Impacts May Be Greater than Report Suggests
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, NRCM Clean Energy Project Director
“The IPCC report makes it plain that there is no debate anymore. The international scientific community is clear about what we need to do to avoid the worst consequences of global warming: stabilize worldwide emissions of the pollutants that cause global warming by the end of the decade and reduce them by more than half by mid-century.
“The report documents the changes that have occurred so far and projects what is expected in the future, such as extreme weather, including floods, droughts, heat waves, and hurricanes – all of which have major implications for the U.S. and Maine.
“The findings of the report do not include studies released since 2005, many of them showing that sea-level rise is expected to far exceed the conclusions of previous studies, largely due to faster glacial melting.
“If sea-level rise continues as currently projected, then many treasured coastal Maine communities will be hit hard, harming Maine people, businesses and natural resources. NASA’s top climate scientist, Dr. James Hansen, told a federal judge last summer, ‘It is my opinion that 3 – 6°F global warming would likely cause a sea level rise of at least 20 feet within a century.’ That would fall in the low to mid-range of this latest IPCC temperature projection.
“The most dangerous impacts of sea-level rise can still be avoided, but widespread action is needed now. According to scientists, we have a shrinking window of opportunity to change our course—measured in years not decades.
“In the absence of federal leadership, the Natural Resources Council of Maine is working with Maine DEP and the state legislature on a regional effort to address global warming pollution from nine northeastern states. This initiative – known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (or RGGI) – would significantly reduce global warming pollution from power plants from Maine to Maryland. This week the governor of Rhode Island announced his state would join RGGI, bringing all New England states into the program.
“RGGI is a good first step for our region, but we also need national solutions that unleash America’s technological ingenuity and business savvy, and reward investments in clean energy. It’s time for leadership, not empty promises.
“It’s time for America to lead on global warming, to own our energy future, and protect our economy and environment.”
“The Natural Resources Council of Maine applauds Senator Snowe for reintroducing the Global Warming Reduction Act on the eve of the IPCC report. “The Global Warming Reduction Act sets strong emissions targets that would greatly reduce global warming pollution while strengthening our economy and national security. “Senator Snowe continues to demonstrate her commitment to fighting global warming.”>/p>
