Friday was a historic day for the environment. The U.S. House approved — for the first time ever — comprehensive legislation to reduce America’s greenhouse-gas emissions and address global climate change.

The Nature Conservancy in Rhode Island thanks Congressmen Patrick Kennedy and Jim Langevin for their critical votes on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES). The margin was razor-thin, with only one vote to spare out of the 435-member Congress; so, their leadership on this critical issue was essential. Rhode Islanders are fortunate to have congressional leaders willing to take a stand to protect the environment.

ACES will launch the first U.S. national plan of action to address the growing threat of climate change, and help build America’s clean-energy economy. By creating a national “cap-and-trade” auction program for greenhouse gases, similar to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in which Rhode Island participates, it will begin to reduce our country’s carbon footprint while providing financial incentives to spur economic growth and protect our precious natural places.

This legislation is just the beginning of an effective long-term national strategy on climate change, however. We have already delayed too long when it comes to reducing carbon emissions and addressing impacts related to warming temperatures and rising sea levels, impacts that are already affecting Narragansett Bay and our coastlines. As we approach the December 2009 deadline for worldwide climate-treaty talks, the bill before Congress shows that the U.S. is ready to commit to action toward solving this global problem.

Now our attention turns to the U.S. Senate. The Nature Conservancy and our colleagues look forward to working with Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse to ensure passage of this critical and historic legislation. We know they are already working on improvements to ensure quick, effective reduction in greenhouse gases and to safeguard our natural heritage. ACES can deliver important benefits for consumers, workers and businesses, while protecting public health, national security and the parks, forests and coastlines important to all Rhode Islanders.

JANET COIT

Providence

The writer is state director of the Nature Conservancy in Rhode Island.