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Global Warming

Help Fight Global Warming!

Global Warming is upon us. Our planet is getting hotter and our climate is changing, Of the 20 hottest years on record, 19 occurred in the 1980’s or later. Over the last century, average global temperatures have increased by 1 degree. Temperatures are predicted to rise another 3-9 degrees unless we take action by reducing human contributions of greenhouse gases.

What is Global Warming?

Global Warming or climate change is the increasing average annual global temperature and is caused by the build-up of unnatural amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG), like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). Burning fossil fuels, like coal and oil, emit greenhouse gases that build-up to trap heat and warm the lower atmosphere. During the 19th and 20th century, industrialization, fueled by the combustion of fossil fuels contributed unprecedented amounts of GHG emissions. Approximately 80% of global CO2 emissions are due to fossil fuel combustion.

Today, dramatic changes in climate are occurring throughout the U.S. and across the planet. Impacts from climate change include increasing intensity of storms, severe droughts, drowning polar bears, melting and disappearing glaciers around the world, and rising sea levels. Additionally, our oceans, bays, and estuaries are getting warmer, which contributes to the creation of more intense hurricanes and tropical storms.

How is Global Warming Affecting New York and Connecticut?

New York enjoys nearly 10,000 miles of coast, including Lake Ontario, the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island Sound, the Finger Lakes and Lake Erie, while Connecticut has over 600 miles of coast, largely on or near Long Island Sound. Connecticut and New York’s geography leaves us particularly susceptible to the damage from rising sea levels. Studies by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that a 1-foot rise in sea level could occur along the Atlantic Coast as early as 2025!

The EPA estimates that barrier beaches could suffer extensive damage from sea level rise and coastal storms. The direct impacts of sea level rise include beach erosion, complete loss of beaches, increased flooding, loss of ecologically important wetlands, and saltwater contamination of drinking water on Long Island. Tourism and commercial and recreational fishing will be negatively impacted. It is estimated that sea level has already risen 10 inches in New York in the last century. Today, many of our coastal beaches suffer from severe beach erosion.

Documented in Climate Change in the U.S. North East, the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment, scientists estimate that the water levels in the Great Lakes could fall as much as ten feet within the next century, while sea levels rise. Lower water levels in the Great Lakes could lead to a loss of habitat for wildlife and reduced energy generated by clean hydroelectric facilities in Niagara Falls. The report also found that summers could be similar to those now experienced in the South. The full report is available at www.northeastclimateimpacts.org.

There ARE Solutions!
Global warming can seem overwhelming, but understanding how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the best way to combat global warming. Both individual and collective actions help curb climate change. More than 160 countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty to reduce global GHG, which the United States government has not signed, however, over 670 U.S. cities passed resolutions showing their support. Several northeastern states – including New York and Connecticut – joined forces to create the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity-generating sector. For years, there have been many legislative proposals introduced in Congress to address greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, Congress has yet to act.

CT, DE, ME, NH, NJ, NY, VT, and most recently MA and RI have committed to collectively reduce greenhouse gasses. MD is expected to join RGGI soon.

Congress Must Fight Global Warming Now!
Continued lack of action by congress is irresponsible. Federal leadership is necessary to create the policy-framework to assist individuals, businesses and local governments to significantly reduce our nation’s carbon footprint. Only the federal government can provide the nationwide policies needed for the economy and the environment to flourish. The 110th Congress must enact comprehensive climate change policy that will lead to significant reductions in GHG emissions. Congress can begin by adopting sensible policies that include:

1. Mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions. The scientific community recommends reducing global greenhouse gas pollution by 80%-85% below 1990 levels by 2050. National emission must be slashed by at least 80% by 2050 to avoid the most devastating effects of rising global temperatures.
2. Congress must apply a mandatory carbon reduction program. A mandatory cap and trade approach to reduce global warming gases is one way to achieve this goal.With any cap and trade program the best way to achieve the best results is to auction 100% of the carbon credits and not give away pollution credits to power companies at no cost. In addition, the national policy should complement and strengthen state initiatives, like RGGI.
3. Invest in, develop and purchase clean, emission-free renewable energy. Congress can bolster our nation’s energy independence from fossil fuels by investing in the use and development of renewable energy. The Production Tax Credit for Renewable Energy (PTC) provides incentives for developing renewable energy projects. Historically, Congress has sporadically renewed the tax credit for one or two years at a time, adding regulatory uncertainty for potential renewable energy developers. Congress should extend the Production Tax Credit for renewable energy for a decade. At the same time, Congress should divest public dollars from coal, oil and nuclear technologies. Congress should establish renewable energy purchasing requirements or standards for all federal buildings and agencies.
4. Develop a national adaptation plan. An adaptation plan anticipates climate change impacts and future infrastructure needs to protect public health, human welfare, and global biodiversity.

What You Can Do:
Write to Congress.

Letter writing tips:

1. Include your name and full address.
2. Make sure your letter is in your own words.
3. Tell your members of Congress to pass comprehensive legislation to reduce global warming gases.
4. Tell them you support:
• Mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions at least 80% by 2050 relative to 1990 levels;
• A nationwide cap and trade program that auctions 100% of the carbon credits, similar to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative;
• Investing in, developing and purchasing clean, emission-free renewable energy by extending the Production Tax Credit for a decade; and
• Developing a national adaptation plan to prepare for climate change impacts we can no longer avoid.
5. Ask for a response in writing.

Please send a copy of any response you receive to CCE’s Farmingdale Office—it helps us track progress on the issue. Thanks!

Not sure who your representative is?

To find out who your Representative is and write to them, please visit:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Individuals can take meaningful action to fight Global Warming too! Mr. Luna's Bright Idea aims to give every student in America a compact florescent light bulb (CFL). These light bulbs are 75% more efficient than incandescent light bulbs. This means less energy is needed and less harmful greenhouse gases are emitted!

Click here for pictures of Mr. Luna’s Bright Idea light bulb hand-out event

After writing Congress, answer the Climate Crisis call-to-action!

• Calculate your carbon footprint (www.carbonfootprint.com) and then work to reduce it.
• Be energy efficient! Use CFLs and LEDs in your home instead of incandescent light bulbs. Turn off the lights when you leave the room, use Energy Star appliances, and unplug appliances when not in use.
• Walk, bike or use mass-transit instead of driving and flying! Cars and airplanes are a major source of increasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas. If driving, practice fuel efficient driving (a.k.a.“hypermiling”) by driving the speed limit, properly inflate car tires, and reduce excess weight.
• Purchase renewable energy! Renewable energy is clean emission-free energy, such as wind and solar power.
• Learn more! Click here for CCE’s climate resource center.

Click here to visit CCE’s Aquatic Invasive Species Page to learn how various introduced organisms in the Great Lakes and Northeast estuaries are influenced by global climate change, and how to take action to stop these ecologically harmful invasions.

Click here to visit CCE’s Climate Change Resource Center to read National and International Climate Reports, watch YouTube videos, and learn about regional impacts.

Click here to view CCE's comments to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation on the NY Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Draft Rule (Part 242 – CO2 Budget Trading Program), December 21, 2007

Click here to view CCE's comments on New York's Draft Rule for implementing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, March 13, 2007

Click here to view a memo submitted by CCE to the United States Congress on Federal Energy Policy, January 16, 2007

Click here to read a press advisory released by Westchester County about the first meeting of the Westchester Global Warming Task Force comprised of government, business, education and environmental representatives, including CCE, January 4, 2007 (PDF format)

Click here to read CCE's comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Jamestown Coal Project, December 7, 2006 (PDF format)

Updated by kjacobs 6/30/08