Copyright 2001 U.S. Newswire, Inc.
U.S. Newswire
April 16, 2001, Monday
SECTION: ASSIGNMENT DESK, DAYBOOK EDITOR, ENVIRONMENT REPORTER

HEADLINE: Earth Day CEO Warns of U.S. & World Bank Role in Global Warming, Charges Current U.S. Policy Will Increase Greenhouse Emissions

News Advisory:

WHAT:

Denis Hayes, founder and national coordinator of the first Earth Day and current chair of Earth Day Network, says the United States can't have it both ways when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.

Climate change is the focus of Earth Day 2001 this Sunday, April 22. Tomorrow, April 17, Hayes, together with environmental experts who track global energy development, will release statements at the National Press Club charging that the United States is not only failing to help curtail global warming while complaining about greenhouse gas emissions from developing countries, but also has a vested interest in actually increasing emissions from those countries. The Bush administration recently scuttled implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, complaining loudly that the developing world wouldn't do its fair share to curb greenhouse gas emissions under the treaty. But meanwhile, the United States is quietly investing massive sums in new fossil-fueled power projects in those countries which would guarantee rapid increases in their emissions, accelerating climate change.

WHO:

Among other speakers, featured presenters giving statements and interviews tomorrow will include:

-- Denis Hayes, founder and national coordinator of the first Earth Day in 1970 and currently CEO of Earth Day Network, former head of the federal Solar Energy Research Institute (now the National Renewable Energy Laboratory) during the Carter administration. He has been interviewed widely in the media, including the "Today Show," where he is scheduled to appear on April 20. Hayes was selected by Look Magazine has one of the most influential Americans of the 20th century, and as "Hero of the Planet," by Time magazine. -

-- Daphne Wysham, fellow of the Institute for Policy Studies and coordinator of its sustainable energy and economy network (SEEN), a project of IPS and the Transnational Institute, Amsterdam. SEEN challenges the "inevitability" of global warming by exposing how public policy and public funding for energy projects in the developing world are creating a "self-fulfilling prophecy" of rapidly rising greenhouse gas emissions.

WHEN and WHERE:

Tuesday, April 17, 1:45 p.m.
National Press Club, First Amendment Room
529 14th Street, NW, 13th floor
Washington, D.C.
Light refreshments will be served.

For details, contact Stephen Kent at 845-424-8382.

Background:

The U.S. government is the principal shareholder in the World Bank, other international financial institutions (IFI's) and export credit agencies backing massive new coal-burning plants and other fossil-fueled energy projects throughout the developing world. Research by the Institute for Policy Studies and other groups critiquing the pattern of these investments in oil, gas and coal projects has prompted the World Bank to propose an internal "strategic review" of its carbon-heavy energy portfolio. Critics say the planned large-scale investments will accelerate global warming, choke off investment in emission-free renewable energy, and recklessly endanger and displace local people and environments. Producers of renewable energy, including solar, wind and small-scale hydroelectric power, are releasing a statement certifying their power is a fully commercializable, competitive alternative to fossil fuels which warrants investment, but they are still denied the preferential financing the World Bank, OPIC, Ex-Im and other financial institutions have provided for decades to the fossil fuel sector. The budget blueprint released by the White House last week slashes federal funds for renewables development 50 percent, prompting environmentalists to call urgently for IFI investments in renewables.

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Stephen Kent of Kent Communications at 845-424-8382.

KEYWORDS: ADVISORY, ENVIRONMENT, POLICY

CONTACT:Vickery Prongay, 206-931-5821 (on-site in Washington) or Stephen Kent of Kent Communications, 845-424-8382

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