The Clean Air Act is considered largely successful due to market mechanisms spurring innovative and rapid change. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, as of 2005, [SO2 and NOx] emissions reductions were more than 7 million tons from power plants, or 41 percent below 1980 levels (paragraph 5). [The program started officially in 1995].
Yesterday, actors from across the Midwest joined together to show their support for a strong, transparent American Clean Energy and Security Act at "Moving the Midwest forward: the Benefits of Building a Low Carbon Economy". The Environment Law & Policy Center, NRDC, JPMorgan, Union of Concerned Scientists, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and Illinois Institue of Technology came together to consider the implications of a 'Smart Grid', low carbon economy.
What will make this American legislation as successful (hopefully more) than the Clean Air Act? Public participation. Sharing, reading, commenting and sharing thoughts--easily viewed at #ACES. It's an essential element of democratic processes to be involved with legislative development.
For Americans and the world, #ACES forms the foundation for what both highly developed and developing economies will commit to during the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen from 7-18 December. This will effectively determine the course of success and there's reason to be urgely optimistic. But not without communicating and aggressively outreaching about the benefits of the bill and giving the public reasons to support #ACES!
Why it's important that we're speaking about #ACES now on Twitter:
1. Learning--Twitter environmentalists have strong opinions and share thoughts
2. Sharing--hearing #ACES amendments, Tweeters can urge constituents to lobby local (now) Senators to veto that amendment
3. Transparency--while not all amendments and information is public, this is a great chance to be part of a historic moment of positive change
4. Networking--know who cares about the American Low Carbon Economy
5. Business development--explore how #ACES change will influence your business
6. Accessibility--information is available immediately
7. Enhances--Green businesses and organizations have all the more relevance and success. This is helping us build the low carbon economy.
8. #OpenGov--business and organization is confirming they support government outreach online
9. Projection--knowing what's happening and comparing it to history enables the green community to project future developments and get prepared for potential space for sustainable innovation
10. Personal--helping individuals connect with legislation one-on-one helps create quicker change
