Top Priority
Will the governor act on global warming?
Ball in Gov. Ritter’s court as things heat up
As a candidate for governor in 2006, Bill Ritter pledged to make Colorado a leader in the fight against global warming. Now, his administration is scrambling to develop a plan to address global warming by the fall. Environment Colorado took advantage of the state’s political momentum by rallying public support for bold, innovative plans to cut global warming pollution.
Throughout the summer, our citizen outreach staff talked face-to-face with tens of thousands of Coloradans about global warming. Members responded with thousands of phone calls, letters and e-mails, encouraging Gov. Ritter to support a strong plan of action on global warming.
“The coming months will be important ones, as our staff works to make sure that Gov. Ritter comes though on the environmental leadership he promised,” said Environment Colorado Executive Director Matt Baker.
Environment Colorado has encouraged the governor’s office to adopt a slate of new policy initiatives that we think will help us cut our global warming pollution 80 percent by 2050.
The slate includes a Clean Cars program, which would reduce pollution from cars, trucks and SUVs; stronger energy efficiency standards; and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions within the utility sector by 20 to 30 percent by 2020.
States lead the way
Across the nation states are stepping up to reduce their global warming pollution. New Jersey’s Gov. Jon Corzine signed a bill that will reduce the state’s global warming pollution 20 percent by 2020. California, Hawaii and Minnesota have also passed statewide caps on global warming pollution, and eight other states are considering similar legislation.
Stopping global warming is essential to preserving Colorado’s natural beauty, protecting our water supply, and maintaining Colorado’s farms and tourist industry.
“With so much to lose and even more to gain in taking action against global warming, it is time for Governor Ritter to be a leader in the fight,” said Baker.
Global warming is reducing snow packs and jeopardizing Colorado's water resources.