Make yourself heard

Dear Senators and Representative:

Please oppose the building of new coal-fired power plants that lack the ability to capture and store their carbon dioxide. Constructing new pulverized coal plants would lock the United States into decades of dangerous carbon emissions that will make it extremely difficult to avoid the worst consequences of global warming.

Funding of carbon capture and storage technology should be limited to 5 to 10 demonstration plants until the technology is proven to be safe, reliable, and cost-effective.

Analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists has found that the country can meet its near-term energy needs and curb emissions through using readily available renewable-energy and energy-efficiency technologies. I urge you to support more aggressive deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

Call or contact: Your Senators or write: Your Representative

---

Political interference in federal government science is weakening our nation's ability to respond to the complex challenges we face. Because policy makers depend on impartial research to make informed decisions, we are mobilizing scientists and citizens alike to push for reforms that will enable our leaders to fully protect our health, safety, and environment.

Contact: Your Senators And/Or Write: Your Representative

---

An in-depth analysis of the risks and opportunities in Pennsylvania.

Global climate change is already making a mark on Pennsylvania's landscape, livelihoods, and traditions. ... They may include longer and more intense summer heat waves, reduced winter snow pack, northward shifts in the ranges of valued plant and animal species, and declining yields of key agricultural crops. Heat could cause urban air quality to deteriorate substantially, exacerbating asthma and other respiratory diseases

As this report shows, in drawing both from NECIA and new research, the stakes for Pennsylvania’s economy and quality of life are great. If higher emissions prevail:

• Many Pennsylvanian cities can expect dramatic increases in the numbers of summer days over 90°F, putting vulnerable populations at greater risk of heat-related health effects and curtailing outdoor activity for many individuals.
• Heat could cause urban air quality to deteriorate substantially, exacerbating asthma and other respiratory diseases.
• Heat stress on dairy cattle may cause declines in milk production.
• Yields of native Concord grapes, sweet corn, and favorite apple varieties may decrease considerably as temperatures rise and pest pressures grow more severe.
• Snowmobiling is expected to disappear from the state in the next few decades as winter snow cover shrinks.
• Ski resorts could persist by greatly increasing their snow- making, although this may not be an option past mid- century as winters become too warm for snow—natural or human-made.
• Substantial changes in bird life are expected to include loss of preferred habitat for many resident and migratory species.
• Climate conditions suitable for prized hardwood tree species such as black cherry, sugar maple, and American beech are projected to decline or even vanish from the state.

... But there are many more measures—based on proven strategies and available policies—that the state and its local governments, businesses, public institutions, and individual households can apply to this challenge. They require only the will to do so.

Contact: Your Senators And/Or Write: Your Representative

---

The Endangered Species Act has protected hundreds of species from extinction, as well as contributed to population increases and the recovery of species like the peregrine falcon. But now the Bush administration has proposed weakening this historic legislation by allowing any federal agency to decide for itself whether or not protected species would be threatened by projects such as roads, dams, or mines.

Many federal agencies do not have the scientific expertise needed to determine when species need protection. For decades, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scientists have provided critical analysis of the consequences of federal projects for endangered species. The proposed changes cut these scientists out of the process.

Contact: Your Senators And/Or Write: Your Representative

---

Write your senators today [See Top for links] urge them to oppose any administration action or request that endangers the biosphere, humanity, or good governance and insist that the effectiveness of the action be proven before any more money is spent.

Contact: Your Senators And/Or Write: Your Representative