What's New
Gov. Ritter signed a measure to double Colorado’s commitment to clean
energy. This is an important first step in fighting global warming, but
we need to do more. Environment Colorado is working this summer to help
Colorado take two important steps:
Step
#1—Issue an executive order to set hard goals for cutting global
warming pollution, joining other Western states including Arizona and
New Mexico.
Step
#2—Champion measures that cut global warming pollution from new cars,
light trucks and SUVs by 30 percent. Colorado should join the 11 states
that have adopted Clean Cars standards.
Brief Summary
It’s now clearer than ever: We need to take action to fight global warming.
We
have solutions available: energy efficiency for homes and businesses,
solar power in the San Luis Valley, wind farms on the Eastern Plains,
bio-fuels from Colorado crops and agricultural waste, and cleaner cars
on our roads.
These
solutions not only cut the pollution that causes global warming, they
also reduce dependence on dirty, dangerous and expensive fossil fuels,
and create high-quality jobs.
With
fresh new leadership in the state, it is time for Gov. Ritter to set
bold goals for reducing global warming pollution and to help Colorado
take its rightful place leading the Rocky Mountain West towards real
solutions to global warming.
Scientists
and experts often talk about the impacts of global warming on a global
scale—rising oceans, melting icecaps and changing weather patterns.
Colorado is already seeing the effects.
Global warming’s effect on Colorado
Colorado’s
mountain snow pack currently acts like a massive natural reservoir that
slowly refills drinking and irrigation water supplies as it melts
during the hot summer months. Rising temperatures lead to less snow,
which threatens our thriving ski industry, and leaves less water for
Coloradans to drink and use in their fields.
Wildfires
are on the rise. In 2006, nearly 9 million acres burned nationwide.
Global warming is expected to create longer, more intense fire seasons
in the West.
We
have solutions to these problems. Colorado can address climate change
by setting hard goals for cutting global warming pollution and take the
first step by cutting pollution 30 percent from new cars, light trucks
and SUVs.
