Environment Arizona released a new report, 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. This includes the Renewable Energy Standard adopted by the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2006, calling on 15% of our energy to come from renewable energy by 2025.
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.
From rising sea levels along the East Coast, to more intense hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, to increased drought and water shortages in the Southeast and West, global warming will leave no corner of America unaffected unless the United States takes serious action soon. Arizona will feel the impacts as well, as the average temperature in Phoenix has been increasing steadily. The impact of global warming on other nations of the world also must not be underestimated.
“Global warming is the defining challenge of our time,” said Sainsbury. “The latest climate science tells us that we must reduce its 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 Sainsbury, “and we already have the energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies we need to get started.”
Southwestern states have enacted policies that are contributing to a solar power boom that could result in more than 4,000 megawatts of solar thermal power coming on line in the next several years. Arizona has taken such a step with its renewable energy standard; however more can be done in a state where there is a potential to reach 150% of energy needs with full solar capacity.
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.
Read the full report here.
Environment Arizona is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.
