LEAP urges legislation
Students collaborate for environment, economy in Washington
Taylor Dungjen
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: News
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The Power Shift conference was hosted Nov. 2 to Nov. 5 by the Energy Action Coalition, a youth-lead group consisting of more than 40 organizations from the United States and Canada.
"Power Shift 2007 was the first ever youth-lead summit to solve the problems causing global warming," said Jim Ramey, co-president of Leaders for Environmental Awareness and Protection (LEAP) and a fifth-year political science major.
UC students met with Steve Kittredge, legislative assistant to Sen. George Voinovich, to ask that steps be taken to introduce legislation that would enhance the environment and create more green jobs.
The UC students who attended the conference asked Kittredge for cap and trade legislation be introduced to Congress.
Cap and trade legislation would regulate green house gases emitted by industries and would impose a carbon tax. Companies that lower their carbon emissions would not be subject to the tax, while companies that do not lower their emissions would be charged.
"[Voinovich] is worried about the harsh effects that cap and trade legislation would have on the economy," Ramey said. "They need to work it out, that's what they are supposed to do."
The students advocated for Voinovich to support the Green Jobs Act of 2007, which they believe will stimulate the economy while protecting the environment. The act is currently before the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.
"[Green Jobs Act] aims training programs at coal miners to teach them about new jobs installing solar panels and wind turbines which Ohio is perfect for," Ramey said. "These jobs cannot be outsourced; it has to be done here."
Ramey stressed the importance of student voting in electing candidates that sense the urgency of being committed to solving problems related to global warming.
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