Indiana Scientists and Economists' Call for Action
We, the undersigned scientists and economists living and working in the State of Indiana, support the U.S. Scientists and Economists’ Call for Swift and Deep Cuts in Greenhouse Gas Emissions, which calls on our nation’s leaders to act quickly to cut emissions sufficiently to protect against the worst effects of global warming and states that such action creates economic opportunities for the nation.
Fortunately, climate action will create economic opportunities, including new jobs in advanced manufacturing for the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, and the opportunity for Indiana to become a world leader in renewable energy technology. Moreover, climate action that promotes energy efficiency will reduce the costs of transportation, heating and electricity. While taking action to move to cleaner sources of energy and reduce global warming emissions will have some short-run consequences for certain industries and regions, policies can be designed to help both consumers and industries make the transition to a clean energy economy.
On the other hand, without strong leadership and action, Indiana could experience significant changes because of global warming, changes that will create adaptation costs for the State. In fact, new climate science research shows that we are feeling the effects of climate change faster and more intensely than earlier projections indicated, underscoring the need for urgent action to reduce emissions. For example, towards the end of the century, without action:
- increasingly wet springs would delay the planting of crops;
- hot, dry summers would cause heat stress on crops and reduce yields; specifically, the reduced soil moisture from evaporation extends the periods of both high temperature and drought.
- every summer in Indiana would be hotter than the most severe summer in recent decades;
- Indianapolis would experience more than 80 days per summer of temperature over 90°F, with almost a month over 100°F.
The good news is that, because of its manufacturing base and biomass, wind, and intellectual capital resources, Indiana is well positioned to take advantage of the new green economy that would be created by strong climate change policy. Clean tech businesses exist throughout the state and will grow with a robust renewable energy economy.
We respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to act rapidly and sensibly. As Congress crafts comprehensive climate and energy legislation, key provisions in the bill should:
- Require global warming pollution reductions commensurate with the scientific urgency—on the order of 35 percent below today’s levels by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050;
- Require polluters to buy credits for their global warming emissions at an auction, and use the auction revenue for the public’s benefit by investing in programs that can help reduce emissions and ease the transition to a clean energy economy;
- Require 25 percent of our nation’s electricity to be generated from renewable resources by 2025.
- Exclude loopholes that would let polluters delay or avoid needed emissions reductions, especially unlimited carbon “offsets” or a price ceiling that limits the fee for emissions.
We hope you will demonstrate your commitment to responsible stewardship of America's environment for our children and grandchildren by supporting scientifically and economically sound climate and energy policy.
Sincerely,
(selected endorsers)
| Bennett Brabson, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Department of Physics Indiana University, Bloomington Bloomington, IN |
Richard Jensen, Ph.D. Professor and Chair Department of Economics University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN |
| Gabriel Filippelli, Ph.D. Professor and Chair Department of Earth Sciences Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN |
Stanley Keil, Ph.D Associate Professor of Economics Department of Economics Ball State University Muncie, IN |
| Jessica J. Hellmann, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Biological Sciences University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN |
