Global Warming In the News

 Region lags on warming goals

Despite some progress, environmental groups warn of big changes if states don't do more.

The Associated Press March 27, 2008

'FALLING BEHIND: NEW ENGLAND MUST ACT'

A new report makes several suggestions for reducing global warming pollution in New England:

• Adopting mandatory caps on global warming pollution from all sectors of the economy.

• Strengthening transit systems and clean energy policies, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a 10-state plan that caps emissions from electric power plants; the Clean Cars program, adopted by all the states except New Hampshire; renewable energy, and consumer-funded home and business heating efficiency programs. Nine states have passed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The measure passed the New Hampshire House last week and is now before the state Senate.

• Building a more sustainable transportation system that would reduce emissions by investing in rail plans.

• Encouraging downtown redevelopment in a pedestrian-friendly way.

• Reallocating the costsof driving, such as pay-as-you-drive insurance and the elimination of parking subsidies.

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Efforts to reduce global warming emissions: Environment New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. — New England is not on track to meet its targets for global warming pollution reductions – a commitment made back in 2001, according to a report issued by a coalition of environmental groups.

In fact, global warming emissions have increased in most sectors of the region's economy, from transportation, electricity generation and fossil fuel consumption, said the report released Wednesday, "Falling Behind: New England Must Act Now to Reduce Global Warming Pollution."

"In the next century, New England could see coastal flooding, displacement of critical animal and plant habitat, death of hardwood trees responsible for vibrant fall displays, loss of a reliable ski season, and damage from more severe storms," the report said. The good news for the region, however, is that global warming pollution fell slightly from 2004 to 2005, and several indicators suggest the trend continued in 2006, the report said. The leading reason for the decline was a reduction in emissions from oil consumption in the residential, commercial and transportation sectors. In 2005, oil prices increased and demand for home heating oil was down slightly due to a warmer winter.

SAY SO LONG TO SYRUP

If current warming trends continue, the region's average year-round temperatures would rise between 6 and 10 degrees over the next 100 years, making Boston's climate feel more like that of Richmond, Va., or Atlanta, said Barry Rock, a climate scientist with the University of New Hampshire.

"Nothing against Richmond or Atlanta, but they don't have sugar maple trees," Rock said.

In addition to killing off the trees that the maple syrup industry depends on, rising temperatures would also threaten the region's outdoor winter sports, colorful fall foliage and timber industry, Rock said.

Of all the states in the region, New Hampshire had the greatest increase in emissions between 2001 and 2005 – the period studied since the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers signed a climate change action plan.

Instead, emissions rose by 26 percent, mainly because of an increase in electricity generation, the study said. Two of the state's three largest power plants have come on line since 2001. Early indicators are that New Hampshire's emissions dropped in both 2006 and 2007, largely because of warmer winters and rising fuel costs, which prompted people to conserve, the report's authors said.

The study found that global warming emissions in Maine have increased by 500,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from 2001 to 2005, according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine and Environment Maine.

BUILDINGS AND CARS

"If Maine is serious about meeting our commitments and cutting global warming pollution, we need to take action now, beginning with the adoption of required energy efficiency standards for new buildings," said Dylan Voorhees of the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

Environment Maine's Matthew Davis said that the report also points to a need to further reduce transportation emissions.

Rhode Island was the only state to show a drop in emissions, falling by 7 percent between 2001 and 2005, the report said. The bulk of the drop was due to reductions in power production and emissions decreases in transportation.

The region may not have met its goals, but New England has made some progress in adopting policies to reduce global warming pollution, according to the report.

"We seem to be turning the ship around, but we have to turn the wheel harder," said Erika Staaf of Environment New Hampshire. "We cannot afford to watch emissions respond to some policies and high energy prices while we leave many policies and sectors unaddressed."