GLOBAL WARMING
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Drought in the Southwest and torrential rain in the middle of the nation have been attributed to the rising temperatures brought by global warming, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
And another environmental action group, the Amherst-based Environment Massachusetts, has asked the public to support the passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act currently in the Massachusetts Legislature.
The bill has passed the Senate and now is awaiting action in the House, according to Justin Heath, campaign coordinator for Environment Massachusetts.
The bill would set a greenhouse gas limit based on establishing the amount of gas generated in 2002 and then seek ways to lower the amount by 15 percent by 2020.
If passed, the Department of Environmental Protection would, by Jan. 1, 2009, "after one or more public workshops, with public notice, and an opportunity for all interested parties to comment, determine what the statewide greenhouse gas emissions level was in 2002, and approve in a public hearing, a statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit that is equivalent to 90 percent of that level, to be achieved by 2020. In order to ensure the most accurate determination feasible, the DEP shall evaluate the best available scientific, technological, and economic information on greenhouse gas emissions to determine the 1990 level of greenhouse gas emissions...
"The DEP shall make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on how to continue reductions of greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2020 so as to achieve levels of emissions such that total statewide emissions of greenhouse gasses are at levels approximately 15 percent of those in 2002."
The group conducted a press conference on the bill in Northampton last week and released a report, "Global Warming Solutions that Work."
Molly Chafetz, a member of the Environment Massachusetts group, said that global warming is "the defining challenge of our time. Steep reductions in global warming pollution are challenging but achievable and we already have the energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies we need to get started."
The report states that around the nation, measures have been enacted to reduce carbon emissions. Among these are:
"Texas has added more than 4,000 megawatts of wind power generating capacity in the last decade. Wind power now produces about three percent of Texas' electricity, enough to avoid about eight million metric tons of global warming pollution per year.
New Jersey doubled its solar power generating capacity within just two years through aggressive public policies that promote solar panels on rooftops in the Garden State.
California uses 20 percent less energy per capita than it did in 1975, thanks to strong energy efficiency policies for buildings and appliances.
Wisconsin avoids about 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution per year through its innovative programs to promote energy efficiency in industry programs that also help save businesses money and keep jobs within the state.
Portland, Oregon, has doubled the number of bicyclists on city streets in just six years through investments in bicycle infrastructure and bike-friendly transportation policies. The percentage of people who bike to work in Portland is now eight times the national average.
Southeastern Pennsylvania saw a 20 percent increase in the number of riders on energy efficient trains linking Harrisburg and Philadelphia following investments that increased travel speeds along the line. A similar 20 percent ridership jump occurred recently on the Northeast's Acela high-speed train line."
The report also noted that American homes account for 17 percent of the national global warming pollution. The reduction of the amount of energy used in homes through efficiency efforts could reduce pollutants by 23 percent.
Taking aggressive environmental steps can also build an economy, the report contends, using California as an example.
The report also looks at other nations and what they are doing including:
"Germany recycles 60 percent of its municipal waste (compared to 32 percent in the United States) and has kept its garbage output steady for nearly two decades thanks to policies that put the responsibility for recycling waste on product manufacturers and not individual consumers and taxpayers.
In Israel, more than 90 percent of homes use solar water heaters, which dramatically reduce the need for natural gas or electricity for water heating. Israel requires that all new homes come equipped with solar water heaters.
Copenhagen, Denmark, has revitalized its downtown by giving pedestrians and bicycles preference over cars in large parts of its city center. Walking and cycling now account for more than 40 percent of all trips made in Danish urban areas.
Spain has sparked the creation of new renewable energy industries through aggressive clean energy policies."
The entire report is available online at www.environmentamerica.org.
"Only bold science-based actions can stave off the effects of global warming," Chafetz said.
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