{news} GP RELEASE Green Talking Points: Obama's plans for carbon emissions trading, US troops in Iraq & Afghanistan

Tue Mar 3 20:01:18 EST 2009

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614,
mclarty at greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene at gp.org

Green Talking Points: Greens speak out on Obama's plans for carbon
emissions trading, US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

. "The First 100 Days: What Would a Green Administration Look Like?"
(video and text) http://www.gp.org/first100

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders today offered critical comments
on President Obama's recently announced plans for reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions, the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, and
escalation of troop levels in Afghanistan.

. CAP-AND-TRADE ENERGY PLAN  After the Clinton and Bush
administrations refused to take minimal steps to confront climate
change, at least the Obama administration has offered modest plans and
intends to seek a new post-Kyoto international treaty.  However, given
scientists' recent warnings of accelerated warming, Greens oppose
carbon emissions trading schemes such as the one proposed by President
Obama, asserting that permits for polluting companies to trade
emission permits are ineffective at curbing global climate change.

"The failure of emissions trading in Europe over the past three years
proves cap-and-trade plans are full of loopholes, are vulnerable to
widespread abuse, and threaten the air quality in communities near
industries that buy credits.  The solution must involve drastic cuts
in greenhouse gases, reduction of fossil fuel consumption (especially
car traffic), carbon taxes, energy conservation, and new jobs in
conservation, retrofitting, and cultivation of safe, clean energy
sources.  There is no way to solve the global warming crisis without
profound changes to our economy and way of life," said Budd Dickinson,
energy engineer and co-chair of the Green Party of the United States.

The Green Party has offered a set of 'First 100 Days' action for the
new administration
(http://www.gp.org/committees/ecoaction/documents/First_100_Days.pdf).
 Green Parties throughout the world have urged developed countries to
commit to domestic reductions of at least 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050,
in comparison with 1990 emission levels, and support conversion to a
"low or zero carbon society."  ("Global Greens, representing 70 Green
Parties and Green groups, issue declaration on reduction of greenhouse
gases," Green Party press release, December 7, 2007,
http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2007_12_07.shtml).

See also: "Britain's big polluters accused of abusing EU's carbon
trading scheme," The Guardian, 27 January 2009
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jan/27/industry-abusing-ets-carbon-trading),
and "Smoke alarm: EU shows carbon trading is not cutting emissions,"
The Guardian, April 3, 2007
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/apr/03/carbonemissions.environment).

. TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ  The Green Party called Mr. Obama's plan
to call home many (not all) US troops from Iraq by August 31, 2010 a
minimal and probably ineffectual step towards ending the war.

"President Obama's intention to leave a residual force of between
35,000 and 50,000 troops and permanent US bases in Iraq indicates that
the occupation won't really end, and that the Obama White House, like
the last administration, wants to protect US corporate interests in
Iraq, namely oil," said Mark Dunlea, former chair of the Green Party
of New York State.

"The illegal US invasion of Iraq, based on a litany of deceptions, has
resulted in the destruction of the country and deaths of hundreds of
thousands of civilians, as well as over 4,000 US troops.  The only
acceptable order from President Obama is one calling home all US
military personnel and contractors immediately, to give the Iraqi
people the chance to rebuild without interference," added Jody Grage,
founder of Seattle's Nonviolent Peacekeeper Pool and treasurer of the
Green Party of the United States.

Green Party leaders said that a quick withdrawal of US troops,
combined with a reduction in military funding, would also free up
hundreds of billions of dollars in funding that could help jumpstart
the suffering US economy.

. MORE TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN  The Green Party opposes President
Obama's plan to send 17,000 more US troops to Afghanistan and his
request for increased military spending.

The results of the US invasion and occupation of Afghanistan have so
far been widespread civilian casualties from air attacks, massive
physical destruction, the fracturing of the country under different
ethnic and religious leaders, and the reemergence of the Taliban.
Greens said that the troop escalation would very likely lead to
greater anti-American sentiment and less chance for security and a
better life for the Afghan people.  Green Party leaders said that
regional problems were more likely to be resolved through diplomacy
and international cooperation, and that the 9/11 attacks required
international investigation and prosecution, given numerous unanswered
questions about the attacks
(http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2006_09_11.shtml).

See also "Greens call for US troop withdrawal on the sixth anniversary
of the invasion of Afghanistan," press release, October 15, 2007
(http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2007_10_15.shtml).

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
. Tally of Green election victories
http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/election-results.html
. Green candidate news http://www.gp.org/2008-elections/candidate-news.php
. Green candidate database for 2008 and other campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml
. Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
. Green Party Speakers Bureau http://www.gp.org/speakers
. Green Party ballot access page http://www.gp.org/2008-elections

Green Pages, Vol. 13, No. 1
The official publication of record of the Green Party of the United States
http://gp.org/greenpages-blog

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