Americans Voice Concern Over Kyoto Negotiations

Washington, D.C., December 5, 1997 — Showing thousands of citizen petitions against the U.S. entering into a global climate treaty, four non-profit groups today voiced their concern about the devastating effects of U.S. global warming policies on average Americans at a press conference at the National Press Club. The press conference coincides with the fifth day of negotiations on a climate treaty in Kyoto, Japan.

The organizations, members of the National Consumer Coalition, noted that the press briefing was titled “Citizens’ Voices Not Heard at Kyoto” to emphasize the fact that the U.S. is likely to commit the country to drastic reductions in energy use, without considering how this energy rationing will impact consumers.

At the briefing speakers included Thair Philips, CEO, Seniors Coalition, who pointed out that seniors on fixed income will be hurt disproportionately, as they won’t be able to afford the huge increases in costs for heating, air conditioning, transportation, food, and other consumer products. The Seniors Coalition has collected thousands of petitions from its members urging the Administration not to sign a treaty mandating energy restrictions. At the briefing, these petitions were shown and most will be sent to President Clinton; petitions from people in Nebraska will be sent to Senator Hagel in Kyoto.

Tom DeWeese, President, American Policy Center, who discussed the citizens’ “Strike for Liberty” rallies being held around the country today to protest the U.S. global warming policies being promoted in Kyoto. At 12 noon today, thousands of average U.S. citizens are taking part in local events to show that they are opposed to any treaty that rolls back energy use in the U.S. and results in lost jobs and higher energy costs. The Center also showed several thousand American citizens’ petitions from farmers, truckers, and consumers around the country.

Judy Kent, homemaker and member of Consumer Alert, who told the story of how higher energy costs will affect her and her family in their everyday lives and how she fears what the future will hold for her children if the U.S. embarks on programs to curb the use of energy. Kent is representing Consumer Alert’s several thousand individual members.
Marlo Lewis, Vice President of Policy, Competitive Enterprise Institute, who unveiled CEI’s radio ad on what energy restrictions will mean for people in the U.S. The ads are being aired this week to coincide with the Kyoto treaty negotiations. Lewis is also the head of the “Cooler Heads Coalition” of the National Consumer Coalition, which focuses on global warming policies.

The National Consumer Coalition, organized and coordinated by Consumer Alert, is an on-going coalition that includes 25 non-profit policy groups, consumer groups, seniors organizations, and activist groups, whose individual members total 3.9 million people. NCC members are committed to the value of a market-economy in providing consumer choice, competition, and advances in technology that improve the health and safety of consumers.