The Center For Climate Strategies

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Why Now

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Why Now

Urgency
Unabated, greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution is expected to increase global temperatures at faster rates and higher levels than any experienced by modern humans. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scientists warn that a multitude of consequences, already underway, involve progressively greater risks to people and the natural environment. Because of the persistent nature of GHGs (carbon dioxide lasts a century or more), these risks cannot be easily or quickly reversed. Many decisions that determine the future of our atmosphere will be made in the next few years—such as building and facility design approvals, land development decisions, transportation choices, and power plant approvals. The impact of these decisions could be pivotal in determining our climate future. Fortunately, GHG pollution trends can be slowed and reversed based on the successes of many states, cities and companies that have acted already.

Responsibility
The United States is the leading emitter of GHGs worldwide, and US states are among the largest emitters in comparison to other nations (30 of the top 75 world emitters). To correct the climate change problem, strong new actions are needed at home and must include all economic sectors, levels of government, and jurisdictions. Political leadership, as always, is crucial to collective action at this scale. By reducing emissions from their most significant point of origin and encouraging action on a broad scale, actions by the U.S. and its states can significantly reduce global GHG emissions and lead other nations to the same commitments. President Obama endorses GHG emissions reduction targets of 1990 levels by 2020, the same level on average that Governors have established through state climate action plans.

Opportunity
The good news from the states, cities, companies, and countries that have taken action is that smart policy choices not only cut pollution but can also save cash, create jobs and create a new energy future for our nation. The results of actions taken by leadership states demonstrate the potential for significant net economic savings from new actions to improve energy efficiency and conservation. New investments in clean and renewable energy can create more jobs, income, and local investment than conventional approaches. And actions to protect and conserve resources and create advanced technologies and industrial practices can provide significant co-benefits for the nation’s environment, energy future, and economy. Many state and national leaders view climate policies as an increasingly desirable method for engineering economic development.

Today’s Leaders
Across the United States, many state, local, and national leaders have accepted the challenge and are making great strides in addressing our nation’s climate and energy needs. For examples, see "Ahead of the Curve: States Lead on Climate Change," a 14-minute video that features four governors, two mayors, and other state and local officials.

Whitman & Peterson: Climate Bill Should Top the Congress’ To-Do List
As Congress approaches the August recess, our economy, energy and environmental security needs still top the to-do list of the president and Congress. This summer the Center for Climate Strategies and the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition have outlined how Congress can put a national strategy in place that gets all three on the same page: by passing comprehensive national climate change and energy policy that reflects our best policy options for immediate action.

New Climate and Energy Policies Could Create 2.5 Million Jobs, Hold Down Energy Costs
July 22, 2010 -- New greenhouse gas emissions and energy policies at the Federal level could generate as many as 2.5 million new jobs and $134 billion in economic activity in the U.S. while keeping energy costs down, according to a new report from the Center for Climate Strategies, published with Johns Hopkins University.

Colorado legislature raises state RES, move seen creating jobs
A coalition of stakeholders who worked on the Colorado Climate Panel's were critical to the new legislation’s passage. Since investor-owned utilities supply 60% of Colorado’s electricity, this implements most of the Panel recommendation (adopted by the Governor) on renewable energy standards (RES).

Analysis Says Energy Bill would Boost GDP, Jobs
The Clean Energy Jobs Act, recently introduced in the Wisconsin legislature, can create jobs and improve the state's economy according to a recent Center for Climate Strategies study.
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