green Party of California Updates]

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

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, December 23, 2008



The Green Party's holiday gift to the Obama Administration: a plan for
environmental action

• "First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy"
(http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf) from
the Green Party's Eco Action Committee


WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders today said that Obama has the chance,
when he becomes President, to take the lead on curbing global warming.

In May, 2008, the Green Party's Eco-Action Committee
(http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/index.php) announced a set of
recommendations for environmental actions for the first 100 days as a guide
for Green presidential candidates.

Greens are now promoting the "First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental
Policy"
(http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf) as a
plan for the Obama Administration.

"This is the Green Party's holiday gift to the new administration -- a set
of policies and actions that would place the US in the lead among nations
fighting the advance of catastrophic climate change," said Wes Rolley,
co-chair of the EcoAction Committee.  "After the inconclusive results of the
Poznan talks, President Obama has the opportunity to put the US at the
forefront by the time nations meet again in Copenhagen next year."

"Climate experts in Poznan presented evidence that alternative energy may
not be sufficient to solve the crisis.  The emphasis must shift more towards
conservation, lowered consumption, and drastic reduction in car traffic.
The steps taken against global warming and to repair the current economic
meltdown must include all three," siad Mr. Rolley.

On December 10, the Green Party published six recommendations for economic
recovery that included environmentally based public works, expanded public
transportation, and other conservation-based measures
(http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=152).

First 100 Days: Energy and Environmental Policy: summary of major
recommendations

• No new coal fired-power plants; no new nuclear power plants; reduce by 90%
the mercury emissions of coal-fired power plants by 2012; protect human
health and the environment.in the disposal of coal-fired power plant wastes

• Ban mountaintop coal removal; ban the dumping of mountaintop removal
wastes in stream beds and valleys

• Reduce CO2 and SO2 emissions by 80% by 2020

• Provide incentives for industry and citizens to reduce energy use through
conservation and generate more renewable energy sources; enact a mandatory
25% renewable energy mix in the national grid by 2015; encourage all states
to do the same (using oil and nuclear subsidy funds); encouraging local
energy generation

• Increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 60 mpg for
cars and 45 mpg for light trucks by 2012

• Set a national phosphorus standard for all US waters that will protect
steams from nutrient growth; strengthen bacteria standards to protect human
health

• Require labeling of imported foods, foods with growth hormones, and foods
produced by Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

• Stop export of any technology abroad for projects that involve fossil fuel
or deforestation

• Require that all federal agencies continue their policy of direct
negotiation with Indian tribes on a government to government basis

• Protect the rights of Environmental Justice communities to be free from
new proposals for permits that would potentially increase their burden of
toxic contamination, and prioritize these communities for cleanup


MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
• Tally of Green election victories
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html
• Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php
• Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
• Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
• Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
• Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections

Green Party press releases:
"Greens introduce a plan for environmental action for a Green President's
first 100 days in off"
May 7, 2008
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=58
"America needs the Green Party's solutions to energy and global warming
crises, not the Obama or McCain plans, say Greens"
August 11, 2008
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=86

"Climate change experts 'lose faith' in renewable technology: Specialists
less optimistic that wind, solar and hydro power have 'high potential' to
solve climate crisis, survey shows"
By David Adam in Poznan, The Guardian, December 9, 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/09/poznan-climate-change-renewable-energy


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