Opinion article written by Brian Hill (President and CEO, PEC) and Nancy Cole (Director of Climate Outreach, Union of Concerned Scientists); published by the Pocono Record.
December 15, 2007
The debate is over — science has spoken. Our planet is warming up and human activity is a major reason.
Concerns about the potential impacts on Pennsylvania were reinforced in a July 2007 report by the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment, a two-year collaboration between the Union of Concerned Scientists and a team of more than 50 scientists.
If global warming emissions continue unabated, by late this century summers in the Poconos could resemble the hot and muggy summers today in Savannah, Ga., the report said.
Our falls will likely change, too. If emissions continue on the current trajectory, by century's end the Poconos will no longer provide suitable habitat for the colorful maple, beech and birch trees that have made the area a favorite tourist destination.
Anglers may also begin to notice changes in their preferred catch. Rising summer temperatures, changes in peak and low stream flow, and reduced winter ice and snow cover can harm native brook trout.
The report also puts a spotlight on winter recreation and tourism. If emissions are not reduced, the Poconos, typically snow-covered half of the time in winter, would see a roughly 50 percent shorter snow season by mid-century. Camelback and other ski resorts in this part of the state are projected to be at risk of losing their ski seasons over the next several decades.
Globally, the risks are even more dramatic. Tens of millions of people may be refugees from rising ocean levels on the coasts where they live and work. Millions more may be displaced by severe droughts and dramatic declines in food production in places like drought-prone areas of Africa and Asia
These and other impacts can be reduced if we take decisive action to address climate change caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the planet.
Individuals can take important steps like driving less, turning down the thermostat and planting trees, which absorb carbon through the magic of photosynthesis.
The state General Assembly is considering legislation to require electric utilities to meet growing demand by conservation, not new power plants, and create an $850 million fund to support renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation. In Washington, Congress has taken up legislation to increase fuel-efficiency standards
These efforts are worthy, but we also need a climate-change plan with goals in every sector.
Such a plan was offered in the Climate Change Roadmap for Pennsylvania, in which the Pennsylvania Environmental Council made 38 specific recommendations that look at the challenges and the opportunities.
Our state emits more carbon than all but 22 nations, more than 105 developing nations combined. As a big part of the problem, we need to be a big part of the solution.
The state House and Senate have passed bipartisan legislation requiring the state to develop a plan to address global warming. This plan could draw extensively on the Roadmap, which was developed with input from utilities, industry, farmers and other stakeholders.
Our U.S. Senators, Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, both support climate-change legislation. A bill introduced by Specter and a separate one cosponsored by Casey set up a "cap and trade" program in which carbon emissions would be limited and anyone who captures more carbon could sell credits, making money by making progress.
But the Union of Concerned Scientists and many other scientists maintain that, unless we reduce carbon levels by 80 percent by 2050, global warming could pose severe risks to natural systems and human health and well-being. Senator Specter's bill does not meet this goal, while the legislation cosponsored by Senator Casey does.
Climate change holds tremendous risks along with significant economic opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs who develop carbon-saving technologies or capture carbon in our forests, farms and geology. We need to seize these opportunities as we address this most pressing issue of our day.