Global Climate Coalition 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 1500 - North Tower Washington, DC 20004-1703 Tel: 202.637.3158 Fax: 202.638.1043 Alt. Fax: 202.638.1032 October 8, 1993 Dear Journalist: The White House is expected to release shortly key elements of its strategy to prevent socalled "global warming" by reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000. As you can see from the enclosed clips, details of the Administration's climate change mitigation already are circulating. Pending official release of the plan, it remains to be seen whether the emissions reduction measures identified in these articles will be actual components of the plan and what additional measures are contemplated. What long has been clear is that the burden of actions will fall on American business. As the voice for U.S. business and industry on the climate change issue, the Global Climate Coalition regards the upcoming policy developments as critically important to our nation's economic and environmental future. I hope you will keep in mind, as you review the enclosed articles, that the Global Climate Coalition is available to comment on the Administration's policies and to provide background analyses on economic costs, U.S. energy efficiency, scientific data, developments in Europe and more. If you would like more information on GCC's viewpoint or wish to schedule an interview, please call Don Rheem or Lisa Franlclin at (202) 628-3622. Sincerely, Executive Director enc GLOBAL CLIMATE COALITION Biographical Profile John B. Shlaes John B. Shlaes is the executive director of the Global Climate Coalition (GCC), with more than 50 major corporations and trade organizations as members. GCC was formed to coordinate the involvement of U.S. industry in the science and policy debates over global climate change. Representing the GCC, Mr. Shlaes is a spokesman on issues related to global climate change to a wide range of international audiences, a negotiator on behalf of business with the United Nations, serves as a resource for the media and policymakers, and headed a group of business leaders who participated in the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. For 13 years prior to joining GCC, Mr. Shlaes served as director of government relations for the Edison Electric Institute. There, he devised and managed industry-wide governmental, political, coalition and grassroots programs in addition to serving as the utility industry's representative and chief strategist with the White House and Cabinet. Mr. Shlaes held several key posts in the White House under Presidents Nixon and Ford, including staff assistant to the president, where he directed activities for 20 White House Conferences on domestic, economic and regulatory reform; and director of communications for the Office of Emergency Preparedness, where he served as a national spokesman and liaison with Industry during the energy crisis of 1973. In that role, he received the federal government's highest honor: the Distinguished Service Award. Other posts held by Shlaes include special assistant to the director of the Peace Corps, consultant to the director of the United States Information Agency, and advisor to U.S. delegations to two United Nations' conferences. Mr. Shlaes has been involved in a number of business, civic and charitable organizations over the years and is the former president of the National Energy Resource Organization (NERO). Mr. Shlaes holds a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Southern California, and a master's degree in international transactions from George Mason University. Suite 1500 - North Tower - Washington, DC 20004-1703 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Telephone: (202) 637-3162 • Fax: (202) 638-1043 • Fax: (202) 638-1032 c oMATe PRESS OFFICE: (202) 628-3622 0 910 Al 0 BPA- BACKGROUNDER 1331 PENNSYLVANIA AVE. NW • SUITE 1500 - NORTH TOWER • WASHINGTON, DC 20004-1703 The Global Climate Coalition An Overview What It Is: The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) is an organization of business trade associations and private companies established in 1989 to coordinate business participation in the scientific and policy debate on the global climate change issue. GCC is dedicated to: 1) promoting scientific research on global climate change, 2) analyzing economic and societal impacts of policy options, 3) creating an understanding of the global dimensions of the issue to ensure that solutions are addressed equitably by all nations, 4) encouraging transfer of technology to developing nations, and 5) promoting a voluntary commitment among members to "Guiding Principles for Business" that benefit the environment, are consistent with good business practices and are technically and economically feasible. What it Does: GCC is the leading voice for industry on the global climate change issue, and represents its members before government agencies, Congress, the media and the general public. The group works cooperatively with governmental agencies and others on an international basis. The coalition contributes to a balanced debate on global climate change by sponsoring independent studies that examine the potential impacts of proposed global climate change policies on the economy. Through educational materials and programs, GCC supports an informed press and public, and an open scientific dialogue. Where does GCC Stand? GCC agrees with the scientific presumption that there is a natural "greenhouse effect" that protects Planet Earth from the freezing rigors of space. In addition, GCC agrees that the amount of socalled greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere is increasing. It is an open question however, whether manmade contributions of greenhouse gases have contributed, or ever will contribute to an "enhanced greenhouse effect," which could result in a potentially harmful increase in global surface air temperatures. There is considerable uncertainty within the scientific community about fundamental questions relating to this issue. Predictions about anthropogenic global warming are based on computer models designed to simulate atmospheric chemistry. GCC agrees with a growing number of scientists who point out that these climate models (which have been used to frame the debate) can neither confirm that global warming is occurring now or predict future climate changes. While some minor climate changes have been suggested, it has yet to be determined whether these are the a result of natural forces (like solar flares), human activity, natural long-term climate cycles or a combination of all of these factors. GCC supports a coordinated international research program, the continuation of U.S. climate research efforts ($1.4 billion requested for FY 1993), in addition to independent and industry sponsored research. GCC also supports activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that make sense in their own right, thus continuing sound business practices that will lead to more efficient use of energy. GCC believes there are trade-offs associated with many of the regulatory schemes to control greenhouse gas emissions. Some of these proposals would impose a direct tax on businesses and consumers through energy or environmental fees while other proposals would impose a hidden tax through other indirect, control measures. These trade-offs would include higher energy and product costs to American consumers, higher operating costs for industry and a potential negative impact on employment. Importantly, many of these proposals would create a competitive advantage for our international trading partners at the expense of U.S. jobs and economic growth. Who are GCC Members? The current membership of GCC is a broad cross-section of U.S. business organizations and companies representing a range of industrial sectors, including: oil, coal, paper, automobile manufacturing, railroads, chemical manufacturing and utilities. How is GCC Structured? The GCC Board of Directors serves as the organization's governing body. The Operating Committee oversees the functional implementation of GCC activities, and John Shlaes, Executive Director, has oversight of day-to-day operations. To address specific aspects of the global climate change issue and to evaluate policy options, GCC utilizes twelve committees, including Science and Technology, Technology Cooperation, Economic Analysis, Industry Initiatives, and International, to name a few. For More Information: Global Climate Coalition 1331 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 1500 - North Lobby Washington, DC 20004 Press Office Phone: (202) 628-3622 /Fax (202) 639-8685 Executive Director Phone: (202) 637-3158 /Fax: (202) 638-1043