Global Warming News

As the new home of NJPIRG's environmental work, Environment New Jersey can be contacted regarding this news release. 

Global warming is one of the most profound environmental problems facing our planet. Our use of fossil fuels, like coal and natural gas for electricity, gas for cars and trucks, and oil for heat, is the primary reason for global climate change. Nationally, the United States produces one-fourth of the world’s carbon dioxide pollution.

Today’s proposal is an important first step. At last New Jersey is recognizing that carbon dioxide is a pollutant that must be
controlled and regulated.

Obviously, today’s announcement alone won’t solve the problem. To reduce the impacts of global warming pollution, we need to set limits on carbon dioxide from power plants. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has taken a leading role in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an effort among Northeast States to create a cap-and-trade program for carbon dioxide. NJPIRG urges New Jersey and other states to set stringent limits to reduce global warming pollution, particularly from coal-fired power plants. New Jersey also must quickly implement the Clean Cars Program, we must increase energy efficiency for appliances and buildings, and we must increase the clean energy standards for power companies to make sure that by 2020, 20% of our energy comes from clean renewable sources.

Unfortunately, right now there’s a lack of leadership at the national level to fight global warming pollution. In fact, the Energy Bill in Congress will lead to a dramatic increase in coal, oil, and natural gas power plants and do nothing to reduce carbon dioxide from cars and trucks. Therefore, in the absence of a national plan, it’s up to states like New Jersey to lead the way and take action.

To find out more about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: www.rggi.org.

See also the state PIRGs' report A Responsible Energy Future, a report that analyzes the consumer benefits of energy policies that reduce global warming pollution.