Global Warming In the News

Global warming pollution has been rising in Michigan, according to a new report, and one environmental group is calling on a local Congressman to do something about it.

Pollution from Michigan's carbon dioxide emissions increased by 4 percent from 1990-2004, despite a lagging economy, according to ''The Carbon Boom,'' an analysis of state fossil fuel consumption data from Environment Michigan, a statewide nonprofit in Ann Arbor.

The group is calling on

U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak to co-sponsor the Safe Climate Act, ''the only bill that does what scientists say we need to do,'' said Abby Rubley, Environment Michigan's field director.

Stupak, D-Menominee, said he hopes to have a hand in cutting emissions that contribute to global warming. But he's not ready to pick a bill just yet.

''I strongly support efforts to curb carbon emissions and tackle the problem of climate change,'' Stupak said in a statement.

''Any legislation on this issue must be careful to appropriately address the problem, while ensuring that we are not creating excessive burdens for our economy.''

Environment Michigan is pushing for adoption of the Safe Climate Act, introduced in the U.S. House by California Democrat Henry Waxman. There are more than 130 co-sponsors; the only Michigan Congressman to sign on is Detroit Democrat John Conyers.

The bill, like the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act in the U.S. Senate, would freeze U.S. global warming emissions in 2010 and reduce emissions by about 15 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050 - levels that current science says are needed to prevent the worst effects of global warming, Rubley said.

Stupak said cutting emissions must be done ''only through careful deliberation and debate.''

''As a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I look forward to reviewing and debating a wide range of legislative proposals that will reduce carbon emissions while preserving jobs,'' he said.

The report, compiled from U.S. Department of Energy records, is the first time that 2004 state-by-state data on carbon dioxide emissions has been released, Rubley said.

Among the findings: