Jonathan Pershing, Testimony, US House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality

The testimony argues that avoiding severe climate damage requires long-term global emissions reductions of 60-80% across all sectors. It emphasizes that because the 15 largest emitters account for 80% of global emissions, international solutions must align with national self-interests rather than uniform requirements. Proposed solutions include pricing greenhouse gas emissions, leveraging co-benefits for air quality and energy security, and investing in new technologies to maintain US competitiveness. The author also highlights the need for adaptation strategies to protect the poorest populations and calls for the US to take a more constructive role in the UN Climate Convention.

• Addressing climate change requires a massive reduction in long-term emissions, specifically between 60% and 80%, spanning the global energy system, agriculture, land use, and industry.
• A small group of the world's largest emitters—the top 15 countries, counting the EU as one—are responsible for approximately 80% of global emissions, making their participation in solutions essential.
• Effective mitigation requires a diverse strategy including greenhouse gas pricing to influence corporate and consumer behavior, the pursuit of co-benefits like local air quality, and the development of new technologies to ensure the US remains competitive.
• Because significant climate change is likely unavoidable, global efforts must include adaptation strategies, particularly for the poorest populations who are most vulnerable.
• The United States should adopt a more constructive role within the UN Climate Convention and utilize bilateral and multilateral arrangements to engage the private sector in reducing emissions.

APA

Pershing, J. (2007). Jonathan Pershing, Testimony, US House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/publications/jonathan-pershing-testimony-us-house-subcommittee-energy-and-air-quality

Chicago

Pershing, Jonathan. Jonathan Pershing, Testimony, US House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality. World Resources Institute, 2007. https://www.wri.org/publications/jonathan-pershing-testimony-us-house-subcommittee-energy-and-air-quality.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Pershing |first1=Jonathan |title=Jonathan Pershing, Testimony, US House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=27 March 2007 |url=https://www.wri.org/publications/jonathan-pershing-testimony-us-house-subcommittee-energy-and-air-quality |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{pershing2007jonathan, author = {Pershing, Jonathan}, title = {{Jonathan Pershing, Testimony, US House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality}}, publisher = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2007}, month = mar, url = {https://www.wri.org/publications/jonathan-pershing-testimony-us-house-subcommittee-energy-and-air-quality}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }