Signers have business interests in every state, region of the country
WASHINGTON (January 8, 2019) – More than 500 business leaders, investors and other professionals signed a letter sent to every member of the 116th Congress today imploring lawmakers to “take immediate and ambitious action” to address the economic threats made clear in the Trump administration’s 4th National Climate Assessment.
Signers of the letter organized by E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) include executives and entrepreneurs from real estate, investment, agriculture, energy and technology businesses doing business in every state.
Following is a statement by E2 Executive Director Bob Keefe:
“Businesses and investors across the country are already experiencing the losses and other economic impacts of climate change – whether from horrific fires in the West, hurricanes and flooding in the East or crop losses in the Midwest. The conclusions are clear: It’s only going to get worse if we do nothing.
“Right now, this Congress is our best hope in Washington to get America back on track with policies that can help our environment while also creating jobs and driving economic growth. Congress must act, and act immediately.”
According to E2, the new Congress can start by passing legislation to keep the United States reach the goals set out in the Paris Climate agreement; stop Trump administration rollbacks of automobile efficiency and emissions standards and power industry clean air standards, while advancing policies to quickly deploy clean energy and clean vehicles and upgrade our electricity grid.
The National Climate Assessment, released by the Trump administration in November, details how exhausted fisheries, declining crop yields from agriculture, deteriorating infrastructure, lost tourism dollars, and extreme weather damages that will slice hundreds of billions of dollars out of the economy. By the end of the century, climate change could cost the U.S. economy $500 billion per year, according to the report.
For more information on what the 116th Congress can do to address climate change or to speak to Keefe and business leaders who signed onto the letter in your state, please contact Michael Timberlake at (202) 289-2407, mtimberlake@e2.org.
Additional Resources:
- E2 Letter to Congress: Bring Climate Leadership in 2019 | org
- UN Climate Report: A Call to Action | E2 Experts Blog
- Fourth National Climate Assessment | gov
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Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.