As evidence mounts that global warming is underway and as scientists warn of severe environmental and economic damage ahead, there can be little doubt that strong preventative action is necessary. There can also be little doubt that, up to now, the American response to the threat of climate change has been woefully inadequate. But recently the New England states have taken promising initial steps towards tackling the problem in a serious, coordinated, meaningful manner. NESEA—and indeed all the people of the region--now have a important stake in ensuring that these first steps lead to ever more effective action.
New England and Eastern Canada Get Serious
Each year, the governors of the six New England states meet with the premiers of the five eastern Canadian provinces to discuss topics of mutual interest and to plan joint activities. At the August 2001 meeting, these leaders signed a groundbreaking agreement to begin reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the region. Although these leaders represented two countries, several political parties, and constituencies as different as Maine, Quebec, Rhode Island, and Newfoundland, they were able to agree on the necessity to do something about global warming and on the desirability of addressing the problem in a cooperative, collective way.
The ambitious Climate Change Action Plan that they signed notes that "Improving climate science indicates that aggressive action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions…." The plan commits the region to important broad goals: reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, and to much lower levels after that. The 2010 goal is especially important since it will require a __ reduction from business-as-usual projections. As the governors and premiers noted, meeting this goal will demonstrate the region’s commitment to deeds rather than just words.
Because the main greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, is generated primarily by the burning of fossil fuels, the region will need to implement aggressive steps to increase energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, manufacturing, and electricity generation. The various states and provinces will also need to expand dramatically the use of renewable energy. When the governors and premiers got back together in August 2002, they discussed some of the initial action steps they should take, including switching to efficient LED traffic lights, purchasing efficient office equipment, and choosing clean, efficient vehicles for state and provincial fleets.
The Impact of a Region
Of course, no single region can alone solve a global problem like climate change, but a regional effort can have important practical and symbolic importance. It can yield modest but still meaningful reductions in total greenhouse gas emissions, it can test policies and action strategies to determine which reduce emissions most successfully, and it can serve as an example for the rest of the country.
The governors and premiers clearly wanted their 2001 agreement to influence people and political leaders in other parts of North America. They recognized that "emissions of greenhouse gases are a global problem that ultimately require a global solution," but they argued that the "New England states and Eastern Canadian provinces are well positioned to play a leadership role in addressing the issue of climate change." As New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen said at the time, "This agreement sends a powerful message to the rest of the nation about the importance of working cooperatively to cut pollution and clean up the air."
Turning Promises into Reality
All this sounds—and is—quite hopeful and promising, but it remains unclear whether the states will follow through on their commitments. For one thing, the various states and provinces all face tight budgets and need to cut expenses. Even though energy efficiency measures offer significant savings in the long run, they often require up-front expenditures. It will be tempting for policymakers to delay climate change action.
In addition, the cast of characters has changed dramatically. As a result of the November 5th election, most of the New England governors are new. It is too soon to know what they will do about climate change. Will they honor their predecessors’ agreement enthusiastically or half-heartedly?
There is an even more important reason why the prospects for meaningful action remain uncertain. Meeting the 2010 target will require cooperation and action on the part of businesses, private institutions, and citizens, as well as state governments. Moreover, governments will be unlikely to remain focused on the global warming problem if they don’t feel that there is vocal, strong support from their constituents for doing so.
For all these reasons, over 100 organizations, including NESEA, have begun talking about how they can individually and collectively support the governors and premiers’ important initial steps and show that key constituencies are willing to help our society to tackle global warming. On the political advocacy side, Clean Water Action, the PIRGs, and a few others are taking the lead. But showing support for climate change action in other ways will be groups as diverse as the American Lung Association, the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, Episcopal Power and Light, and the Harvard Medical School’s Center for Health and the Global Environment.
Marc Breslow, a leader of one of the groups, the Massachusetts Climate Action Network, expressed well what needs to happen next at the government policy level: "Goals and targets are important. However, they mean little without concrete strategies for achieving them. Our leaders need to be quite specific about what governments will do to reduce emissions."
A Role for NESEA
NESEA and NESEA members have much to contribute to any New England regional effort to address climate change. Many of our members have been working for years, and even decades, to implement the sorts of energy solutions that reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
We can provide useful advice to government agencies and interested citizens groups about ways to make buildings more efficient and to implement clean energy technologies. We also have much to contribute in the transportation sector, since the state action plans have so far offered few specifics on how the states can significantly reduce emissions from cars and other vehicles. Our business members can show that there are local businesses that will benefit if the states indeed follow through on promoting green buildings, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.
Our public education efforts can be equally valuable. By talking to community groups and working to influence local media coverage, we can help people understand the energy, buildings, and transportation solutions that we are working for. We can also let the media and the public know that there are knowledgable, practical businesses and individuals across the region who are committed to implementing these solutions—ones that will not only slow global warming but have many other environmental and economic benefits.
In the coming months, NESEA will be figuring out how we can best participate in region-wide efforts to fight global warming while promoting green buildings, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. I will keep you posted on what we can do together as an organization, but I am sure that many of you will find your own opportunities to influence policymakers, the media, and the public.
This article was written by Warren Leon, NESEA’s executive director.
NESEA Network