Gordon Comments on Global Environmental Assessment
(Washington, DC) Today the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released its Environmental Outlook to 2030, an assessment of key environmental challenges facing nations around the globe.
The report divides environmental trends and challenges into three categories – "green light" (issues where there has been significant improvement); "yellow light" (issues that have seen some improvement or are still under evaluation); and "red light" (issues that are worsening and require urgent attention).
Of the "red light" issues, the assessment highlights:
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Global greenhouse gas emissions;
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Increasing evidence of an already changing climate;
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Water scarcity;
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Groundwater quality;
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Hazardous waste management; and
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Chemicals in the environment and in products.
Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) offered the following statement on the release of Environmental Outlook to 2030:
"OECD’s report identifies critical environmental issues facing our country and countries around the world. This year, the Science and Technology Committee will be doing our part to help address these issues."
"The Committee has already moved H.R. 906, The Global Change Research and Data Management Act, which refocuses the U.S. Global Change Research Program to provide better data about the impacts of climate change. At the federal, state, and local levels we are in desperate need of user-friendly economic and technical information about concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and how the environment is responding. This data is critical to designing cost effective policies to achieve reductions, implement mitigation strategies, and adapt to the impacts of climate change. H.R. 906 passed the House as part of the broader energy bill last year but was not included in the final legislation. I am hopeful that the House will take up this important legislation again."
"This year, the Committee will also look at a range of issues related to water supply, water management, water quality, and the importance of water to the functioning of our economy and to the production of energy. Already, agriculture, energy production, and industrial processes consume enormous quantities of water, frequent and intense droughts are affecting increasing areas of the country, and growing communities are demanding access to safe drinking water. The Committee will review these issues and how new technologies can help address issues such as desalination, recycling, and conservation and improved efficiency of water use."
"And, the Committee plans to convene hearings and advance legislation to increase efforts addressing the environmental implications of electronic waste (e-waste) from computers, televisions, cell phones, and other electronic equipment, all of which are made up of a variety of hazardous chemicals and materials. The Committee may look at R&D to develop alternative, non-toxic materials for use in electronic devices, e-waste recycling technologies, product design that minimizes use of toxic material and disposal load, and the establishment of criteria to characterize e-waste."
"The OECD report provides a good roadmap for evaluating environmental challenges - and the economic impacts we face if no action is taken. My Committee will be closely evaluating its recommendations."
More information about the OECD report, Environmental Outlook to 2030, can be found at www.oecd.org.
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