E2 is a national community of business people who believe in protecting the environment while building economic prosperity. Working with NRDC, E2 serves as a champion on the economic side of good environmental policy by taking a reasoned, economically sound approach to environmental issues. E2 works at both the state and national levels through its bipartisan efforts.

E2 is focused on environmental policies that drive economic growth in a healthy direction. We are centering our current efforts in the following issue areas:

GLOBAL WARMING

Carbon dioxide and other air pollution collects in the atmosphere, trapping the sun’s heat and causing the planet to warm. Scientists say that unless we curb global warming emissions, average U.S. temperatures could be 3 to 9 degrees higher by the end of the century, leading to undesirable climatic, biodiversity and public health consequences. Effects such as warmer winters, longer wet seasons and changing ocean temperatures could have serious impacts on such American industries as tourism/recreation, agriculture and fishing. E2 contributed to the passage of California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 and will continue to work on its implementation. (For more information, please visit climate.e2.org.) Nationally, we are working to build momentum in Congress to create policy that addresses global warming.

ENERGY SECURITY

Oil dependency threatens America’s economy and national security. To make Americans more secure and stimulate a stronger, more efficient economy, we need to reduce our dependence on oil and invest in domestic industries that mitigate this vulnerability. A strong national commitment to oil displacement would put American manufacturers to work building the most energy-efficient cars in the world and American farmers to work growing crops for new fuels. The path to energy security reflects the shared priorities of independence, good jobs, economic growth, national security and a healthy environment. E2 is working in California on developing a renewable biofuels market and nationally on building support for the Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act.

RESTORING OUR OCEANS

Two recent and prominent reports by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Ocean Commission have both reached the conclusion that our oceans are in deep trouble. A variety of factors have contributed to the decline in ocean health. According to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, the ocean economy contributes over $117 billion each year to American prosperity and supports over two million jobs. Maintaining and increasing the economic value of the oceans will require better management of ocean ecosystems and resources. Through proper management, we can both restore fish populations and increase the total economic value of fisheries. E2 continues to focus on supporting federal efforts to pass ecosystems-based policy on oceans governance, fisheries management, and conservation.