PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 15, 2007
CONTACT: Brad Heavner, Environment Maryland, 410-467-0439
Claire Douglass, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, 301-891-6833, 303-641-1593 (cell)
Dawn Stoltzfus, Maryland League of Conservation Voters, 410-280-9855, 410-562-5655 (cell)
Marylanders Call on Governor, Climate Commission to Commit to Targeted Reductions of Global Warming Pollution
Environmental Groups Rally Supporters and Deliver Petitions to Governor asking for 20 Percent Reductions in Global Warming Pollution by 2020, 80 Percent Reductions by 2050
ANNAPOLIS, MD—A coalition of environmental groups held a rally in front of the Maryland State House today before delivering thousands of petition signatures to Governor O’Malley urging his Administration and the Maryland Commission on Climate Change to set state targets to reduce global warming pollution. An oversized hourglass next to the podium highlighted the groups’ message: “the time to commit is now.”
“With every passing minute and turn of this hourglass, Marylanders contribute to 350,000 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution,” said Claire Douglass of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “With every passing minute, Maryland contributes to the growing crisis of global warming. By the time this event concludes, we will have added 10.5 million pounds of pollution.”
The Alliance for Global Warming Solutions, a coalition of environmental groups that include Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Environment Maryland, and the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, has collected more than 5,000 signatures calling on Governor O’Malley to cut global warming pollution to 20 percent by the year 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. These are the reductions scientists say is necessary to avoid the worst consequences of global warming.
Brad Heavner from Environment Maryland, an organization that recently published a report detailing ways to reduce greenhouse gasses, said: “The question should not be how much do we do, it should be how do we do as much as the scientists tell us we need to do.”
The Commission on Climate Change, created by executive order to develop an action plan addressing the causes of climate change, will hold its third meeting at 1 p.m. today in Room 164 of the Department of Budget and Management, 45 Calvert Street Annapolis.
Dawn Stoltzfus, of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, noted that polls show global warming is the number one environmental concern for voters. Ms. Stoltzfus said: “People know that global warming is real and they expect their leaders to do something about it. That’s why we’re here today. Our message to the Climate Commission and Governor O’Malley is clear: we support you and you’re on the right track -- Maryland must move from study to action.”
The letter, signed by more than 5,000 Marylanders and delivered to the Governor today, reads:
Gov. O’Malley and Commission Members -
I am glad to know that the Commission on Climate Change is working on a plan for Maryland to reduce global warming pollution – but we need to move from study to action right away.
I urge you to make a commitment to science-based reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists agree that we need to reduce emissions by 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050 in order to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.
The State of Maryland should make a firm commitment to those levels of reductions, then get to work designing effective programs to meet our commitment.
In addition to the citizen signature, the following groups and businesses signed onto the letter delivered to the Governor today:
Businesses:
Alta Plana Corporation - Brennan & Company Architects - Browdy and Neimark PLLC - Clean Currents - Conservation Engineering - Design One Corporation - eProcess Solutions - Katcef Associates - NFW Enterprises, Inc - Phoenix International Inc. - Plans and Solutions,Inc. - Revolution Construction Services - Richard Hill Engineering - Solaleya - Standard Solar - SUN DAY Campaign - TerraLogos Green Home Services - W L Gore & Associates - Weil, Akman, Baylin & Coleman
Organizations
Alliance for Sustainable Communities - Am Kolel Jewish Renewal Center - Anacostia Watershed Society - Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility - Cecil County Medical Society - Cedar Heights Civic Association - Center for a New American Dream - Chesapeake Climate Action Network - Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance (CSBA) - Clean Water Action - Committee on the Environment of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland - Community Ministries of Prince George's County - Environment Maryland - Environmental Integrity Project - Faith Community United Methodist Church - Generations for Peace and Democracy (GPD) - Goucher College (Environmental Group) - Hopkins Energy Action Team (HEAT) - Johns Hopkins University - League of Women Voters of Maryland - Maryland Green Party - Maryland League of Conservation Voters - Maryland United for Peace and Justice - Potomac River Association (PRA) - Progressive Cheverly - Sierra Club - Maryland Chapter - St. Marys College of Maryland Student Environmental Action Coalition - SunEdison - TerraLogos Green Home Services - Towson Energy Activists - Towson University - U MD Students for Clean Energy - University of Maryland College Park
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Dawn Stoltzfus
Deputy Director
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
Nine State Circle, Suite 202
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
410-280-9855 phone
410-280-9857 fax
www.mdlcv.org
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