May 13, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In reaction to yesterday's release of "The American Power Act" by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO of Church World Service, an international humanitarian organization, commended the senators for their hard work and a bill that "provides an initial step." But the agency called for "higher expectations" related to greenhouse gas emissions targets in earlier years and earlier commitment to adaptation funding for vulnerable nations.

In a statement issued today, McCullough said, "I commend Senators Kerry and Lieberman for their hard work and leadership in bringing us legislation that addresses climate change and provides an initial step for the United States toward a more ecologically and economically sustainable future. Such a bill is vitally needed; indeed, it is overdue.

"Climate change is the moral challenge of our generation. It is imperative that our Senators create a lasting legislative legacy of which we can all be proud," said McCullough. "We need a bill that expresses the best of who we are as a nation and what we can contribute to the welfare of the global family and this fragile planet we all call home. Accordingly, we must set higher expectations of ourselves than what is reflected in the current bill."

McCullough said CWS has two major concerns with the bill's provisions, "from the standpoint of promoting the welfare of those who are living in poverty, who are living in particularly vulnerable communities in the U.S. and in developing countries."

On the Kerry-Lieberman bill's provisions for lowering greenhouse gas emissions, McCullough said, "We will look forward to working with members of Congress to set more ambitious goals for greenhouse gas emissions targets, particularly for earlier years. Only by setting the bar higher will we be able to stay competitive in the global marketplace and meet our international obligations."

McCullough said "The current 2020 targets are so low that they are ‘inadequate to maintain the integrity of global climate and to hold the risk of ruinous climate change to an acceptable low level,' according to the Nobel-prize winning Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change.

"The longer we wait to make necessary cuts, the more costly it is in terms of human lives and adaptation expenses. Our half-hearted action will contribute to increased hunger for many people living in developing countries and will threaten livelihoods and the very existence of low-lying communities and countries.

‘Nowhere near our fair share for adaptation funding' McCullough, whose agency supports sustainable food security, agriculture and water resource programs in some of the world's poorest countries now affected by climate change, said the America Power Act "comes nowhere near meeting our fair share of adaptation financing for low-income, vulnerable developing nations. There is too little money, too late.

"This legislation only offers 15 years worth of assistance beginning in 2019. Those who least contributed to climate change are bearing the brunt of its negative consequences," he said. "By delaying assisting with their adaptation needs, we aggravate their suffering and create the need for even greater expenses later. This is a penny-wise and pound foolish approach. This is a matter of justice."

McCullough stressed the specific need for immediate adaptation funding for clean water resources. "Climate change is threatening millions of peopleâ's survival through jeopardizing their access to water for consumption, hygiene and food security. We cannot wait until 2019 to address this.

"I urge the Senate to seek higher ground," he said.

In a related challenge, the humanitarian agency head noted, "It is also important to recognize the role we play as consumers, especially in a privileged country like the U.S." He said CWS is advocating for "sustainable consumption in industrialized countries."

For the complete Church World Service statement, see: http://www.churchworldservice.org/climatestatement/.

Church World Service