JCPA Open Letter to President Bush

March 28, 2001

The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush:

On behalf of the 13 national and 122 local Jewish public affairs agencies which comprise the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) and are committed to justice, protection of creation, energy independence, and strong US leadership in the world, I am writing to express our concern regarding recent decisions and statements on energy policy and global warming. We are troubled by your decision not to limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and by our nation’s long-standing failure to secure and adopt alternatives to oil and coal. Now, with the decision to retreat from the Kyoto Protocol and its promise to address global warming without putting forth an alternative means through which the community of nations can effectively address global climate change, we wonder just how this nation will be able to lead the world from the polluting 20th century energy system we now have to a clean 21st century energy system. 

We have been concerned about energy policy since the 1970s, both because of US dependence on OPEC nations and because of the environmental and public health impacts of fossil fuel use. Now, with confirmation of global climate change by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and other scientific bodies, there is an escalating urgency for an energy policy which dramatically reduces our dependence on fossil fuels. Without quick action, we risk harm to millions of Americans and to people around the world – particularly the most vulnerable among us. 

With less than 5 percent of the world’s population generating more than 22 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the U.S. has a particular responsibility to all inhabitants of Earth and future generations to address our dependence and excessive use of fossil fuel. Though some argue that we should not take measures to address global warming before there is more evidence of harm. Our religious tradition clearly teaches that we have an obligation to protect others from potential harm if it is within our power.

We are encouraged by statements that you believe global climate change is a real concern and should be addressed. We are disturbed, however, that you have indicated that you will not support the Kyoto Protocol – which the US has already signed – without having first articulated an alternative means to effectively and expeditiously reduce global warming.

It is incumbent upon us as a nation to consider what impact various policies will have on human well-being, the environment, and long term security. Through energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy technologies and cleaner transportation technologies, we have the capacity to create a clean and sustainable energy system that will improve public health, protect public lands, help to stabilize the global climate, and move us toward energy independence.

Our dependence upon imported oil cannot be meaningfully changed by increasing oil production in the US, which possesses less than 3 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves. Furthermore, many economists believe that aggressive development of environmentally friendly technologies and products will create U.S. jobs, enhance U.S. competitiveness in the global economy, and demonstrate U.S. leadership toward a sustainable energy future for the entire planet. We must strive for a future where energy is abundant, inexpensive, and clean.

We believe that the conditions of the moment present an opportunity for rare leadership by you and by our great country. In the 20^th century, the US led the world in economic development that was dependent upon fossil fuels. We now have a chance to lead the world toward a new era of prosperity powered by clean, safe, renewable, and efficient technologies.

We look forward to hearing from you regarding your vision for addressing climate change and powering our economy into a new era of health, ecological sustainability, and prosperity.

Respectfully yours,

Dr. Leonard A. Cole

cc:   EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman