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Global Warming NewsCities and States Are Achieving Impressive Results in the Fight Against Global Warming
Madison, WI— Wisconsin Environment released a new report Tuesday entitled, Global Warming Solutions That Work, which details more than 20 examples of cutting-edge policies and practices that communities, states and countries are using to reduce global warming pollution. “Global warming is the defining challenge of our time,” said Dan Kohler, Director, Wisconsin Environment. “The latest climate science tells us that we must reduce emissions of global warming pollutants quickly and dramatically if we hope to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of global warming.” Kohler said the organization plans to use the information contained in the report to shape debate in theWisconsin State Legislature during the 2009-10 legislative session, and offers additional evidence of the need to adopt policies instituting global warming limits that are currently being considered by Governor Doyle’s Global Warming Task Force. “We must strongly support state efforts to address global warming – especially while using clean homegrown solutions like wind and solar power and increasing efficiency,” said state Rep. Joe Parisi (D-Madison). “These solutions benefit our environment and create jobs right here in Wisconsin.” Here in Wisconsin, global warming presents a major threat to the Great Lakes as well as our farms and wildlife. And the type of extreme rainfall and flooding we are experiencing is expected to increase unless we act to reduce global warming emissions. The report names Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program a national model assisting individuals and businesses to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Focus on Energy has worked with over 1,500 industrial customers, saving enough electricity to cut 200,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually. Focus on Energy has saved Wisconsin industries $262 million in energy costs, keeping their products competitive while benefiting consumers. “As a small business owner, I know that we can protect our environment and grow our economy” said Chad Speight, owner of Chad’s Carpentry and member of the Monona City Council. “State-level policies that promote solutions to global warming can help my costumers install renewable energy and high-efficiency technologies, save them money and grow my business.” The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change made clear in its seminal report last year that we must reduce our emissions of global warming pollutants quickly and dramatically in order to avoid the most catastrophic, long-term effects of global warming. “Global warming solutions like efficiency and renewable energy are already showing economic benefits in Wisconsin by saving consumers money and creating good new ‘green’ jobs,” said Satya Rhodes-Conway, Wisconsin Apollo Alliance. “But we have only scratched the surface of what’s possible.” The report’s authors concluded that cities, states and the federal government should build upon the successes of the efforts outlined in the report: · Individual states and the federal government should adopt mandatory, science-based caps on global warming pollution. At a minimum, those caps should be consistent with a national goal of reducing emissions by 15-20 percent below today’s levels by 2020 and by at least 80 percent below today’s levels by 2050. Revenues from any program that puts a price on global warming pollution should be used to aid in the transition to a clean energy economy and to reduce the cost of emission reductions to consumers. · Cities, states and the federal government should make energy efficiency improvements and accelerated development of renewable energy the centerpiece of their environmental and economic development policies. Advanced building energy codes; strong energy efficiency standards for buildings, appliances and vehicles; and mandatory targets for renewable power generation and energy efficiency savings are among the policies that can reduce global warming pollution and put the nation on a clean energy path. · Global warming and fossil fuel dependence should become central considerations in land-use planning and public sector investment decisions. America should increase its investment in public transportation and rail transportation to reduce emissions from transportation. All new public buildings should meet rigorous standards for energy efficiency and the use of clean energy. “Only bold, science-based action can stave off catastrophic effects of global warming,” concluded Kohler. “We strongly urge state leaders to support a statewide cap on emissions.” ### |
Global-Warming-Solutions-that-Work.pdf