What the heck is the Kigali Amendment? How can it teach us about the approach we should take on CO2 emissions? Both are excellent questions, and they are important questions that have to be answered. The Kigali is an addition to the Montreal Protocol on protecting the Ozone Layer. The process is to phase out of production and use substances that are identified as being responsible for ozone depletion.
What makes this Kigali Amendment different is that governments, industry, labor, and both political parties support it. All agree that reducing Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) is good for industry; it will grow jobs and increase tax revenue. Consumers will be given viable replacements for the HFC gasses that are safe, efficient, and affordable.
Air conditioning systems are one of the biggest consumers of HFC, yet under these new rules, a sensible approach is being taken. New methods are better for the environment, and as our economy grows, the need for cooling more homes, offices, factories, and cars can be done efficiently with the new HFC replacements. Existing structures, like your home that has an older air conditioning system, means you will be able to continue to use your existing system for the balance of its useful life. When it is time for you to replace your cooling system, then more energy efficient and environmentally friendly systems can be installed.
What makes this Kigali Amendment different is that everyone is working together with common sense goals that will produce a better quality environment for future generations, without paying a hefty price.
What other products will the new Kigali Amendment affect? Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are greenhouse gases (GHGs), commonly used by federal, state and local governments, agencies, homes and businesses. We already spoke about air conditioning, but HFCs have a wide variety of applications, including refrigeration, building insulation, fire extinguishing systems, and aerosols, just to name a few. This is an agreement for the private sector to follow. It has significant support in the business community because they have prepared for the change and accordingly have modified the manufacture of items that produce HFCs.
The Kigali Amendment was agreed to in October 2016 by over 170 nations. The United States has yet to ratify the agreement, and that would have to come from the Trump Administration. It is important that America joins in on this prudent agreement.
Here are some reasons as to why you should consider encouraging your Congressmen and Senators to tell the president to approve this sensible approach to producing cleaner air.
• Long Bi-Partisan Support: Conservatives and Republicans have long advocated intelligent, effective environmental stewardship. The Kigali Amendment not only places the U.S. as a leader in common sense environmental stewardship, but it also provides the U.S. an economic and manufacturing advantage.
• American Advantage: it has overwhelming support by major American businesses. The Kigali Amendment gives American companies an advantage in technology, manufacturing, and investment, which will lead to job creation.
• Protect American Manufacturing: not supporting The Kigali Amendment undermines American investment and ingenuity. It will put America on the sidelines by putting manufacturing businesses and workers at a severe disadvantage in an already competitive international marketplace.
• American Businesses stand behind the Kigali Amendment: U.S. manufacturing companies that employ the forgotten American workers stand behind the Kigali Amendment. It’s time for President Trump and the U.S. administration to do the same.
This comprehensive approach, which has all the stakeholders working together to solve a severe problem, proves that by taking away the political agenda, things can get done. This effective Kigali Amendment is a win for all the parties. American companies have proven their commitment to this amendment by committing $5 billion through 2025 in R&D and capital investment to commercialize high-efficiency equipment using next-generation refrigerants.
The Kigali Amendment will create 33,000 American jobs in less than ten years and will generate $3.0 billion in additional labor income.
Fluorocarbon-based manufacturing industries in the U.S. directly employ 589,000 Americans, with an industry-wide payroll of more than $39 billion per year.
The fluorocarbon industry in the U.S. indirectly supports 494,000 American jobs with a $36 billion annual payroll.
The sprit of cooperation with all the parties can be a great example as to how the world can approach the challenges of CO2. It’s time to act: make the call to your senators and representative and tell them it’s time to tell the Executive branch that jobs and investment are at risk if the U.S. government fails to act. Tell them to call President Trump and tell him you want the Kigali Amendment passed and signed.
Dan Perkins is an author of both thrillers and children’s books. He appears on over 1,100 radio stations. Mr. Perkins appears regularly on international TV talk shows, he is current events commentator for seven blogs, and a philanthropist with his foundation for American veterans, Songs and Stories for Soldiers, Inc. More information about him, his writings, and other works are available on his website, DanPerkins.guru. To read more of his reports — Click Here Now.
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