Put your name to the urgent letter calling on Europe's heads of state
to support the European Parliament's bold action plan to tackle
climate change.
Tell Them Now!
Last week, we flooded the European Parliament with tens of thousands
of emails and phone calls in the hours before the crucial vote on the
EU climate and energy package -- and it worked! Congratulations! We
successfully beat back the industry lobbyists and won a package better
than many had hoped for.[1]
But incredibly this victory could be short lived -- sign off by the
heads of Europe's governments is required at this Wednesday's EU
summit. And with the financial crisis topping the agenda, there are
worrying signs that Europe's leaders will step back from both the
Parliament's vote and their own earlier commitments.[2]
Europe's national leaders need to hear from us over the next 48 hours,
before they make their final decision. So let's send them a flood of
emails and phone-calls. Click here to find your own leader's email
address -- and phone numbers if you feel like ringing as well -- and
suggestions about what to say. We know it works:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/europe_climate_summit/
Far from being an excuse to water down our shift to a cleaner, greener
economy, the financial crisis gives us good reason to accelerate this
change. Massive investment in the transport, power infrastructure and
industries of the future will help to revive our economies, cut our
energy bills and prepare us better for the challenges ahead. Delays
will cost us more down the track, whereas ambitious action now will
fuel Europe's economy.
But we are also up against another mighty force -- lobbyists are at
work, demanding massive free permits to pollute and delays which will
threaten the global deal to stop climate catastrophe. They are using
the financial crisis to put fear into governments, predicting economic
catastrophe if energy intensive industries are not protected and if
governments proceed with plans to mandate investment in renewable
energy.[3]
We have only a limited time before the heads of nations meet to
determine Europe's climate and energy package. If watered down now,
our chances of success in securing a bold global deal next year will
be severely undermined. We've shown we can change minds before, now's
time to strongly advocate for the positive impact a bold package will
have on both our planet and our climate.
http://www.avaaz.org/en/europe_climate_summit/
With hope and determination,
Brett, Paul, Pascal, Veronique, Graziela, Ricken, Ben, Iain, Milena
and the whole Avaaz team
Sources:
[1] Main points of the plan approved by Parliament: faster pricing of
emissions allowances to encourage cleaner, greener industry -- all
power stations will have to buy their pollution allowances from 2013
instead of getting anything for free, and heavy industry permits will
be phased out from 2013. Offsets were cut significantly, and bold new
longer-term targets of 50% emissions reductions by 2035 and 60-80% by
2050 were set. For the first time, an emissions ceiling was set to
stop dirty coal-fired power – though it will need to be strengthened
-- and significant funds were allocated for helping developing
countries go green, as well as research into carbon capture. There's
much more to do, but this package is a real advance. See setback for
industry on green "Super Tuesday":
http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2008/10/setback-for-industry-on-green-super-tuesday-/62578.aspx
[2] On the concerns about Wednesday's summit:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/oct/09/energy.climatechange
[3] E3G -- Ten Reasons Why Giving Free ETS Allowances will Not Protect
EU Jobs or Competitiveness:
http://avaazpress.s3.amazonaws.com/66_Ten%20Reasons%20Why%20Free%20Allowances%20Will%20Not%20Preserve%20EU%20Competitiveness%20and%20Jobs.pdf
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ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning
organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the
world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in
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