Oxfam America

Oxfam Reaction to New Climate Change Legislation

23 May 2008

For more information, contact:
Laura Rusu, Senior Press Officer
202-496-1169 (office)
202-459-3739 (mobile)
lrusu@oxfamamerica.org

Washington, DC — In reaction to this week’s release of the substitute amendment to the Climate Security Act, Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of international aid and development organization Oxfam America, made the following statement:

“We applaud the efforts of Senator Boxer to advance the Climate Security Act. This landmark piece of legislation is a significant step forward in Congressional action on climate change. We especially appreciate Senator Boxer’s leadership on addressing the human impacts of climate change, which pose one of the greatest threats in the 21st century to the lives and livelihoods of billions of people who live in poverty.

“We are pleased that Senator Boxer’s substitute amendment to the Climate Security Act ensures funding to help poor people adapt to the unavoidable consequences of climate change. As this bill recognizes, it is critical that funding be provided to actively engage local communities in the most vulnerable countries around the world. The bill also takes a step toward promoting a sustainable energy pathway for people around the world.

“We applaud the commitment to substantially increase international adaptation funding over the lifetime of the bill. Efforts to address the already serious impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities—including floods, drought, and disease—are desperately needed as soon as possible. We look forward to working with Senator Boxers and other senators to strengthen the bill by significantly increasing funding for this critical need before 2018.

“Additionally, the emissions reduction strategy should be strengthened to ensure that greenhouse gas reductions are in line with what the scientific consensus says is needed to avoid catastrophic consequences for poor people. The bill could also do more to guarantee that low-income energy consumers and vulnerable communities in the United States are adequately protected.”

“The Senate has an opportunity to address the climate crisis for poor communities around the world. That opportunity should be seized.”

Climate Change »

From floods in Bangladesh to droughts in Kenya, glacier melts in Peru to hurricanes in the Caribbean, poor countries are already suffering from the effects of climate change. Oxfam America is undertaking a campaign to address the disproportionate impacts of global warming by creating equitable solutions to the crisis. We are asking that the US cut greenhouse gas emissions, and provide financial assistance so that the most vulnerable communities can adapt.