Environment New Mexico
released a new report today, Global
Warming Solutions that Work, which details more than 20 examples of
cutting-edge policies and practices that communities, states and countries are
using to reduce global warming pollution. New Mexico officials are currently working toward strict global
warming limits through the Western Climate Initiative which will require these
types of actions in an effort to slash emissions.
For the United States to make
the emission reductions science tells us will be necessary – cutting emissions
by at least 15-20 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050 – 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 – are making those solutions a reality.
“This report amplifies the
hopeful message that we can tackle this problem,” said Environment New Mexico
Advocate Lauren Ketcham. “We know what we need to do, and we need more
communities and states like these to step up.”
From rising sea levels along
the East Coast, to more intense hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, to increased drought and waterAmerica unaffected unless the United States takes serious action soon. The impact of global
warming on other nations of the world also must not be underestimated. shortages in the Southeast and West, global warming will leave no
corner of
“Global warming is the
defining challenge of our time,” said Ketcham. “The latest climate science
tells us that we must reduce our emissions of global warming pollutants quickly
and dramatically if we hope to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of global
warming.”
The United Nations
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change made clear in its seminal report last
year that that we must reduce our emissions of global warming pollutants
quickly and dramatically in order to avoid the most catastrophic, long-term
effects of global warming. Specifically,
the most important task of any U.S. effort to address global warming must be to produce
significant domestic emission reductions as soon as possible.
“Steep reductions in global
warming pollution are challenging but achievable,” noted Ketcham, “and we
already have the energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies we need to
get started.”
Cities and states across America are achieving impressive results in the fight against
global warming. New
Mexico, for
example, has put in place several critical policies that help to demonstrate
the real-world solutions that are achievable, including:
- New
Mexico, for example, now
requires new, large state buildings
to achieve at least LEED Silver certification
and smaller buildings and building
renovation projects to incorporate energy
efficient technologies and practices.
- In 2007, New Mexico
doubled its Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) which requires utilities to
provide 20% of their electricity from clean, renewable sources like solar and
wind by 2020.
- In November, New Mexico
adopted strict vehicle tailpipe standards, called the Clean Cars Program, which
will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles by 30% by 2016.
- A visionary Rail
Runner commuter rail is being built between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, which will complete a rail transit corridor between
Belen and Santa Fe by the end of 2008.
The report’s authors
concluded that cities, states and the federal government should build upon the
successes of the efforts outlined in the report 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 be consistent with a national
goal of reducing emissions by 15-20 percent below today’s levels by 2020 and by
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.
“Only bold, science-based action can stave off catastrophic effects of
global warming,” concluded Ketcham. “We strongly urge Governor Richardson to
advocate for a strong Western Climate Initiative, that will establish the bold
regional climate initiative that the science demands.”
