A member of the League of Women Voters of Ohio traveled to Capitol Hill Tuesday to push for federal climate change legislation that the group says would reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., reduce global warming, help spur the economy and create millions of jobs.

"As the world's largest per capita source of greenhouse gas emissions, the United States has a responsibility to take the lead on setting firm limits, or caps, on greenhouse gas emissions - limits that decline over time to meet pollution-reduction goals," said Meg Flack, president of the Ohio League of Women Voters.

"Our senators will soon have the historic opportunity to take meaningful action on an issue that is neither conservative nor liberal - and will affect everyone in our state for centuries to come."

According to the OLWV, successful legislation would cap greenhouse gas emissions for 2020 at no less than 25 percent below 1990 levels, and the cap for 2050 would be set at 80 to 95 percent less than 1990 levels.

Strong legislation also would implement funding for the poor in developing countries and assist those countries in reducing their own emissions, and ensure that producers of greenhouse gases would contribute to helping the poor, according to the OLWV.

"The league has taken a strong stance on climate change legislation for a simple but important reason: without immediate action, the impacts on our planet - and our state - will be devastating," said Flack.

Flack said OLWV member Debbie Schmieding participated in a policy seminar, and met with the staffs of Sens. Sherrod Brown and George Voinovich to discuss the legislation. Seventeen of the 100 participants of the policy seminar were representing state Leagues of Women Voters.

"Last year, the House passed a very good, comprehensive climate change bill. The Senate has yet to act, although a climate finance bill has been introduced, and there is a very good framework for legislation being developed by Sens. Graham, Lieberman and Kerry," Schmieding said.

Schmieding said the OLWV believes strong climate change legislation should include dedicated funding - rather than funds that are taken away from other critical services - in addition to emission control and aid for poor regions.