SKM_C45823090810521

A 1988 policy report by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) calling for the U.S. President and Congress to prioritize energy policy to combat global warming, improve international economic competitiveness, and enhance energy security. The document advocates for a multi-pronged approach centered on energy efficiency, renewable energy, reforestation, and international leadership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• The report identifies global warming as a critical imperative for government action, predicting temperature increases of 1.5-4.5° C by 2030 if current greenhouse gas emission trends continue. This warming could lead to climate instability, disrupted agricultural patterns, ecosystem collapse, more severe weather extremes, and rising sea levels.
• Carbon dioxide is the primary driver of global warming, accounting for half of all greenhouse gas warming. Approximately 80 percent of these emissions come from burning fossil fuels, while 20 percent result from deforestation. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) contribute an additional 15-20 percent of greenhouse gas warming.
• The United States faces a significant challenge in international economic competitiveness due to high energy costs. In 1986, the U.S. spent 10 percent of its GNP on energy costs, compared to 4 percent for Japan, representing a $200 billion difference. Additionally, oil imports accounted for $44 billion (26 percent) of the U.S. trade deficit in 1987, with Department of Energy projections suggesting this could reach $100 billion by 2000.
• U.S. energy security is threatened by a growing dependence on oil imports, particularly from the Persian Gulf region. In 1987, oil imports were 35.5 percent of U.S. consumption, and the Department of Energy predicted imports could exceed half of consumption by the mid-1990s, increasing vulnerability to supply disruptions and price hikes.
• Energy efficiency is proposed as the first priority for U.S. energy policy because it is the fastest and least costly way to reduce emissions and save money. The report suggests using price mechanisms, such as a "carbon dioxide tax," a phased-in gasoline tax, and an increased "gas guzzler" tax, to stimulate efficiency improvements.
• The report recommends removing federal production subsidies that encourage the use of high-carbon fossil fuels. It notes that the exclusion of interest on state and local government industrial development bonds for energy production (mostly coal) would result in $800 million in tax expenditures from 1989-1993, and oil and gas exploration/depletion costs would result in $7 billion over five years.
• The transportation sector is highlighted as a critical area for improvement, as it uses over 63 percent of U.S. oil consumption, with cars and light trucks accounting for one-third of all U.S. oil use. The report suggests a combination of new fuel economy standards and taxes to double fuel economy.
• The report calls for international leadership and cooperation, specifically urging the U.S. to call for an international convention to limit greenhouse gas emissions and to seek a total phase-out of CFCs. It emphasizes that the U.S. and the Soviet Union, as the largest fossil fuel users, should lead these efforts.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (n.d.). SKM_C45823090810521. https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Energy-Policy-Statement-A-Call-to-Action-on-Climate-Change-1988.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. SKM_C45823090810521. n.d. https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Energy-Policy-Statement-A-Call-to-Action-on-Climate-Change-1988.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=SKM_C45823090810521 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Energy-Policy-Statement-A-Call-to-Action-on-Climate-Change-1988.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{environmentalandenergystudyinstitutendskmc45823090810521, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{SKM\_C45823090810521}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Energy-Policy-Statement-A-Call-to-Action-on-Climate-Change-1988.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }