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TALKING POINTS for the MD Global Warming Solutions Act: (or jump down to a Summary of the bill).

(please paraphrase):


Help lead Maryland to a new clean energy economcy

In the absence of action at the Federal level, Maryland is in a unique position to be a national leader in the fight against global warming. The steps we take will lead to broader regional, national and even international actions.

New jobs will be created. A study by Baltimore-based International Center for Sustainable Development (funded by the state Dept of Business and Economic Development) found that: Clean energy industries could generate between 144,000 to 325,000 jobs over the next 20 years, These jobs would contribute $5.7 billion in wages and salaries to MD citizens and would boost state and local tax revenues by $973 million.

Energy efficiency measures in California aimed at reducing green house gasses have resulted in a net savings of $2 billion since 1990 for DuPont Coprooration.

(Above from Chesapeake Climate Action Network:  March 2008)

(please paraphrase):


With over 3,100 miles of tidally influenced shoreline, Maryland is one of the most vulnerable states in our nation to the effects of climate disruption in the years ahead, including sea level rise, more frequent severe storms like Isabel, salt water intrusion into the water table and further damage to the Chesapeake Bay from warmer water temperatures. Here in Central Maryland, we will face more droughts and health-threatening heat waves (including many more days over 100 degrees). We can be smart and proactive, or we can wait for the inescapable effects of climate change to hit us and simply react to them.

We can protect our natural resources and our economy by passing the Global Warming Solutions Act and starting down a sensible and responsible path to reducing our state's greenhouse gas emissions now.   By so doing, we will stimulate Maryland's economy by increasing business, industrial and residential efficiencies, reducing our demand on electricity and thereby reducing our energy bills while increasing the reliability of our electrical grid. By investing the auction revenues from RGGI into energy efficiencies and renewable energy sources, Maryland will be poised to attract clean tech businesses to Maryland and create thousands of green collar jobs. We will have a competitive advantage over states that wait for the Federal government to act on climate change legislation, whose passage and implementation is still years away.

Please support the Global Warming Solutions bill. It makes sense for Maryland's economy, natural resources, and public health. We owe nothing less to our children and theirs.

Developing energy efficiency and clean energy (fewer greenhouse gas emissions) are investments we cannot afford not to make. Each of these will garner tremendous cost savings for Maryland taxpayers in the future.

Failing to make these investments would be fiscally irresponsible, saddling us with unnecessary energy expenses, direct and indirect, as we become more dependent on wasteful dirty energy.  Our increasingly antiquated energy economy would lose out to competitors from states that have prepared for the future.

(Above suggested by some individual volunteers)

The Talking Points below from Holly Gorman, CCAN (March 2008):



- Nearly 500 Maryland businesses have endorsed the Global Warming Solutions
Act. These are local businesses that see an economic benefit to taking early
action against global warming.

- A national cap on carbon is inevitable in the next few years. Any Maryland
company that starts innovating now to cut carbon will be ahead of the curve
when a nation-wide cap is implemented - and be at a competitive advantage
against companies in other states that continue to practice business as
usual.

- According to a study by the International Center for Sustainable
Development, a growing number of states are investing aggressively in the
Clean Energy industry. Maryland, however, is lagging in this sector, and is
missing out on huge economic development and job growth potentials that
other states are realizing. Legislation to cap carbon would further
incentivize investment in the clean energy sector.

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The Talking Points below, for the MD Global Warming Solutions Act, are reprinted from a letter delivered to Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith in March 2008 by the Baltimore County Climate Coalition:

A great deal of flexibility is included in the GWSA. It contains a provision to revisit the goals every four years and to modify them as circumstances require. For example, if we do not achieve the new technology that would enable us to get to 90% pollution reduction, then the goals will be adjusted.

In no way does the bill require each individual entity to reduce emissions by a specified amount. Rather, the goal is an overall reduction, with flexibility for individual entities depending on what is determined to be practical and feasible. Policies that affect particular economic sectors will continue to be shaped by stakeholders in an open, public process.

A study funded by Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development and carried out by the Baltimore-based International Center for Sustainable Development found that clean energy industries could generate between 144,000 and 326,000 jobs over the next 20 years, contributing $5.7 billion in wages and salaries to Maryland citizens and boosting state and local tax revenues by $973 million. A policy that encourages innovation is an opportunity for the creation of large numbers of well-paying new jobs in the green economy of the future. This point has been emphasized by both Democratic presidential candidates. Maryland businesses can become leaders in developing these new technologies.

In a recent interview published in Mckinsey Quarterly, national leaders in the steel industry said that "innovation will be important to make our steel making processes more energy efficient and environmentally sound and to improve our product capabilities.”

The below Talking Points, for the MD Global Warming Solutions Act, are from Ted Weber of the U.S. Climate Emergency Council, March 2008):

* Human activities like the burning of fossil fuels and the clearing
of forests have increased atmospheric CO2 and methane levels to their
highest levels in at least 650,000 years, and global temperatures the
highest in at least 1,300 years, with both of these levels accelerating.


* Scientific evidence suggests that an increase of more than 2 ºC
above pre-industrial levels, or 1.2 ºC above today's levels, is sufficient
to destroy most of the world's coral reefs, melt the Arctic floating ice and
many glaciers, and impact food production. Beyond this, the Greenland ice
sheet is likely to begin irreversible melting, resulting in a sea level rise
of 23 feet. To avoid reaching this level of global warming, atmospheric
greenhouse gas concentrations must be held at 450 ppm or less in CO2
equivalents. This level of greenhouse gases is fast approaching, which
means substantial immediate action is needed to reduce further emissions,
especially given the long residence time of CO2 in the atmosphere.


* We are already seeing the effects of global warming feedbacks, such
as the melting of permafrost adding methane to the atmosphere. As greenhouse
gas concentrations in the atmosphere increase, so do the odds of runaway
global warming to 8 ºC (14 ºF) or more, desertification of much of the
world, and the loss of 90% of the world's species. There is a 3% or greater
chance of triggering runaway global warming at 450 ppm, but at least a 24%
chance of this happening at 550 ppm.


* With 7,000 miles of shoreline, Maryland is the fourth most
vulnerable state in the country to the effects of global warming. Sea level
is expected to rise between 2 and 4 feet this century, submerging islands,
wetlands, and coastal communities.


* Some insurance providers have stopped issuing policies for coastal
Maryland for fear of more violent hurricanes associated with global warming.


* Maryland's greenhouse gas emissions in 2007 were over 115 million
metric tons of CO2 equivalent - more than many countries. Due to increases
in population, vehicle usage, and electricity consumption, Maryland's
greenhouse gas emissions are expected to continue to grow. Without any new
CO2 reducing programs, Maryland can expect to exceed 122 million metric tons
of CO2 equivalent by 2020.

* By following the recommendations of climate scientists and showing
leadership in the fight against climate change, Maryland can inspire other
states and the nearby federal government to take similar action.


* Many measures which reduce our impact on the climate bring
co-benefits of reducing other pollutants, encouraging conservation,
positioning Maryland to lead in the emerging "green economy", and saving
consumers money.





Maryland's Global Warming Solutions Act - What It Does:

• If passed, Maryland's Global Warming Solutions Act (HB 712/SB 309)
  will reduce the state's impact on the global climate, committing to
  science-based reductions of greenhouse gas emissions: 25% by 2020, and 90%
  by 2050.
• This legislation follows recommendations from the Maryland
  Commission on Climate Change, and is designed with the 2°C threshold in
  mind, mandating state reductions of greenhouse gas emissions 25% from 2006
  levels by 2020, and 90% by 2050, as well as recommending cuts of 10% by 2012
  and 15% by 2015. 
• The 2020 limit is achievable with current technology, while the
  2050 limit would require technological breakthroughs. These technological
  breakthroughs would likely have the co-benefit of spurring new economic
  growth in the 21st century, much as past technological breakthroughs like
  the steam engine achieved in the 19th century and the internet achieved in
  the late 20th century. 
• The Global Warming Solutions Act requires the Maryland Department
  of the Environment, in consultation with other state agencies, to identify
  and implement measures that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions according
  to the best available information. Cost effectiveness and co-benefits will
  be considered.
• A statewide cap and trade system for greenhouse gases would
  encourage companies to come up with innovative solutions. Allowances would
  be distributed via public auction.
• Revenue from auctioning greenhouse gas pollution credits would be
  used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (such as transit system
  improvements), reduce energy bills for low-income households, funding the
  Office of Climate Change, and providing grants for investments in clean
  energy and renewable technologies.
• The Office of Climate Change would coordinate efforts to reduce
  greenhouse gases, work with stakeholders and industry, coordinate with other
  states and the federal government, support research into effective practices
  and new technologies, encourage investment in renewable energy, promote
  energy efficiency and conservation, and promote employment opportunities in
  green business and clean energy industries in the state.
• The state would seek to coordinate with other states to establish a
  regional cap and trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Recently enacted legislation, including the Healthy Air Act, the
  Clean Cars Act and other bills, will achieve more than one-quarter of the
  reductions required by this bill. The rest would come from a statewide
  energy efficiency program, increased use of renewable energy and clean
  fuels, smart growth measures, green building codes, and the construction of
  small, efficient power plants to gradually replace massive, old-fashioned
  plants. Other reductions would come from carbon sequestration projects, such
  as planting forest buffers along tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay,
  innovative agricultural practices, and saltwater marsh restoration.
• Similar legislation has already passed in California, New Jersey,
  Hawaii, and Washington, and is being considered by 16 other states.
• Investments in renewable energy, public transportation, more
  efficient appliances and vehicles, and other technology will stimulate
  research, development, manufacturing, and services, and create many new
  jobs. Sales of the popular Prius hybrids helped Toyota overtake GM as the
  largest automobile manufacturer in the world. In response to increasing
  demand, BP Solar is doubling the size of its North American headquarters in
  Frederick, MD.
• California projects an economic benefit of $4 billion and 83,000
  new jobs from its state climate action plan. Arizona projects a benefit of
  $5.5 billion and 285,000 new jobs.
  

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  (The Talking Points below submitted by Robert Bouchard, Co-Chair, Baltimore County Climate Coalition): 

 
(GHG = greenhouse gas)

A recent U.S. National Academy of Sciences report begins with the following:
“GHGs are accumulating in the Earth’s atmosphere as a result of human activities, causing surface air temperatures and subsurface ocean temperatures to rise.”

U.S is the only industrialized country that has not signed the Kyoto Agreement.

Even George Bush [“….the serious challenge of climate change” (1/27/07) ; “ We must lead the world to produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions (9/28/07)] and Rupert Murdoch [“the planet deserves the benefit of the doubt….. It is our responsibility to take the lead on this issue (11/6/06] now recognize that global warming threatens the biosphere.

Given the extensive refereed scientific literature demonstrating that greenhouse gas accumulation in the earth’s atmosphere is causing global warming, the burden of proof to the contrary must be borne by the naysayers or denialists.

The consensus of scientific opinion is that Earth’s climate is being affected by human activity. A 2004 search of the scientific literature between 1993 and 2003 using the keywords “global climate change” resulted in 928 research papers. 75% of these either explicitly or implicitly accepted the consensus view. The remaining 25% took no position. None of the papers disagreed with the consensus position.

The reports issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
reflect the thinking of an overwhelming majority of atmospheric scientists that anthropogenic/man-made production of GHGs is accelerating global warming.

Climatologists predict that global warming will result in increasing severity of storms (e.g. Katrina) and marked changes in rainfall patterns leading to drought and flooding. We can project loss of crops and forests.

During the past 2 centuries, mankind has released as carbon dioxide much of the carbon that had been sequestered as coal, oil and natural gas over many millennia. The CO2 is accumulating in the earth’s atmosphere much faster than plants (crops, trees, etc) are able to turn it into biomass.

The U.S. has 5% of the world’s population and is responsible for 25% of the
world’s energy use.

China and India? How can we expect these countries to control their GHG emissions if we do not take the initiative to do so ourselves?

Melting of either the west Antarctic or the Greenland ice sheets would raise the level of the ocean by approx. 20 ft, flooding land inhabited by hundreds of millions of people. This would put much of the Delmarva Peninsula and Bangladesh, among others, under water.

There are multiplier effects operating too: shrinkage of ice cover of sea and land surface results in loss of sunlight/heat-reflecting surface area and increase in light/heat absorption by earth. Warming of the Artic resulting from the loss of snow cover will cause additional production of GHGs by soil microorganisms.

A 2006 review of the scientific literature revealed 866 peer-reviewed research papers that documented changes through time in species or environmental systems that can at least in part be attributed to climate change.

Climate change is already impacting on many species. One of many examples is the northward spread of pine bark beetles resulting in destruction of American forests previously protected by seasonal cold weather.

Rising temperature is leading to the movement northward from tropical areas of disease-bearing mosquitoes.

E.O. Wilson, a leading evolutionary biologist at Harvard , tells us that the 6th great extinction of species is already in progress. It results from climate change. The Earth is likely to experience the loss of 25-50% of its species of plants and animals

By mid- 21st century, ocean acidity resulting from increase in dissolved CO2 concentration could rise to the point that corals would be unable to form their skeletons. This added to increased water temperature will result in the death of the world’s coral reefs.

There are millions of people who rely on mountain snow melt as their source of water. The snow cover of mountains in Africa, Asia (the Himalayas) and S. America (the Andes) is shrinking. As water resources shrink, we can look forward to large-scale internal and cross-border movement of populations and the likelihood of wide-scale warfare.

We need a Marshall plan-like effort to develop and install technology to sequester GHGs. 

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