Oxfam Action Corps NYC Lobbies Representative Eliot Engel

Oxfam Action Corps NYC met today with staff for Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY) to ask him to sign the Principles for Global Warming Legislation letter, released by Representatives Markey, Waxman, and Inslee. Specifically, we asked Representative Engel to agree to the following four principles:

1) Reduce emissions to avoid dangerous global warming;
2) Transition America to a clean energy economy;
3) Recognize and minimize any economic impacts from global warming legislation; and
4) Aid communities and ecosystems vulnerable to harm from global warming.

We explained that climate change is hurting those least responsible for carbon emissions and asked Representative Engel to stand up for those hit first and worst. Representative Engel has already taken many steps towards reducing climate change impacts on our environment and his staff informed us that he is in the process of reviewing the letter and agrees with many of its major principles.
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HOUSE LEGISLATION TACKLES CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON POOR

Washington, DC— Oxfam America applauded the leadership of Massachusetts Representative Ed Markey, Chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, for proposing strong climate change legislation to be introduced next week.

Oxfam America president Raymond C. Offenheiser made the following statement:
“We commend Chairman Markey for putting forward a landmark bill that breaks new ground in creating a fair and effective approach to climate change policy.

“The bill’s funding of international adaptation efforts for vulnerable developing countries is critically needed. While least responsible for causing climate change, poor people bear the brunt of global warming’s impact and the United States has a responsibility to assist communities cope with a drastically changing climate.

“The bill also marks important steps forward by addressing necessary long-term cuts in emissions, by ensuring that all polluters pay for allowances by 2020, by dedicating significant funds to international clean energy technology development and by minimizing the negative financial impacts on low-income communities in the US. We now look forward to working with Chairman Markey and the rest of the Congress to ensure that funding for climate adaptation needs in developing countries is adequate and that the other important provisions in this bill become law.”
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Join Us to Lobby Congress on Climate Change Legislation

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has released a substitute amendment that will replace the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (S. 2191) and will be introduced on the Senate floor on June 2nd. The bill provides international adaptation funding that is critical for helping poor people adapt to increasingly severe weather events. Oxfam Action Corps NYC volunteers will be meeting with Congressional district offices over the next few weeks and months to talk about this important piece of legislation and future amendments. Fill out our survey to tell us how you'd like to be involved.
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