Global Warming In The News

Environment Ohio released the report, “Global Warming Solutions that Work,” on Wednesday that details policies and practices that other states and countries are using to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“This report shows that other states and nations are leading the way and that Ohio, too, can tackle this problem,” said Amy Gomberg, advocate with Environment Ohio. “Ohio’s leaders have recently shown a true commitment to clean energy, energy efficiency, and to making Ohio more energy independent. Now, we need to take the issue of global warming head on and put a cap on our greenhouse gases.”

Major changes need to be accomplished in America’s economy in order to affect emissions reductions of 15 to 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, according to environmental scientists. In this report, published by Environment America Research & Policy Center, current solutions are referenced that can meet those reduction goals.

Models show significant impacts on Ohio’s ecosystems, as well, negatively harming Ohio’s agriculture, forestry, and shipping industries. The impact of global warming on other nations of the world also must not be underestimated, said Gomberg.

Thousands of the world’s top scientists from hundreds of nations serve on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Last year’s release of the IPCC’s report showed that greenhouse gas emission reductions should be done quickly and dramatically in order to avoid catastrophic, long-term effects of global warming, she added.

“Global warming is the defining challenge of our time,” said Gomberg. “The latest climate science tells us that we must reduce global warming pollution quickly and dramatically to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. The good news is, we already have many of the clean energy technologies we need to get started.”

In May, Gov. Ted Strickland signed into law new renewable energy and energy efficiency standards with benchmarks. The bill required 12.5 percent of Ohio’s electricity to come from clean renewable technologies and an overall 22 percent saving in energy by 2025 through energy efficiency. Currently, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) staff are working out the details of the rules for implementation of these policies.

The report shows how cities, states and the federal government can further implement 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 current levels by 2020 and by at least 80 percent below current 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.

“The rest of the world is looking to the United States to lead the way in reducing our global warming pollution,” said Gomberg. “As the nation’s fourth largest contributor of the leading greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, Ohio must act. We urge Ohio’s leaders to be a part of the solution, not the leaders of the problem.”

Six other Midwestern governors have joined together to form a regional agreement to reduce the Midwest’s impact on global warming. Strickland signed on to the regional agreement as an observer.

“We encourage Gov. Strickland to join with the rest of the region to tackle global warming by participating in the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reductions Accord,” said Gomberg. “We applaud our Congressional Reps. Betty Sutton and Tim Ryan who endorsed strong principles for Congressional action on global warming authored by Rep. Waxman. We encourage Ohio’s other congressional leaders to take action, as well,” concluded Gomberg.