COLUMBUS, OHIO — Ohio’s global warming pollution increased by 10 percent since 1990, according to a new analysis of government data released today by Environment Ohio: Too Much Pollution: State and National Trends in Global Warming Emissions from 1990-2007. Ohio ranks 4th nationwide for the highest levels of global warming pollution.
“More pollution than ever before isn’t a record we want to set,” said Environment Ohio Field Organizer Amanda Moore. “It’s time to take back control of our energy future. By harnessing the power of the wind and the sun, we can cut pollution and transition to clean energy sources that don’t harm the environment, never run out, and create new, local jobs,” she continued.
For decades, America’s use of fossil fuels – and the global warming pollution that results – has been on the rise nationally and in states across the country. For Ohio, global warming means a lot of things, including an increased threat to our national security. One local impact that is particularly worrisome is that global warming will cost Ohio corn growers 50 million dollars annually. U.S. corn growers have already lost $1.2 billion every year since 1981 due to global warming. The science shows that the United States must cut its global warming pollution by 35 percent by 2020 to be able to stop the worst effects of global warming.
Too Much Pollution uses the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Energy on fossil fuel consumption by state to look at trends in carbon dioxide emissions. The key findings include the following:
• Ohio’s carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption increased by 10% percent between 1990 and 2007.
• Nearly half of our carbon dioxide emissions came from generating electricity. In 2007, almost 90% of our electricity was generated by coal plants. Ohio has the second highest emissions from coal-fired electricity generation of any state, behind only Texas. Until we diversify our electricity sources to include cleaner sources of energy, such as wind and solar power, increases in electricity demand will continue to increase pollution from dirty power plants.
• Nationally, emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel consumption increased by 19 percent between 1990 and 2007. Power plants and vehicles, the largest sources of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, were responsible for the lion’s share of the increase.
In contrast to the trend in Ohio, more than one-third of the states succeeded in cutting pollution from 2004 to 2007 – before the onset of the economic recession. The initial success of these states shows that moving to clean energy can have a significant and immediate impact on overall emissions – and that emission reductions and robust economic growth can occur side by side. For instance, four Northeast states – Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, and New York – cut their pollution levels by 5 percent since 1997, while increasing their gross state product by 65 percent.
“We can drive the economy without driving up pollution. By moving to clean energy, we can cut pollution, help jump-start the economy, and create millions of new clean energy jobs across the country,” said Moore.
Sister Paula Gonzalez, a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati, added, “Coal, oil and natural gas cannot continue to be our energy sources or we will suffer catastrophic outcomes. Some people across the world are already facing these problems, including rising sea levels and increased drought and disease.”
The report recommends that the federal government build on the initial progress made by some states by passing strong clean energy legislation and adopting common sense EPA rules to cut pollution from aging coal plants and big smokestack industries. The Senate is in the process of considering the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733), sponsored by Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer. In addition, EPA has proposed a rule to require coal plants and other large smokestack industries to use available technology to cut their global warming pollution when new facilities are constructed or existing facilities are significantly modified.
Unfortunately, Dirty Coal, Big Oil, and other polluters are fighting the transition to clean energy. The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, a coal industry lobby group that includes Ohio-based Buckeye Power, spent at least $45 million dollars last year alone – more than $120,000 a day – on lobbyists and advertising on energy. Earlier this year, they hired lobbyists who forged phony constituent letters to Congress opposing action on clean energy. “The coal industry has proven itself willing to do or say virtually anything to block progress,” said Moore.
“The Kerry Boxer bill is a small step forward, but it will pave the way to maintaining a more secure nation for us and keeping our servicemen and women out of harm’s way,” stated Retired Marine Sergeant Glenn Kunkel, an Akron native representing Operation Free.
“We thank Senator Brown for his leadership promoting clean energy in Ohio. A bill he authored, the Investments for Manufacturing Progress and Clean Technology, or IMPACT Act, would help manufacturers make the transition to the clean energy economy, protecting valuable jobs in Ohio and all across the country. We urge Senator Brown, as well as Senator Voinovich, to vote for the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, which will cut pollution and create new clean energy jobs,” said Moore.
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Environment Ohio is a state-based, citizen-funded environmental organization working for clean air, clean water, and open space.
Americas-Biggest-Polluters-2009.pdf