Deal making. Half-measures. Interim fixes. Politicians and the green groups that pitch them tread a fine line between sensibility and selling out.
But not everyone in Washington thinks that way. Take 1Sky. The new action coalition is working to change the rules of the DC climate policymaking game by using a non-negotiable, measurable and novel baseline for legislative success on global warming: science.
Its goal? Aggressive federal emissions reductions that are on par with the best of climate science by 2010. And not a measure short.
No political compromise. No reckless, myopic action with bogus bills like Lieberman-Warner. Science, science, science. One climate. One future. One chance to get it right. That's the 1Sky campaign, in a nutshell.
And with that come the 1Sky Solutions (pdf), the group's three-pronged policy platform of science, vision and hope, "the bottom line of what's needed to dramatically reduce carbon emissions while maximizing energy efficiency, renewable energy and breakthrough technologies," says 1Sky.
They are:
1. MOBILIZE AMERICA FOR SOLUTIONS
Create 5 million new jobs with a sweeping national mobilization for climate solutions, energy independence, and investment in a new energy economy. Conserve 20% of our energy by 2015. Invest in efficiency and a Clean Energy Corps, and challenge all sectors of society to save energy immediately.
2. SECURE OUR FUTURE
Do what science says is necessary: reduce global warming pollution at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020. Get on a realistic path to the reductions needed to prevent dangerous climate disruption: at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Design our climate policy to support and reward accelerated public and private investment in solutions.
3. TRANSFORM OUR ENERGY PRIORITIES
End development of new coal plants that emit global warming pollution. Pivot boldly away from fossil fuel dependence, and toward a clean energy future with strong standards and incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Pie-in-the-1sky fixes? Not at all. More like "action commensurate with the problem," says the group's president, Betsy Taylor.
Uncompromising ambition. How amazingly refreshing in these tug-of-war climate times.
See the 1Sky Campaign brochure (pdf) for more.
