Citizens and Scientists Petitions Oppose Global Warming Treaty

Washington DC: At a press conference today sponsored by the “Cooler Heads Coalition,” a subgroup of the National Consumer Coalition, policymakers, citizens groups, scientists and state petitions and resolutions were released that oppose the U.S. signing the global climate treaty.

With Earth Day approaching the President may be preparing to sign the Kyoto Protocol which calls for dramatic reductions in energy use in the U.S., the groups noted.

The press briefing was led off by Thair Phillips, CEO, The Seniors Coalition, who displayed 7,000 individual petitions from their members asking the Administration not to sign the Kyoto Protocol. Phillips said the drastic cutbacks in energy use would have severe effects on Americans’ standard of living. Those on fixed income could be hurt the hardest, Phillips said. He noted that many seniors signing petitions are concerned about the UNs influence on US energy policy.

John Meredith, Legislative Director, the American Policy Center, brought with him citizens petitions against the U.S. entering into the treaty. People from all over the country are beginning to learn that they will bear the consequences of global warming policies, Meredith said, and they would like their voices to be heard.

A petition signed by 15,000 scientists who dispute the science of global warming and oppose the treaty was revealed by Dr. Jane Orient, president, Doctors for Disaster Preparedness. Signatories include approximately 2,100 physicists, geophysicists, climatologists, meteorologists, and environmental scientists who are especially well qualified to evaluate the effects of carbon dioxide on the earth’s atmosphere and climate.

John Shanahan, Director of Legislative Affairs, the American Legislative Exchange Council, discussed model legislation just approved by ALEC that would prohibit state environmental agencies from reducing greenhouse gases to implement the Kyoto Protocol before it is signed and ratified. He noted that bi-partisan legislators in five states have committed to introducing bills based on this model, with many more expected to follow. Resolutions opposing the treaty have already been passed in 10 states.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vice president, William Kovacks, referred to the issues of sovereignty and national defense, which will be covered at an upcoming Chamber conference.

The “Cooler Heads Coalition” is a subgroup of the National Consumer Coalition organized and coordinated by Consumer Alert. Members of the Coalition are non-profit groups including the following: American Policy Center, Americans for Tax Reform, Association of Concerned Taxpayers, Center for Security Policy, Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Consumer Alert, Defenders of Property Rights, Frontiers of Freedom, Heartland Institute, Heritage Foundation, National Center for Policy Analysis, National Center for Public Policy Research, Pacific Research Institute, 60 Plus, Reason Foundation, The Seniors Coalition, Small Business Survival Committee, The Advancement of Sound Science Coalition