Statement
Written Testimony in Support of The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, April 8, 2020
Written Testimony in Support of The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, April 8, 2020
Submitted by Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Chair, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and Most Reverend David J. Malloy, Chair, Committee on International Justice and Peace to support the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2019 (AIM Act).
- The AIM Act proposes a regulatory phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases used mainly in refrigeration and air conditioning.
- Goal: Mitigate climate change and protect the ozone layer.
- Commends bipartisan cooperation and urges continued dialogue to advance environmental protection and sustainable development.
Moral and Social Context:
- Pope Francis calls climate change “one of the principal challenges facing humanity” (Laudato Si’, no. 25).
- Catholic social teaching emphasizes integral ecology, balancing technological progress with social, economic, and environmental considerations.
- The Act aligns with principles of subsidiarity, solidarity, and care for the common good.
Environmental and Economic Impact:
- HFCs have a global warming potential hundreds to thousands of times greater than CO₂.
- The AIM Act supports U.S. leadership in environmental stewardship and global competitiveness.
- Endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and industry stakeholders for its balanced approach.
Global Context:
- Builds on the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which initiated a worldwide HFC phase-down.
- Seen as a sign of U.S. moral leadership and commitment to protecting human dignity and creation.