Union of Concerned Scientists

Global warming is the result of human activity. By burning coal, oil, and gas in our homes, industries, and cars, we are releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide first mixes in the atmosphere and then spreads out like a blanket—warming the Earth by trapping heat. The more carbon dioxide we release into the atmosphere, the thicker the blanket gets, and the more the globe warms up.

By putting less heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, we will slow the pace and reduce the magnitude of global warming. In effect, lowering heat-trapping gas emissions is an "insurance policy" that will help protect a clean, healthy environment for ourselves, our children, and their children.

Technologies exist today that can substantially reduce our carbon dioxide emissions while saving money and creating new business opportunities. Environmental and health benefits, as well as climate protection, can be achieved simultaneously with economic gain.

Energy Solutions in the Gulf States
The major sources of heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions are burning fossil fuels for our electricity, our vehicles, and our industries. The Gulf Coast states’ carbon dioxide emissions are among the highest in the nation, and the fossil fuel industry is the region’s largest economic sector. Yet even in this part of the country, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced while maintaining economic vitality. Gulf Coast states can contribute to, and benefit from, the development of clean energy technologies and alternative energy markets. Some examples of energy solutions are described below:

• Louisiana is emerging as a leader of climate change solutions by switching most of its energy production from oil to natural gas—a cleaner fossil fuel that releases less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than coal or oil. The state is also pursuing opportunities for increasing energy efficiency and developing renewable bioenergy resources.
  
  
• Texas has already begun to generate its electricity from a variety of clean energy resources—wind, solar, bioenergy, and geothermal. The state is big enough to have the market power muscle to spread their use. The industrial, transportation, and building sectors can significantly reduce carbon dioxide by switching from coal and oil to natural gas, and by using already available technologies to achieve energy efficiencies. With its strong technology and knowledge-based economy, Texas could also make a significant contribution by further developing such technologies for regional, national, and global markets.
  
  
• Florida relies heavily on electricity generated outside the state's borders. In light of the health vulnerabilities of its rapidly growing elderly population, the state can save money by reducing air pollution from vehicles and power plants—for example, by cleaner and more fuel efficient vehicles, by fewer vehicle miles traveled, and by clean solar power. In fact, the state legislature just required the Florida Public Service Commission to explore the opportunities for renewable energy resources in the state (Spring 2002).

Cleaner and Smarter Cities in the Gulf States
Through the international Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, a number of communities are already tackling heat-trapping gas emissions by improving energy efficiency, supporting small-scale use of renewable energy, reducing vehicle miles traveled, reducing waste, and taking other landscaping and planning measures. These communities can serve as models to other Gulf Coast communities. Participants include Alachua, Broward, Delta, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, and Orange Counties in Florida; Miami Beach, Riviera Beach, and Tampa, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Austin, Texas. A separate by equally commendable effort is the Alabama governor's initiative on energy conservation.

Forest Conservation in the Gulf States
Forest plants and soils naturally absorb and store carbon dioxide. When forests are cut down or destroyed by fire, large amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere. Conserving and re-growing forests are still largely undeveloped opportunities to reduce carbon dioxide emmissions to the atmosphere. Similarly, good agricultural land-use practices help store carbon in soils. While some current agricultural and forestry operations already help to sequester carbon, natural forest protection and reforestation can make a strong contribution to the region's mitigation strategies. Conserving forests also preserves the plant and animal species that live there and helps maintain the water purification and flood control services that intact forests provide.

Additional Resources

• Common Sense on Climate Change, a series of practical steps we can take to become responsible stewards of our environment and help to slow global warming.
  
  
• Clean Energy Blueprint, a set of policies to increase US energy efficiency and renewable energy use.
  
  
• Drilling in Detroit, a comprehensive assessment of both the technical and economic potential of achieving a safe and fuel-efficient fleet.