“New Jersey’s commitment to tackling global warming can have a big impact. Gov. Corzine can show other states—and the nation—that solving global warming is more than possible.”
Suzanne Leta Liou
Global Warming & Clean Air Advocate
|
As New Jersey’s global warming pollution continues to rise steeply, Environment New Jersey released a report outlining concrete steps to curb global warming pollution, “A Blueprint for Action: Policy Options to Reduce New Jersey’s Contribution to Global Warming.”
The report, released on Sept. 21, shows that by adopting 11 policy strategies, in addition to four steps the state has already taken, New Jersey can cut its emissions of carbon dioxide—the leading greenhouse gas—by 7.4 percent below 2005 levels in the next two decades.
The report, peer reviewed by many of New Jersey’s leading global warming scientists and policy experts, is part of Environment New Jersey’s campaign calling on Gov. Corzine to pledge to reduce New Jersey’s global warming emissions by 70 percent below current levels by 2050.
“New Jersey’s commitment to tackling global warming can have a big impact. Gov. Corzine can show other states—and the nation—that solving global warming is more than possible,” said Suzanne Leta Liou, global warming and clean energy advocate for Environment New Jersey.
“A Blueprint for Action” shows that global warming is real, is happening now, and poses a serious threat to New Jersey’s future.
Global average temperatures have increased by one degree Fahrenheit in the 20th century and are now increasing at a rate of 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. If the world continues on its present course, global temperatures could increase by 2.5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit over 1990 levels by 2100, causing a sea level rise in New Jersey of anywhere from two to four feet.
Coastline being threatened
Predicted sea level rise would likely cause submersion or chronic flooding over all of the state’s prized beaches and parts of Atlantic City, the Meadowlands, Cape May, the Delaware Bay Shore and Long Beach Island.
Higher temperatures could also lead to more days of extreme heat and the formation of ozone smog throughout the state during the summertime, exacerbating heat stress among the elderly and children with asthma and other health problems.
New Jersey is a significant contributor to global warming. In 2002, the last year for which complete data is available, the use of energy in New Jersey was responsible for the release of approximately 122 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas.
If New Jersey were its own country, it would have ranked 32nd in the world for emissions during 2002, ahead of nations such as Argentina, Greece and Israel.
New Jersey’s global warming emissions are on the rise. Between 1990 and 2002, New Jersey’s carbon dioxide emissions from energy use increased by 8 percent. Transportation produced the largest share of carbon dioxide (52 percent), followed by electricity generation (16 percent), direct use of fossil fuels in homes (13 percent), industry (11 percent) and businesses (8 percent). New Jersey also produced emissions from consumption of electricity in other states.
Global warming solutions
Over the past several years, New Jersey has adopted several policies that will help curb the state’s global warming emissions. Unfortunately these actions—if fully implemented—will not reduce New Jersey’s emissions below current levels. In fact, they will only hold the growth of New Jersey’s carbon dioxide emissions to 10 percent between 2002 and 2025, in comparison to the 26 percent growth that would be expected with no policy action.
The 11 strategies outlined in “A Blueprint for Action” are among the many options available to New Jersey to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from energy use far beyond the state’s current programs.
The strategies, which focus on reducing emissions from transportation, electricity and home heating, include increasing fuel efficiency and mass transit, reducing daily commutes through pay-as-you-drive auto insurance and employer ride reduction programs, strengthening building energy codes for homes and businesses, adopting stronger energy efficiency standards for appliances and increasing funding for the state’s energy efficiency programs.
These strategies, in addition to the steps New Jersey has already taken, will reduce New Jersey’s carbon dioxide emissions by 7.4 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.
Gov. Corzine’s leadership needed
The report recommends that in addition to adopting the 11 strategies, New Jersey should commit to achieving global warming emissions reductions of 20 percent below current levels by 2020 and 70 percent by 2050.
The state should also adopt mandatory limits on our total global warming emissions. The Global Warming Response Act (A3301/S2114), which requires such a cap, has been introduced in the state Legislature by Asw. Linda Stender and state Sen. Barbara Buono.
“Gov. Corzine should start tackling global warming right away, putting New Jersey and the nation on a path toward a secure energy future. If we’re going to solve global warming and protect future generations, we have to start here and now,” said Suzanne Leta Liou. |
