WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 27, 2009) - CARE USA's President and CEO, Helene Gayle, issued the following statement in response to passage of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, in the House of Representatives today by a vote of 219 to 212:
"We applaud the leadership demonstrated today in the House of Representatives. Passage of the climate change bill is an important first step toward combating climate change and marks the first time comprehensive climate legislation has passed either house of Congress.
"This legislation begins the process of tackling one of the most important issues facing the entire international community. We are pleased that the bill includes provisions to support the efforts of developing countries to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change.
"Estimates of the need for international adaptation are in the tens of billions of dollars, and robust investments are vital and already urgently needed. Today, more than one billion people survive on close to $1.00 a day and already live on the edge of crisis. Climate change is expected to have a disproportionate impact on the poorest of the poor – people who are least responsible for climate change and whose levels of vulnerability are great. The bill begins to provide these vulnerable communities the support they so desperately need.
"Successful global climate negotiations, culminating in December in Copenhagen, depend greatly on concrete U.S. leadership. Our action can ensure that we do not act alone but that other countries join us around shared goals and responsibilities. The American Clean Energy and Security Act is an important first step in demonstrating that critical U.S. leadership.
"CARE, therefore, welcomes passage of this landmark legislation, and we look forward to strengthening U.S. efforts to combat climate change as the debate moves into the Senate."
:
Washington, D.C.: Nolu Crockett-Ntonga, CARE,
nntonga@care.org, +1.202.595.2806, +1.202.219.1969
