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COEJL Statement Following U.S. Senate Debate on Climate Change

Hadar Susskind
COEJL Washington Representative

Washington, D.C. (June 23, 2005) - The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) applauds Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Pete Domenici (R-NM), and Arlen Specter (R-PA) for their leadership yesterday in presenting a resolution in favor of mandatory greenhouse gas controls. The support of 54 Senators for this resolution signifies a new day in confronting the challenge of global climate change.

Although we are disappointed that the Senate did not adopt the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act (S.1151), we are heartened by the progress in shifting the Senate debate towards concrete solutions to address global climate change. We appreciate the tireless efforts of Senators McCain and Lieberman on this issue. Their steadfast championing of this cause is worthy of the highest praise. In remarks on the Senate floor yesterday, Sen. Lieberman said:

“We are blessed to live on God’s good Earth. Right at the beginning of the Book of Genesis, God instructed Adam and Eve to not only work the Garden but to guard it. We are working the Garden but we’re not guarding it as well as we should. This amendment(The Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act) would help us do just that.”

COEJL will continue to mobilize the American Jewish community -- through our member agencies, through rabbis and congregations, and through our many dedicated grassroots activists -- to build on the momentum of yesterday’s historic Senate debate and vote.