Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, have grown exponentially since the dawn of the industrial revolution. These emissions accumulate in the atmosphere and trap heat from the sun that would normally be reflected back into space. Industrialization over the past 100 years has led to an increase of about 1o C in global temperatures. Recently, however, emissions have increased dramatically due to growth in global energy consumption from transportation, development, and agriculture sources. Climate scientists are concerned that continued pollution of the atmosphere will set off a chain reaction where polar ice melts, further reducing the reflectivity of solar warmth, increasing sea temperatures, and raising sea levels. At the current pace global temperatures are expected to increase 1.5o C by mid-Century and 2.0 degrees Centigrade by the end of the century. An increase of 1.5 degrees C would lead to dramatic climate change, including a sea level rise 4 feet or more and dramatic weather patterns in the form of heat waves, forest fires, coastal flooding, reduced snow pack, droughts, and crop failure. Global warming from an increase of 2o C (3.6o F) would wreak havoc on agriculture, industry, and living conditions, and make much of the earth unbearable or totally uninhabitable.
Two recent (2018) authoritative reports document the extent and urgency of the problem. The United Nation’s Fifth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that dramatic changes in energy use and carbon release into the atmosphere are needed to avoid an increase in global temperatures greater than 2 degrees C before the end of the century. The document warns that substantial changes must be initiated in the next 10 to 12 years to mitigate the worst effects of global warming.
The 4th National Climate Assessment, a U.S. interagency report, is remarkably consistent with the U.N. report, emphasizing the role of human activity as the cause of global warming and the need for concerted and immediate reductions in GHG emissions. The report notes that the choices made today determine the magnitude of climate change in future decades. https://science2017.globalchange.gov/
Without concerted action leading to dramatic changes in energy consumption and emissions our progeny could inherit from us an inhospitable planet. Possibly, humans will react in time to stem the tide of global climate change.
However, there are only two proven ways to reduce GHG emissions: (1) reduce energy use (e.g., improving energy efficiency); and (2) switch to clean, preferably renewable, sources of electricity. (Technological approaches to climate mitigation in the form of geo engineering or solar radiation management are unproven and have dramatic potential side effects that could make matters worse rather than better.) It will take a full commitment and substantial resource re-allocation for modern society to meet the challenge of global warming. Sadly, the current administration denies climate change and has adopted policies that support increased rather than reduced carbon-based fuel use and has reversed decades of progress on efforts to mitigate climate change. The U.S. is now one of the few countries in the world that is not a participating member of the Paris Climate Agreement! Some Democratic members of Congress are promoting the concept of a “Green New Deal“ that would marshal U.S. resources toward saving our planet, transitioning from carbon-based energy to clean (e.g., solar, wind) energy sources, and supporting environmentally sound development (but might not include a carbon fee).
Climate change is local as well as a global and national concern. Montgomery County emits some 11 million metric tons of GHG annually, about 10 metric tons of GHG per resident. The primary sources of emissions are commercial and residential buildings (50%) and transportation (41%), with solid waste, refrigerants, agriculture, and other sources contributing the rest. Clearly, we need to change the ways we travel, live, and do business.
The Montgomery County Council in 2017 adopted the Emergency Climate Mobilization resolution calling for a reduction in carbon emissions of 80% by 2017 and 100% by 2035.
Among other actions we endorse the following:
If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, or you just want to learn more about working with Sierra Club, please contact Shruti Bhatnagar at shruti.bhatnagar@mdsierra.org.
Montgomery County Sierra Club Group's Comments on the County's Draft Climate Action Plan
