Earth Day 2007
“The environmental challenges we face are as local as our neighborhoods and as global as our planet. The House must lead by example and it is time for Congress to act on its own carbon footprint. Today, we announce our intention to operate the House in a carbon neutral manner at the earliest possible date with a deadline of the end of this Congress.”
- Speaker Pelosi, April 19, 2007
Earth Day 2007 – which falls on Sunday, April 22 – gives the country an opportunity to focus on the key challenges facing us in preserving our planet.
The Democratic-led House believes that, by focusing on rapidly expanding the production of clean, alternative energy and reducing our use of oil, our country can both reduce global warming and make America more energy independent.
As we celebrate Earth Day, we must rededicate ourselves to address a challenge as local as our neighborhoods and as global as our planet – global warming. The science is clear; we can no longer wait to take action to solve this crucial issue that not only threatens our environment, but our economy and our national security as well.
Global warming is already underway, but it is not too late to slow it down and reduce its harmful effects. Democrats in the House are taking bold action to combat global warming and achieve energy independence, beginning right here in the Capitol. Through our “green the Capitol” initiative we will lead by example, operating the House in a carbon neutral manner.
With bipartisan support, during the first 100 days of the 110th Congress the House rolled back tax cuts and subsidies for Big Oil and invested in clean, alternative fuels, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. We established a Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to raise the visibility of this crucial issue and gather critical information to solve this challenge.
The Bible tells us in the Old Testament, ‘To minister to the needs of God’s creation is an act of worship. To ignore those needs is to dishonor the God who made us.’ On this Earth Day, and every day, let us pledge to our children, and our children’s children, that they will have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature.
Greening the Capitol Initiative>>
5 Things You Can Do To Protect The Earth>>
House Democratic Actions on Global Warming & Energy Indepedence>>