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Some days, it’s tough to be an optimist about confronting global warming in Rhode Island and across America.
As I write this newsletter, I am getting word of yet another scientific report detailing
the impacts of global warming. This one is from the German government’s official Council on Climate Change. The translated title of the report is, “The Future Oceans—Warming Up, Rising High, Turning Sour.”
A few weeks ago, the local ABC station, ABC 6 in Providence (WLNE), ran a two-day series on global warming. The report on the first day featured a map of the worse-case global warming scenario in Rhode Island. The map showed that Fields Point, Quonset Point, Narragansett, Newport and Bristol would be devastated, and according to ABC 6 reporter Julie Ruditzky, it would be “Bye Bye Barrington.”
So why be optimistic? I have three reasons. First, we have the technology right now to make a huge dent in global warming pollution. Second, state and local governments are starting to take serious action to reduce global warming pollution, which I believe is a precursor to meaningful federal action. Third, polls show an overwhelming majority of citizens believe global warming is happening and action must be taken to stop it.
Rhode Island is a perfect example of why there should be optimism about confronting
global warming. By adopting three state-wide policies that promote existing clean technology for cars, appliances and renewable energy, modeling predicts that Rhode Island will essentially cap our global warming emission at current levels for the next fifteen years.
The next step, of course, is to begin reducing our emissions. To do that, Environment Rhode Island will be looking to the governor and the Legislature to implement a global warming pollution cap for power plants, and to members like you for your help in continuing to spread the word on global warming and hold our elected officials accountable. Together we can make a difference, even on a problem as profound as global warming.
Matt Auten
Advocate
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