Fighting Global Warming
Last year we suffered through the worst heat, drought and wildfires in Texas history. And according to the Texas state climatologist, it’s all linked in part to global warming. We need President Obama to adopt standards to cut global warming pollution from cars, trucks and power plants.
The consequences: severe drought, increased wildfires and more
Global warming is the one of the most profound threats of our time — and we’re already starting to feel the effects.
Last year, Texas suffered from the worst heat, drought and wildfires in history.
Extreme weather could become “the new normal” as global warming wreaks havoc on our climate. Read our report, Global Warming and Extreme Weather, to learn more.
These dangers are cause for immediate action. But political posturing, partisan gridlock and the influence of powerful polluters has paralyzed Congress from taking action.
Global Warming Solutions
Texas is ranked first in the nation for emissions of the pollution which causes global warming. If Texas were a nation, we’d be ranked 7th in the world. However, thanks in large part to the growth of wind power in Texas, global warming pollution dropped 7.9% between 2000 and 2009. And we have the potential to go even further. In 2011, we unveiled a study showing that states can cut global warming pollution 20% by 2020 through clean energy and transportation policies.
Read our report, The Way Forward on Global Warming, to learn more.
Cleaning up Cars and Power Plants
In November, the Obama administration officially proposed new clean car standards that represent the biggest step the U.S. has ever taken to get off oil and tackle global warming. The standards would require cars and light trucks in model years 2017-2025 to meet a fleet-wide average fuel efficiency and global warming pollution standards equivalent to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.
By 2030 the proposed standards would reduce annual global warming pollution by 280 million metric tons, roughly equivalent to shutting down 70 coal fired power plants for one year.
In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering adopting new standards to cut pollution from power plants.
Thank EPA Administrator Jackson for proposing carbon pollution standards
Key Facts
- According to Texas State Climatologist Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, “the impacts of the drought were enhanced by global warming, much of which has been caused by man”.
- The summer of 2011 in Texas was the hottest in U.S. history. More than 100 people in Texas died due to heat-related causes.
- Last year’s wildfires were the worst in Texas history, destroying more than 1600 homes and nearly wiping out the Lost Pines of Bastrop State Park. According to scientists, just a degree of extra warming is enough to cause a 350% increase in acres burned.
- By adopting clean energy policies at the local, state and federal levels, the United States could curb emissions of carbon dioxide from energy use by as much as 20% by 2020 and 34% by 2030.