Power Plants and Cars Are Main Culprits
Cited in Report
Baltimore—Global warming pollution in Maryland increased by 16% between 1990 and 2004, according to The Carbon Boom, a new analysis of state
fossil fuel consumption data released today by the Environment Maryland. This is the first time that 2004 state-by-state
data on carbon dioxide emissions have been released.
“Given the risks from global
warming, it’s incredibly irresponsible for Maryland’s global warming pollution to increase. It’s like the doctor telling you that you
need to go on a serious diet, but instead you go straight for the ice cream,”
said Field Organizer Jennifer Bronder.
Environment Maryland’s report comes less than a week after the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a U.N. body charged with assessing
the scientific record on global warming, released its consensus report on the
current and projected impacts of global warming. The report warned
of increasing droughts, floods, heat waves, water stress, forest fires,
and coastal flooding in the United States but
concluded that “many impacts can be avoided, reduced, or delayed” by
quickly and significantly reducing global warming pollution.
“Global warming pollution is
skyrocketing in Maryland just as scientists are sounding alarms that we must rapidly
reduce pollution to protect future generations.
This report is a wake-up call to cap pollution levels now before it is
too late,” said Bronder.
“This report underscores the
urgency for federal action to reduce carbon emissions. Absent federal action, Maryland must continue to take action to limit greenhouse
gases. This year, the General Assembly
took an important step by approving the “Clean Cars” bill, which will require
every new car sold in Maryland to pollute less, beginning with the 2011 model
year. However, Maryland can and should follow the lead of other states and
establish a statewide goal of progressively reduced global warming emissions,”
said Delegate Dana Stein, Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 11
(Baltimore County).
Using data compiled by the
U.S. Department of Energy, Environment Maryland’s new report examines trends in
carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption between 1990 and 2004,
the most recent year for which state-by-state data are available.
Major findings of the report
include:
- Maryland’s carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel
consumption grew from 69.9 million metric tons to 81.0 million metric tons
between 1990 and 2004, an increase of 16%.
- Nationwide, emissions of carbon dioxide from
fossil fuel consumption increased by 18% between 1990 and 2004. Coal-fired power plants and the
transportation sector—especially cars and SUVs—drove this emissions
increase.
- In Maryland, carbon dioxide emissions from burning
gasoline (primarily in cars and SUVs) increased by 32% between 1990 and
2004, rising from 17.4 million metric tons to 22.9 million metric tons. Between 1990 and 2004, vehicle miles
traveled in Maryland increased by 36%, while cars and SUVs became
less efficient. Maryland ranked 10th nationwide for the largest absolute
increase in carbon dioxide emissions from motor gasoline consumption over
the 15 year period.
“The good news is that we
have the technology at our fingertips to cut global warming pollution and forge
a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Bronder.
The United States could substantially reduce its global warming
pollution by using existing technologies to make power plants, businesses,
homes, and cars more efficient and increasing the use of clean, renewable energy
sources, such as wind and solar power.
The Safe Climate Act (H.R.
1590), introduced by Representative Henry Waxman (CA) in the House, and the
Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S. 309), introduced by Senators Bernie
Sanders (VT) and Barbara Boxer (CA) in the Senate, would limit global warming
pollution to levels that current science says are needed to prevent the worst
effects of global warming. The bills
would freeze U.S. global warming emissions in 2010 and reduce emissions
by about 15% by 2020 and by 80% by 2050.
“To protect future
generations, our leaders must take decisive action to cut global warming pollution. Environment Maryland calls on Senators Mikulski and Cardin to co-sponsor
the only bill that does what scientists say we need to do—the Safe Climate Act,”
concluded Bronder. “We commend Representatives
Cummings, Van Hollen, Wynn, and Sarbanes for co-sponsoring this critical
legislation.”
Carbon-Boom.pdf