Atlanta, GA— Environment Georgia released a new report, 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.
For the United States to make
the emission reductions science tells us will be necessary – cutting emissions
by at least 15-20 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050 – will require
major changes in many areas of America’s economy, from the increased use of
clean, renewable energy to dramatic improvements in the efficiency with which
we use energy in our homes, businesses and vehicles. But solutions exist today
that can get us much of the way there. And communities across the country – and
around the globe – are making those solutions a reality.
“This report amplifies the
hopeful message that we can tackle this problem,” said Jennette Gayer a Policy
Advocate with Environment Georgia. “We know what we need to do, and we need
more communities like these to step up.”
From rising sea levels along
the coast to increased drought and water shortages around the state there is no
doubt that global warming’s affects will be felt in every part of Georgia
unless our state and the United States takes serious action soon.
“Global warming is the
defining challenge of our time,” said Gayer. “The latest climate science tells
us that we must reduce its emissions of global warming pollutants quickly and
dramatically if we hope to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of global
warming.”
The United Nations
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change made clear in its seminal report last
year that the planet must reduce emissions of global warming pollutants quickly
and dramatically in order to avoid the most catastrophic, long-term effects of
global warming. Specifically, the most
important task of any U.S.
effort to address global warming must be to produce significant domestic
emission reductions as soon as possible.
“Steep reductions in global
warming pollution are challenging but achievable,” noted Gayer, “and we already
have the energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies we need to get
started.”
Cities and states across America are
achieving impressive results in the fight against global warming. For example,
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 on the Northeast’s Acela high-speed train line.
The report’s authors
concluded that cities, states and the federal government should build upon the
successes of the efforts outlined in the report by setting mandatory,
science-based caps on global warming pollution, adopting strong clean energy
policies, and investing in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
·
Individual states
and the federal government should adopt mandatory, science-based caps on global
warming pollution. At 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 Gayer. “We call on our state and city leaders to
emulate the case studies found in this report that show concretely how
businesses, individuals and governments can reduce global warming from
building, transportation, and more.”
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Environment Georgia is a statewide,
citizen-based environmental advocacy organization with 5,500 members statewide.
