Environment New Hampshire
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. Members of Gov. Lynch’s New Hampshire Climate
Action Taskforce are currently working to create a state climate action plan
which will require these types of actions to slash emissions.
According to climate
scientists worldwide, the United
States must cut greenhouse gas emissions by
at least 15-20 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050 to avoid the worst
effects of global warming. This report highlights how increased use of clean,
renewable energy, dramatic improvements in building efficiency for homes and
businesses, and increased fuel efficiency in vehicles are necessary solutions
to address global warming, and how communities across the country – and around
the globe – are making those solutions a reality.
“Global warming is the
defining challenge of our time,” said Erika Staaf, Advocate with Environment
New Hampshire. “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.”
From rising sea levels, to
more intense storms and flooding to the increased number of high-temperature
days, global warming will leave no corner of New Hampshire unaffected unless the state –
and country – takes serious action soon. The impact of global warming on other nations
of the world also must not be underestimated.
The United Nations
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change made clear in its seminal report last
year that 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. 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 Staaf, “and we already
have the energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies we need to get
started.”
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.
- New Hampshire 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 Staaf. “We strongly urge our state leaders to support
a statewide cap on emissions.”
