Gov. Ritter announces plan to fight global warming 

Environment Colorado applauds governor’s plan

On Nov. 6, Gov. Bill Ritter announced Colorado’s “Climate Action Plan,” which sets out goals and strategies that would reduce global warming pollution statewide. The announcement came after months of advocacy by Environment Colorado and our allies in the Colorado conservation community.

The governor’s plan calls for Colorado to reduce its overall global warming pollution emissions 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. If met, the long-term target would meet the standards that scientists say are necessary to prevent the worst effects of global warming.

“Climate change is our generation’s greatest environmental challenge,” Gov. Ritter said. “Unless we address it and adapt to it, the results will be catastrophic for generations to come.”

 

Our “Blueprint for Action”

Shortly after the governor’s announcement, Environment Colorado released a new report, “A Blueprint for Action: Meeting Colorado’s Goals for Reducing Global Warming Pollution,” which describes 16 policies that will help us meet the goal of a 20 percent reduction by 2020.

“In November, Gov. Ritter set a challenge for Colorado, asking that we all do our part to address global warming. Our Blueprint for Action shows how every sector of Colorado’s economy can help us meet that challenge,” said Keith Hay, energy advocate for Environment Colorado.

Electricity generation is responsible for 47 percent of Colorado’s global warming emissions. Making our energy cleaner could cut enough global warming pollution to meet one-third of the goal set out in the governor’s climate action plan.

“Gov. Ritter continues to demonstrate strong leadership by setting sound goals for carbon reduction,” said Craig Cox of the Interwest Energy Alliance. “Renewable energy, especially wind and utility-scale solar power, will play an important role in cutting Colorado’s global warming pollution and building the renewable energy economy.”