Latest Climate Report Underscores Need for Action

April 6, 2007

The latest report from an international scientific panel on climate change impacts underscores the need for prompt, strong action to reduce heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions, Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP) said today.

REP, a national grassroots organization that includes elected officials as members, called on Republican leaders to follow a truly conservative ethic by supporting prudent measures now to reduce climate instability risks facing the United States.

"In its second report of the year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has documented that global warming is already having worrisome impacts on human communities and natural ecosystems. Projected impacts include increased frequency and intensity of heat waves that afflict U.S. cities east of the Mississippi River, and reduced mountain snowpack that Western cities depend upon for fresh water," REP Government Affairs Director David Jenkins said. "If tropical storms strengthen, coastal areas already experiencing rapid development will be more vulnerable to the scale of damage that the Gulf Coast suffered in 2005."

"Now is the time to act. The steps that must be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will produce important spin-off benefits. Improved energy efficiency will cut heating and cooling costs for homes, businesses, and institutions. Cleaner energy technologies available today will reduce air pollution and create economic opportunities for American manufacturers and farmers. Lowering dependence on oil will strengthen our security," REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso said.

"Taking dangerous risks with the only atmosphere that we have is not conservative. It is our duty to reduce the risks of global warming and safeguard our natural inheritance for future generations. It's the conservative thing to do and it is our generation's moral obligation," DiPeso said.