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Create a Clean Energy Future |
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Why? There is no greater threat to our environment than global warming. Roughly 33
acres of Cape Cod's shoreline wash away each year due to sea level rise, and the rate of loss will only accelerate as
arctic glaciers melt and the oceans rise. Unless we take decisive action to curb greenhouse gas emissions, by the end of this
century a summer in Massachusetts will be as hot and humid as current summers in South Carolina. Individual states such as
Massachusetts have a responsibility to act now to combat global warming and we have the potential to become leaders in key
industries, creating vast economic opportunities.
How? The issue of global climate change and energy security must
be addressed in this legislative session. Our ultimate goal is an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The
Mass Green Alliance supports energy policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the impact of climate change.
What's needed:
- Ambitious and comprehensive energy efficiency
programs
- A successful carbon dioxide cap and trade program
- Incentives
for investments in renewable energy sources
- Policies that promote energy efficient and
climate neutral predicts like clean car purchases and green building construction.
- Programs
to deal with the need for adaptation to changes already occurring due to climate change (e.g., loss of habitat and flooding)
Advantages
In addition to heading off permanent heat waves and protecting our coastline from flooding, creating a clean energy future
will allow for development of clean energy industries and creation of hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the state,
not to mention increased revenues from such industries. Furthermore, it is important to protect existing industries in New
England that are threatened by global warming such as skiing and maple syrup production.
Statues The Speaker's Energy Bill is currently in a Conference Committee and Senator Pacheco's Global Warming Solutions
Act has passed the Senate and is in House Ways and Means.
Contact
Nancy Goodman, Environmental League of Massachusetts, 617.742.2553
Back to 2007-2008 Priorities
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P.O. Box 103, Boston, MA 02133 617-742-8822
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