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Nearly 90 percent of Ohio’s
electricity is generated by burning coal. The result: Ohio is the nation’s fourth leading emitter
of carbon dioxide, the primary global warming pollutant. Scientists
agree that in order to avoid the worst impacts of global warming we need to
reduce pollution by 15-20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. In order to
meet these targets, we need Ohio’s
leaders to set a cap on the amount of pollution that we are emitting today, and
require strong emission reductions over time.
While Congress has been slow to
act on global warming, many other states have taken the lead and are making
their own plans to reduce their global warming pollution. Already, more than a
dozen individual states have adopted plans to curb global warming pollution, and
are using new technologies like cleaner cars, and renewable energy and
conservation to meet their targets. Additionally, ten northeastern states have
joined together to implement a regional cap-and-trade program to reduce their
emissions, and the western state’s aren’t far behind with their own regional
agreement.
In November of 2007, the
Midwestern Governor’s Association decided it was time for our region to act, as
well. On the 15th of November six Midwestern Governors and the
Canadian Province Manitoba signed on to the “Midwestern
Greenhouse Gas Accord”. This is a regional effort designed to cut global warming
pollution through a cap-and-trade agreement. of
Governor Strickland decided to
sign on to the agreement as an “observer,” not a full “participant.” Ohio can’t afford to sit
back and watch the consequences of global warming happen all around us; we need
to take action, now. That’s why Environment Ohio is calling on Governor
Strickland to join the six other Midwestern Governors as a full participant in
the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord. By participating in this
regional effort, Ohio can begin to do its part to curb global
warming pollution.
How You Can Help
Environment Ohio is urging Governor
Strickland to become an active participant in the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas
Reduction Accord. To help in our effort, please contact Governor Strickland
today and urge him to help Ohio do its part to curb global
warming:
Call Governor Strickland’s
constituent hotline at: (614) 644-4357
Click here to Send Governor
Strickland an email.
Background
Nearly 90 percent of Ohio’s Electricity is
generated by burning coal. The result: Ohio is the nations’ fourth leading emitter of
carbon dioxide, the primary global warming pollutant. This makes Ohio a bigger contributor
to global warming than 98 other countries.
Scientists predict
that, unless we act now to stop global warming, there will be significant
changes in Ohio’s climate:
- More Severe Storms and Flooding:
Storms with heavy rainfall are 43% more common in Ohio today than they were
60 years ago. The disastrous floods last fall and again in March, and this
winters record breaking snowstorms will become more common. Less than 1 percent
of Ohio
homeowners carry flood insurance. Therefore, the impacts of global warming could
hit some of Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens in years to
come. Click Here to read our full report “When it Rains it Pours”.
- Shrinking Lake
Erie:
Warmer temperatures mean less ice cover on Lake
Erie in the winter. This will allow more water to evaporate from the
lake causing water levels to lower. Lower water levels in Lake Erie will have
significant impacts on the health of the ecosystem, recreational uses of the
lake, as well as Ohio’s tourism and shipping industries.
- More Unhealthy Air
Days: Smog is formed when pollutants from cars, factories,
and other sources mix with sunlight and heat. Hotter temperatures mean more smog
pollution in our air. Heightened smog levels trigger asthma attacks and pose
health threats to children and the elderly in particular. A recent analysis
“Heat Advisory: How Global Warming Causes More Bad Air Days” showed that
Cleveland would see the number of bad air days that exceed the EPA’s standard
climb 39% and Columbus would see bad air days increase 44% due to global
warming. Click Here to read the full report.
Thankfully,
by sharply reducing global warming pollution in Ohio and across the country, we can avoid the
worst effects of global warming. And we have the policies and technologies to
accomplish these pollution reductions. Specifically, Environment Ohio is working
at the state and national level to implement several policy solutions:
- A Midwestern
Regional Cap and Trade Agreement:
- A National Cap and
Trade Agreement:
