In February 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international network of scientists, for the first time concluded that global warming is “unequivocal” and that human activity is the main driver of it, causing most of the rise in temperatures since 1950. Specifically, deforestation and an overdependence on fossil fuels have played a large part in the decline of our atmosphere and the loss of numerous natural resources. The Nature Conservancy reports that deforestation is responsible for 20-25 percent of all carbon emissions. Another 20 percent stem from automobiles and trucks.
 
Climate change leads to an increase in disease carrying insects normally limited to tropical climates as well as an increase in heat-related illnesses. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that climate change may have caused more than 150,000 deaths in the year 2000 alone.
 
One of the first acts of the 110th Congress was passage of H.R.6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Among its provisions, this legislation would increase research, development, and deployment of clean renewable energy and efficiency technologies. This legislation also included a landmark increase in corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards.

In Memphis, we have high asthma rates due to the pollution in the air. A major portion air quality problem comes from transportation – cars and trucks. Raising vehicle mileage standards will eventually save Tennessee consumers more than $549 million at the pump. The CAFE increase will also create 3,900 jobs in Tennessee, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

The bill authorizes $125 million per fiscal year for the Department of Labor to administer grants for training programs for workers in the renewable energy and energy-efficiency sectors, such as solar panel manufacturers and ‘green’ building construction. It also authorizes increased bioenergy research funding, beginning with $377 million in Fiscal Year 2008. Furthermore, it requires 36 billion gallons of biofuels to be blended with conventional fuels by 2022.

The bill was signed into law Dec. 19, 2007.

In Spring 2007, I spearheaded a letter to the Department of Interior supporting inclusion of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) in the administration’s 2016 Centennial National Park Service program. The MRT connects 14 national parks and recreation areas, offering 3000 miles of multi-use pathways for recreational enjoyment, health, conservation, and tourism development. The letter received bipartisan support from nine Members of Congress hailing from regions surrounding the MRT.  

Additionally, I have cosponsored the following pieces of legislation to address climate change, protect the environment, and increase energy efficiency and investment in renewable energy sources:
 
H.R. 39, the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act
Designates specified lands within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
 
H.R. 547, the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act
Instructs the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency to implement a program to develop methods to increase the market value of biofuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuels by making them more compatible with existing infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels.
 
H.R. 620, the Climate Stewardship Act
Accelerates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by establishing a market-driven system of greenhouse gas tradable allowances that will limit greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and reduce dependence upon foreign oil.
 
H.R. 1103, the Environmental Justice Act
Authorizes and directs the President to administer and enforce the provisions of Executive Order 12898, dated February 11, 1994, (Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice In Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations)
 
H.R. 1252, the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act
Makes it unlawful for any person to sell crude oil, gasoline, natural gas, or petroleum distillates at a price that is unconscionably excessive or indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage unusual market conditions.
 
H.R. 1590, the Safe Climate Act
Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate targets for a two percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions each year from 2010-2050.
 
H.R. 2516, the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act
Protects inventoried roadless areas in the National Forest System.

H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act
Provides tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation.

Want to do your part to help protect our environment?

Make the Switch!

Replacing just one frequently used conventional lightbulb at your home with a compact fluorescent bulb can save you money on your utility bill and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. If every household in the United States replaced one incandescent light bulb in their home with a compact fluorescent, it would save a total of 90 million pounds of global warming pollution over the lifetime of the bulbs. This would be equal to taking 6.3 million cars off the road. Though compact fluorescent light bulbs are more expensive than conventional light bulbs, they last 10 times longer. One bulb can lower your energy bill by $15 annually and reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by 150 lbs.

YouTube Video:

• Congressman Cohen Asks About Air Quality at Ground Zero 07/20/07