New report by Environment Michigan Research &
Policy Center
concludes
Ann Arbor, MI—Global warming pollution
in Michigan increased by 4% between 1990 and
2004, according to The Carbon Boom, a
new analysis of state fossil fuel consumption data released today by Environment Michigan Research &
Policy Center. This is the first time that 2004 state-by-state
data on carbon dioxide emissions have been released. Despite Michigan’s
lagging economy and clear loss of the industrial sector, Michigan is still seeing increases in global
warming pollution.
“Given
the risks from global warming, it’s incredibly irresponsible for Michigan’s global
warming pollution to increase. It’s like
the doctor telling you that you need to go on a serious diet, but instead you
go straight for the McDonalds,” said Environment Michigan’s field director,
Abby Rubley.
Environment
Michigan’s
report comes less than a week after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, a U.N. body charged with assessing the scientific record on global
warming, released its consensus report on the current and projected impacts of
global warming. The report warned of increasing droughts, floods,
heat waves, water stress, forest fires, and coastal flooding in the United
States but
concluded that “many impacts can be avoided, reduced, or delayed” by
quickly and significantly reducing global warming pollution.
“Global
warming pollution is increasing, while the economy is declining just as
scientists are sounding alarms that we must rapidly reduce pollution to protect
future generations. This report is a
wake-up call to cap pollution levels now before it is too late,” said Rubley.
Using
data compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy, Environment Michigan
Research & Policy Center’s new report examines trends in
carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption between 1990 and 2004,
the most recent year for which state-by-state data are available.
Major
findings of the report include:
- Michigan’s carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel
consumption grew from 179.1 million metric tons to 185.8 million metric
tons between 1990 and 2004, an increase of 4%. Michigan
ranked 10th nationwide for the most carbon dioxide emissions in 2004.
- Nationwide, emissions of
carbon dioxide from fossil fuel consumption increased by 18% between 1990
and 2004. Coal-fired power plants
and the transportation sector—especially cars and SUVs—drove this
emissions increase.
- In Michigan, carbon dioxide emissions from
natural gas-fired power plants increased by 109% between 1990 and 2004,
rising from 3.6 million metric tons to 7.6 million metric tons. Michigan
ranked 10th nationwide for the largest absolute increase in carbon dioxide
emissions from natural gas-fired power plants over the 15 year period.
“The good
news is that we have the technology at our fingertips to cut global warming
pollution and forge a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Rubley.
The United States
could substantially reduce its global warming pollution by using existing
technologies to make power plants, businesses, homes, and cars more efficient
and increasing the use of clean, renewable energy sources, such as wind and
solar power.
The Safe
Climate Act (H.R. 1590), introduced by Representative Henry Waxman (CA) in the
House, and the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S. 309), introduced by
Senators Bernie Sanders (VT) and Barbara Boxer (CA) in the Senate, would limit
global warming pollution to levels that current science says are needed to
prevent the worst effects of global warming.
The bills would freeze U.S.
global warming emissions in 2010 and reduce emissions by about 15% by 2020 and by
80% by 2050.
“To
protect future generations, our leaders must take decisive action to cut global
warming pollution. Environment Michigan calls on
Congressman Dingell to co-sponsor the only bill that does what scientists say we
need to do—the Safe Climate Act,” concluded Rubley.
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Environment Michigan Research & Policy Center - a statewide, citizen-based, non-profit, non-partisan environmental
advocacy organization - is the new home of PIRGIM’s environmental work. www.environmentmichigan.org
