Friends of the Earth asks much of the United States and the world when it comes to global warming. Current scientific thinking believes that the global warming already being experienced by the planet is not a limited cycle but a feedback loop that has the potential to change our home into something unrecognizably bleak. But the science also has a bright spot: humans may be able to control this phenomena.
To be blunt, it will take a sea change in the way we live as a planet in order to hit the narrow window of opportunity with which we have been blessed. Not only must we radically change the way we produce and consume energy, we must reformulate our relationship with the rest of the world's peoples so that each of them can be their own best stewards of the land on which they live.
Friends of the Earth will always take the path called for by science, logic and our conscience, even if we have to blaze our own.
Global warming, like any great change, creates opportunists. Whether it be bogus carbon trading, or dead-end corporate paths, like corn ethanol, "clean" coal, and nuclear power, Friends of the Earth will expose such false solutions as the diversions they are.
The influence of big money makes our march toward a sustainable future feel like a walk through wet cement. The leading global warming bill in the Senate contains close to a $1 trillion in giveaways to those most responsible for carbon emissions and doesn't come close to the reductions called for by science. And with every energy-related bill, we must fight off efforts to slip in funding for boondoggles like liquid coal, nuclear power and unsustainable biofuels. Friends of the Earth's work here extends beyond our borders to international agendas, fighting the U.S. efforts to go it alone and stave off unified global solutions.
International cooperation and mutual respect. Domestic agendas that appreciate the complexity of our challenge. Legislation that serves the people and their cause, based on the facts and enforceable. These are Friends of the Earth’s policy priorities when it comes to global warming. We need to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050. We need to act fast. We need to make sure our actions respect the rights and needs of all peoples of the planet. Friends of the Earth, with the help of its international network, provides a comprehensive view of where we need to go as a species to save our planet and live up to our moral potential.
Friends of the Earth does more than call for better global behavior, we actively promote it. Among other things, we have been working to: create a market for plug-in hybrids that get about 100 mpg; enact local laws that encourage green building and sensible transportation planning; and encourage the development of wind, solar and geo-thermal use. We also promote the most important alternative: conservation. While Friends of the Earth agrees that lifestyle changes are unavoidable, we are not willing to concede that the finest aspects of our quality of life hinge on SUV’s, incandescent light bulbs, virgin timber, fossil fuels and wars for resources.
