Climate Policy
Overwhelming scientific evidence and real-world observations have demonstrated that man-made climate change is a problem that demands urgent action. Levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have increased dramatically the past few decades. If this concentration of greenhouse gases continues unabated, scientists predict a range of serious global impacts.
The U.S., with only 4 percent of the world's population, is responsible for 25 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UNFCCC. The leading cause of these emissions - the burning of fossil fuels for energy - threatens our national security, our economic well-being, our public health, and the quality of our environment. Fortunately, solar energy technologies have the potential to solve the climate crisis by transitioning the United States away from fossil fuels and towards a sustainable clean energy future.
Solar technologies such as photovoltaic panels (PV), solar thermal systems (ST), and concentrating solar power (CSP) are already powering thousands of homes and businesses nationwide, helping individuals and communities reduce their climate impact. Solar technology's fuel source is unlimited and can provide energy at any scale, from the kilowatt to the megawatt. With the right policies in place, solar energy can mitigate the impacts of climate change.
For more information on climate science, please visit the Assessment Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
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Recent News
International
In December of 2010, the 16th Conference of the Parties under the UNFCCC met once more to discuss a legally binding treaty for all nations that would specify greenhouse gas emission requirements for countries, including the U.S. The conference concluded with the Cancun Agreements, building off items in the Copenhagen Accord from December 2009. Two items to highlight for solar include the creation of a Global Green Fund, which will aid in the transfer of climate finance funds from developed to developing countries. Second, the Cancun Agreements created the Technology Executive Committee and Climate Technology Center, to pump investment into clean technology and strengthen the abilities of developing countries to deploy the technology. This will provide opportunities for more solar deployment in countries around the world, as many developing nations are eager to meet their rising energy demands with solar energy.
SEIA worked with multiple solar groups from around the world to have one message at the conference: solar energy means more jobs, more energy, and less CO2. For more information, please visit www.solarcop16.org, where you can sign a global solar petition urging world leaders for more solar energy.
Domestic
While the 111th Congress did not pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation, the 112th Congress will likely continue to explore ways to deal with climate change, especially as the EPA moves forward with rules on the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases, including a plan to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. While some Members of Congress seek to delay the implementation of rules set by the EPA, SEIA is opposed to any legislation that would weaken the Clean Air Act. See letter on S.3072 from the 111th Congress.
Additional Resources
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