Statement of GlobalWarmingSolution.org Executive Director David Merrill upon Presentation of Kyoto Protocol Valentine at White House, February 14, 2005

Good Afternoon.

My name is David Merrill and I have the honor of serving as the Executive Director of the National Global Warming Coalition. From the rising Pacific Ocean waters amidst the Hawaiian islands to the rocky shores of New England, from the melting glaciers of Montana where I live to the hurricane ravaged shoreline of Louisiana, from the thawing tundra of Alaska to the drought-plagued great American Southwest, our member organizations have joined this coalition out of mutual distress--at the alarming climatic changes we are all witnessing—and out of mutual desire that this rapidly growing threat be faced squarely. But more fundamentally our coalition is here today on behalf of all humanity, because global warming is a concern to every nation, tribe, and family on the face of the Earth.


Fifteen years ago, the largest, most rigorously peer-reviewed scientific collaboration in history-some 2,000 scientists from over 100 countries- warned every national capital on earth to sharply and promptly cut fossil fuel emissions. Fifteen years later carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning are at all-time highs. But while nations negotiated or simply dragged their feet, we have learned with painful clarity that Mother Nature, when it comes to the atmosphere, is done negotiating. The fruit of our excessive impact on the marvelous and life-giving climate system that allowed civilization to arise and thrive is becoming increasingly bitter in the form of weather extremes, melting ice sheets, decreased crop yields, and now in the past few weeks warnings that we may have little time before an irreversible cascade of environmental calamities befalls us.


But a mere two days from today a shaft of light shall pierce this gloom. The most ambitious environmental act ever created will come into force. The majority of the world’s countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol….and I am sorry to say that my country, which is the biggest contributor to the global warming crisis, will not be among them. What will be a cause of pride and celebration for the many participants will be for us a day to hang our head in shame.

And so we gather on this sacred ground to honor what the National Global Warming Coalition considers an equally sacred obligation.
On Valentine’s Day we make plain our passions, our desires, and our commitments. And it is my sincere desire that we use the universal symbols of the earth and the heart to reassure, to inspire, and to challenge.

To reassure the family of nations that the global warming policies of our President do not reflect the deepest yearnings of millions of Americans, like those gathered here today. We cherish our bonds with our brothers and sisters across this earth, we recognize our common peril, and we solemnly declare our commitment to ensuring that the country that is the greatest contributor to the global warming crisis will become the greatest part of the solution to it. The greatness of a nation lies to a fundamental degree in meeting its moral obligations to all nations. Today we are with you in spirit. One day we will be with you in concrete, sound global warming policy.

In addition to being reassuring, love can be inspiring, and we hope to inspire the deepest love among Americans for joining with other nations to face, with all our creativity and devotion and industry, what is perhaps the greatest threat humanity has ever faced.

Finally, in addition to being reassuring and inspiring, love can be a challenge. And we hereby challenge the responsible officer of our government. Mr. President, sign the Kyoto treaty and you will have the support of millions of Americans. Continue to deny the global warming threat and you will forfeit that support. As we challenge you, challenge us in turn to participate in a great project of renewal, as we put the fossil fuel age and its now clearly devastating liabilities behind us, and develop the marvelous promise of clean, inexhaustible, renewable energy and begin to build a civilization that reflects our intelligence, our love of beauty, and our depth of gratitude for the only home we have.

Thank you.