Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Why does there need to be a Jewish initiative on climate change? Isn't everyone concerned about global warming today?
    
   Yes, many people are and we applaud their efforts. The scale and urgency of the problem requires everyone to play their part. We believe that the Jewish people has a unique, potentially immense, and until now, untapped contribution to make, through its combination of ethical wisdom, scientific and business know-how and activist passion.
2. What kind of organization is Jewish Climate Initiative? Non-profit, for profit or a hybrid?
    
   We are a non-governmental, civil society organization. Ours is a not-for-profit venture, however, we approach this in the spirit of entrepreneurship that characterizes any start up enterprise. We believe that business and industry have an important role to play, particularly in moving from "business as usual" to new models in support of a carbon-free economy. Therefore we will also support the creation of new enterprises and the commercialization of new technologies.
3. Why do you need to subsidize investment in clean technology research? Won't market forces and the profit motive ensure that the sector is adequately funded?
    
   Private investment in vital but it is unlikely to be sufficient to meet the challenge of climate change. Global warming is, "the largest ever market failure", (in the words of UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.) Emissions of CO2 involved huge external costs that were not factored into production decisions. Likewise, clean technology research has huge external benefits which will not all be factored into private investment decisions. Therefore additional funds will be necessary to raise clean technology R and D to the optimal societal level.
4. Is Jewish Climate Initiative affiliated with any particular stream of Judaism?
    
   No. Our founders hold a range of views spanning from Reform to Modern Orthodox, but Jewish Climate Initiative has no denominational affiliation. We will work together with any of the streams of Judaism that shares our goal of developing a decisive Jewish response to climate change. We believe that the urgency of the global warming crisis requires us to transcend our difference and work together.
5. Isn't the scale of the problem too vast? What makes you think that you can make a difference?
    
   The magnitude of the required shift in policy, behavior and consciousness is vast, yet our awareness of the problem demands that we not desist from action.