-----Original Message----- From: Jeremy Martin [mailto:jmar...@ucsusa.org]
I am writing to ask for your help educating members of Congress on the science of indirect land use changes. Recent events have shown us that scientific voices can influence policy on this issue. In April, a letter from more than 175 experts from across the nation helped persuade California leaders to include indirect land use change in the lifecycle analyses of heat-trapping emissions from biofuels under the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Recent peer-reviewed research indicates that conventional biofuels can directly or indirectly result in substantial heat-trapping emissions through the conversion of forests and grasslands to croplands to accommodate biofuel production. More recently, indirect land use has become a hot topic on Capitol Hill. Just this last Friday, pressure from the ethanol industry led to changes in the important climate legislation that was approved by the House of Representatives. These modifications delay EPA*s consideration of emissions from indirect land use for six years. This setback fundamentally reflects that members of Congress are still not very aware of the science on this issue. That is why this is such a critical moment for experts like you to add your voice to the record. Let Congress know that climate regulations must be based on science, and biofuel policies must recognize the emissions that are caused by land conversion. Toward this end, please join Drs. Daniel Kammen (Berkeley), Pamela Matson (Stanford), Thomas Lovejoy (Heinz Center), Stuart Pimm (Duke), William Schlesinger (Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies), and UCS Director of Science and Policy, Peter Frumhoff, by endorsing this National Scientists and Economists* Statement on Biofuels and Land Use. Please be sure to pass this message along to qualified colleagues to help ensure that federal fuel standards are based on the best available science. This statement is open to Ph.D. professionals at universities and research institutions who have expertise relevant to the scientific and economic dimensions of climate change or land use change, including research related to biofuels, agriculture, forestry, and land use patterns. All signatures will be reviewed to ensure they meet the stated criteria. You can review the letter and if you approve sign on here: https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1759. The following web page also has an option to direct the letter to others, but I am also happy to do this directly if you have other names of people I should contact. http://action.ucsusa.org/site/Ecard?ecard_id=1341&JServSessionIdr011=abv8zkq6u2.app306a Sincerely, Jeremy Jeremy I. Martin, Ph.D. Senior Scientist Clean Vehicles Group Union of Concerned Scientists 1825 K Street NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20006-1232 202-331-6946
