Overview of the Problem
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 worse effects of global warming http://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/climate-change/.
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/
How to Reduce GHG Emissions
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 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).
Policy Approaches Washington County Sierra Club Supports
Among other actions we endorse the following:
1. Reduce Energy Use
a. The successful enactment of mandatory benchmarking of non-residential buildings, which requires building owners to report publicly on the energy efficiency of their buildings, so as to encourage energy conservation. We are exploring expansion of the benchmarking laws to cover multifamily buildings and possible ways to expand awareness of which buildings are most energy efficient for tenants.
b. The successful enactment of new ways of financing energy conservation (including a local Green Bank)
that would allow owners to preserve equity and save on utility costs from day one.
c. Tax incentives for building energy efficiency.
d. Stringent building codes to increase energy efficiency.
2. Expand Electrification of Energy
a. Electrification of public buses in the County.
b. Expand public area charging stations for electric vehicles (under consideration).
3. Expand Solar, a Clean Renewable Energy Source
a. Removal of legislative restrictions on community solar installations (a way of allowing people to “subscribe” for solar energy when they cannot install solar panels on their property, such as for people who live in
apartments or houses shaded by trees).
b. Mandate solar rooftop energy on commercial buildings and options for solar rooftop on residential
buildings.
What Can You Do?
1. Reduce your family’s energy use. Drive less often by combining errands, work from home, take public transit, bike, and walk. Own an electric or hybrid vehicle. In summer turn down the thermometer and in winter turn it up (even one degree matters), go solar, insulate, get a home energy audit, and preserve your trees.
2. Join the Washington County Sierra Club, which focuses on our county’s clean energy policies and programs. Volunteer to help the Sierra Club advocate for transforming the Maryland energy system to 100% clean energy. Volunteer activities include conducting research, writing letters to the editor, lobbying legislators, preparing testimony, commenting at public hearings, handing out literature at public events, working on political endorsements, organizing events, and more. Volunteering with Sierra Club is interesting, fun, and worthwhile. Plus, you can meet a lot of interesting people.
If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, or you just want to learn more about working with Sierra Club, please contact Michael Brandt at michael.brandt@mdsierra.org.