PORTLAND , ME—Global warming pollution in Maine jumped 77% between 1960 and 2001, according to The Carbon Boom,
a new analysis of government data released today by the Environment
Maine Research & Policy Center. Increased oil emissions and gas
emissions were responsible for 51% and 49% of this increase,
respectively.
“When
you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you should do is stop
digging. To protect future generations from the effects of global
warming, we need to stop this trend of increasing pollution,” said
Environment Maine Advocate Matthew Davis.
Existing
energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies could substantially
reduce global warming pollution, but the federal government has so far
rejected mandatory pollution limits.
Using
data compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National
Laboratory, Environment Maine Research & Policy Center’s new report
examines trends in carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel combustion
nationally and by state between 1960 and 2001, the most recent year for
which state-by-state data are available. Major findings of the report
include:
-
Maine emitted 12.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 1960; by
2001, the state’s emissions had grown to 22.4 million metric tons, an
increase of 77%.
-
In Maine, increased oil combustion – largely to fuel cars and light
trucks – accounted for 51% of the state’s increase in carbon dioxide
emissions from 1960 to 2001. Vehicle travel increased dramatically over
the period, while the fuel efficiency of U.S. vehicles stalled in the
late 1980s. The number of miles driven on Maine’s roads increased from
4.5 billion in 1960 to 14.4 billion in 2001, an increase of 140%.
Similarly, per person yearly vehicle miles traveled increased from
4,664 in 1960 to 11,210 in 2001, the fifteenth highest in the country.
-
Increased combustion of natural gas, particularly at power plants,
contributed 49% of the state’s growth in emissions from 1960 to 2001.
-
Nationwide, emissions of carbon dioxide nearly doubled between 1960 and
2001, jumping from 2.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide in 1960 to
almost 5.7 billion metric tons in 2001, an increase of 95 percent.
-
A dramatic growth in oil combustion in the transportation sector and
coal combustion for electricity generation fueled the rapid increase in
U.S. carbon dioxide emissions between 1960 and 2001. Increased coal and
oil combustion each accounted for 40% of the increase in carbon dioxide
emissions.
The early effects of global warming are evident in Maine and worldwide.
According to NASA, 2005 was the warmest year ever recorded. Left
unchecked, global warming threatens to:
- substantially raise sea levels in Maine, inundating our coast;
-
cause more frequent and extreme droughts in Maine, as warmer
temperatures evaporate moisture in the soil more quickly and shrink
winter snow-pack;
- thaw lakes earlier in the spring and make “safe” ice on lakes scarce.
The U.S. could substantially reduce its global warming pollution by
using existing technologies to make power plants and cars more
efficient and increase the use of clean, renewable energy sources, such
as wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass.
Gov.
Baldacci recently signed a bill, LD 2041, that would set a goal for
Maine to generate 10 percent more new renewable energy by 2017 and
prioritize expanding energy efficiency programs over expanding power
plants. There is more to be done here in Maine, specifically
implementing the regional program to cut power plant pollution, called
RGGI, and improving transportation alternatives and in-fill and
clustered development.
“Renewables
and efficiency are win, win solutions because they also would reduce
our dependence on oil, reduce air pollution, protect pristine places
from oil drilling and mining, and save consumers money,” Davis said.
Oil
companies – led by ExxonMobil – automakers, and most electric utilities
continue to fight common sense solutions to global warming, Davis
pointed out. For instance, ExxonMobil gave at least $15 million between
1998 and 2004 to groups working to confuse the public about the broad
scientific consensus on the causes of and solutions to global warming.
The serious nature and media coverage of global warming is even forcing
Congress to confront the issue. Maine ’s own Senator Susan Collins and
Senator Dick Durbin (IL) are circulating a Dear Colleague letter urging
President Bush to require mandatory reductions in global warming
pollution to address the issue. Also, Rep. Henry Waxman (CA) recently
introduced the Safe Climate Act (H.R. 5642), which provides a
long-term, science-based solution to global warming. The bill requires
the U.S. to reduce its global warming pollution by 15% from today’s
levels by 2020 and by 80% by 2050. To achieve these targets, the bill
calls for improved energy efficiency and a greater reliance on clean,
renewable energy sources, while providing companies flexibility in
meeting the pollution-reduction goals through a “cap-and-trade”
program.
“Our
leaders must take decisive action to stop the worst effects of global
warming. We call on Representatives Allen and Michaud to cosponsor the
Safe Climate Act,” concluded Davis. “We applaud Sen. Collins for urging
President Bush to support real reductions in global warming pollution,
and hope Sen. Snowe signs onto the letter.”
Coincidentally,
Al Gore’s documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth” is opening in Maine
today, with shows in Waterville at the Railroad Square Theater.
Representatives from the Alaska Coalition, Environment Maine, and
Sierra Club will hold a news conference at the theater at 4:30pm, prior
to the first show at 5pm. Next week, the documentary opens at the
Movies on Exchange in Portland on Wednesday, June 28 th. There will be
a news conference in front of the Movies at 4:45, and an expert panel
discussion after the 5pm showing from 6:30 to 8pm at O’Naturals on
Exchange Street.
Environment
Maine is a non-partisan, non-profit environmental organization whose
mission is to advocate for clean air, clean water and open spaces on
behalf of our 3,500 statewide members.
