Global Warming Solutions News

CONCORD—Global warming pollution in New Hampshire jumped 163% between 1960 and 2001, according to "The Carbon Boom," a new analysis of government data released today by the New Hampshire Public Interest Research Group (NHPIRG). Increased coal emissions from coal-burning power plants and from oil emissions were responsible for 30% and 59% of this increase, respectively.

“When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you should do is stop digging. To protect future generations from the effects of global warming, we need to stop this trend of increasing pollution,” said NHPIRG Advocate Erika Staaf.

Existing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies could substantially reduce global warming pollution, but the federal government has so far rejected mandatory pollution limits.

Using data compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, NHPIRG’s new report examines trends in carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel combustion nationally and by state between 1960 and 2001, the most recent year for which state-by-state data are available. Major findings of the report include:

• New Hampshire emitted 6.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 1960; by 2001, the state’s emissions had grown to 16.9 million metric tons, an increase of 163%.

• Nationwide, emissions of carbon dioxide nearly doubled between 1960 and 2001, jumping from 2.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide in 1960 to almost 5.7 billion metric tons in 2001, an increase of 95 percent.

• A dramatic growth in oil combustion in the transportation sector and coal combustion for electricity generation fueled the rapid increase in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions between 1960 and 2001. Increased coal and oil combustion each accounted for 40% of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions.

• In New Hampshire, increased oil combustion – largely to fuel cars and light trucks – accounted for 59% of the state’s increase in carbon dioxide emissions from 1960 to 2001. Vehicle travel increased dramatically over the period, while the fuel efficiency of U.S. vehicles stalled in the late 1980s. The number of miles driven on New Hampshire’s roads increased from 3.0 billion in 1960 to over 12 billion in 2001, an increase of over 300%. Increased combustion of coal and natural gas contributed 30% and 11%, respectively, of the state’s growth in emissions from 1960 to 2001.

The early effects of global warming are evident in New Hampshire and worldwide. According to NASA, 2005 was the warmest year ever recorded. All 20 of the warmest years on record happened since 1980. Left unchecked, global warming threatens to cause more frequent and destructive extreme weather events in New Hampshire, which will accelerate the northward migration of human pathogens, alter seasonal temperatures and snow and rainfall patterns, and increase the harm to people from conventional air pollutants.

The U.S. could substantially reduce its global warming pollution by using existing technologies to make power plants and cars more efficient and increase the use of clean, renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass, noted Staaf. “These are win, win solutions because they also would reduce our dependence on oil, reduce air pollution, protect pristine places from oil drilling and mining, and save consumers money.”

Oil companies – led by ExxonMobil – and many automakers and electric utilities continue to fight common sense solutions to global warming, Staaf pointed out. For instance, ExxonMobil gave at least $15 million between 1998 and 2004 to groups working to confuse the public about the broad scientific consensus on the causes of and solutions to global warming. On the other hand, companies such as National Grid, BP, Ford and General Electric are leading the way in showing how large companies can curtail global warming gas emissions and remain solidly profitable.

Today, Rep. Henry Waxman (CA) introduced the Safe Climate Act, which provides a long-term, science-based solution to global warming. The bill requires the U.S. to reduce its global warming pollution by 15% from today’s levels by 2020 and by 80% by 2050. To achieve these targets, the bill calls for improved energy efficiency and a greater reliance on clean, renewable energy sources, while providing companies flexibility in meeting the pollution-reduction goals through a “cap-and-trade” program.

“It would be ideal if Congress and the President would enact a cap-and-trade system for global warming gas emissions,” said Jim Rubens from the Union of Concerned Scientists. “As with acid rain, the states have often led the way. New Hampshire should therefore adopt the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).” If the 21 states with an RPS hit their goals, existing state RPS laws and regulations will support over 31,000 megawatts of new renewable electric power by 2017, equivalent to taking 11 million cars off the
road.

Roger Stephenson, representing the Carbon Coalition – NH Citizens for a Responsible Energy Policy, said “In 2003 NHPIRG helped form the Carbon Coalition with the Forest Society, Clean Air Cool Planet and NH Audubon in order to connect New Hampshire citizens with presidential candidates visiting the Granite State in the last cycle. Today the coalition is broader and deeper. We’ll be working to educate more people across the state because we face the first open primarey since 1952. Global warming demands national leadership and solutions at all levels.”

“Our leaders must take decisive action to stop the worst effects of global warming. We call on Representatives Bass and Bradley to cosponsor the Safe Climate Act,” concluded Staaf.

Additional Contacts
Jim Rubens, Union of Concerned Scientists, (603) 359-3300
Roger Stephenson, Carbon Coalition, (603) 770-9484