Editor: The enormous
turnout for the recent Live Earth concerts should spur Pennsylvania and Congress to action on
global warming. Leading scientists warn that we must begin to reduce emissions
of the pollutants that cause global warming within 10 years if we are to avoid
the worst impacts, including even worse droughts and heat waves.
With the right policies in place, we can take this daunting challenge
and turn it into a tremendous opportunity. We need to make our cars and trucks
go farther on a gallon of gas, make our homes and offices more energy
efficient, and use more renewable energy like wind, solar, and sustainable
biofuels.
In addition to reducing global warming, these policies will create jobs,
improve air quality, and protect our pristine places from drilling and mining.
At the state level, Governor Ed Rendell should put forth a well-constructed
plan which meets science-based targets of reducing global warming pollution by
20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. At the federal level, Rep. John
Murtha should cosponsor the Safe Climate Act, a bill that would harness
American ingenuity to achieve the science-based reductions in global warming
pollution, helping us avoid the worst consequences of global warming.
Michael Hankinson
PennEnvironment
Philadelphia
