WASHINGTON – As representatives from 195 countries gather in Paris to negotiate a new international agreement on climate change, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) authored an oped on the need for long-term research and strong public-private partnerships to address the causes and respond to the consequences of climate change.
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The oped is part of the White House’s series, Act On Climate, a collection of voices on the need for global action to combat climate change.
Excerpts from Coons’ oped: “Fighting climate change depends on long-term research and effective public-private partnerships
“We’ve seen the impact of public-private collaboration in my home state of Delaware. Since 2009, we’ve been part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a partnership of mid-Atlantic and northeastern states that seeks to implement market-based policies to reduce vehicle emissions. Over the past six years, Delaware has reduced greenhouse gas emissions more than any other state in the United States, and we’ve increased our solar generating capacity by over 6,000 percent.”
“It is unrealistic for any nation, large or small, to make substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions without viable alternative energy sources to make the transition to low-carbon energy systems. It’s equally difficult without significant improvements in energy efficiency that will help us use energy more wisely.”
“Making real progress fighting climate change requires businesses and governments around the world to work cooperatively to make clean energy affordable for consumers and commercially viable for businesses.”
“The global community is stronger when public and private sector leaders are working together. That’s something I’ve fought for in the Senate, and that’s the message I’ll be bringing to the negotiations in Paris this weekend.”