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.

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.

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”.  

• Rising Temperatures: Ohioans are already experiencing the impacts of global warming. In 2006, the average temperature in Columbus was 2.0° F above the 30-year average, and 2.8° F above average in Cleveland. Click here to read our full report “Feeling the heat: Global Warming and Rising Temperatures”.

• 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: