Gov. Rendell & State Leaders Urged to Adopt State-Level Global Warming Plan
Philadelphia, PA— PennEnvironment released a new report today, Global Warming Solutions that Work, which details more than 20 examples of cutting-edge programs that communities, states and countries are using to reduce global warming pollution. The report was released as the Rendell administration is considering adoption of a state-level global warming plan, and includes highlights of Pittsburgh’s green building work and the improved rail service from Philadelphia to Harrisburg.
“As challenging as the problem of global warming may be, this report clearly shows that solutions are available,” said Nathan Willcox, energy and clean air advocate for PennEnvironment. “But in order to solve global warming in Pennsylvania and worldwide, we’ll need to make these clean energy success stories the norm, not the exception.”
Left unchecked, global warming could bring to Pennsylvania everything from more heat-related deaths and unhealthy air days, to more severe flooding and the loss of native plant and animal species. In order to avoid the worst consequences of global warming, scientists have said that the United States must cut emissions at least 15-20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. A worldwide effort will be needed to accomplish this, but given that Pennsylvania produces more global warming pollution than all but two other states (Texas and California), PennEnvironment is calling for the Commonwealth to lead the way.
“For too long, Pennsylvania has been a big part of the global warming problem,” said Willcox. “But through a state-level global warming plan that draws from the programs outlined in this report, we can become a key part of the solution.”
Willcox also drew attention to two key energy bills being debated in the Senate—House Bill 2200 and Special Session House Bill 1—which, if passed, would help bring about advancements in energy efficiency and renewable energy for Pennsylvania on par with the other state success stories documented in today’s report.
“We desperately need to get serious about cutting our energy use and diversifying what sources our energy comes from in Pennsylvania, in order to tackle global warming and to protect our economy,” said Willcox. “House Bill 2200 and Special Session House Bill 1 are critical first steps in this effort, and the Senate should pass these bills before its summer recess.”
Achieving significant reductions in global warming pollution 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 – including some in Pennsylvania – are making those solutions a reality.
In Pennsylvania, for example, today’s report highlights a 20 percent increase in the number of riders on the Amtrak trains linking Harrisburg and Philadelphia following investments that increased the trains’ travel speeds. And in Pittsburgh, the city’s leadership in promoting green building has resulted in it ranking eighth nationally among cities for the amount of LEED-certified floor space. LEED (which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a system by which the U.S. Green Building Council recognizes green buildings.
Other global warming solutions cited in the report included bike-friendly planning in Portland, Oregon; recycling efforts in Germany; energy efficiency improvements in industrial facilities in Wisconsin; transit-oriented development in Northern Virginia; and the dramatic growth of wind power in Texas and solar power in New Jersey. Some of the success stories were grown out of the efforts of private citizens and businesses, while others showcased how government programs can be a catalyst for change.
The report concluded that cities, states and the federal government should build upon these success stories 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 call for reducing emissions 15-20 percent below today’s levels by 2020 and 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.
In 2007, Gov. Rendell announced that he would be unveiling a “comprehensive strategy to make Pennsylvania a leader in addressing climate change.” PennEnvironment applauded the announcement, and has urged the governor to follow the lead of other states, such as New Jersey, that have unveiled state-level global warming plans with strong science-based pollution reduction targets.
“Only bold, science-based action can stave off catastrophic effects of global warming,” concluded Willcox. “PennEnvironment looks forward to continuing our work with Gov. Rendell and state leaders to help Pennsylvania adopt a state-level global warming plan that measures up to the scope of the global warming challenge.”
To read the full report, click here.
