Study documents rising emissions from 1990 through 2005
Hartford- As scientists report a large break-up of ice from Antarctica and warn it is a sign of increasing global warming, Environment Connecticut and Clean Water Action today released a new report, Falling Behind: New England Must Act Now to Reduce Global Warming Pollution. The study’s authors found that global warming emissions grew throughout New England by 10.9% from 1990 to 2005 while Connecticut’s emissions increased 8.3% over that time period. The study is the first of its kind to produce a thorough estimate of global warming emissions for 2005, the most recent year for which full data on fuel use, agriculture and waste disposal is available from the federal government.
In 2001, the New England Governors signed a regional agreement to work towards reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, 10% below 1990 by 2020, and 75%-85% below 2001 levels by 2050. In 2004, the Connecticut General Assembly adopted these reductions as goals for the state, and in 2005, the state released its Climate Change Action Plan for achieving these goals. To achieve these goals, the study found that Connecticut needs to reduce emissions 7.7 percent below 2005 levels by 2010, and 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.
“Connecticut needs to redouble its efforts to cut global warming pollution,” said Christopher Phelps of Environment Connecticut. “Enacting enforceable limits on our emissions of global warming pollution is the next big step to get the state back on track to fulfilling its commitment.”
The good news is that Connecticut’s emissions trends from some sources are beginning to move in the right direction. As Connecticut’s economy grew between 2001 and 2005, emissions from industrial and commercial sources actually declined 8.5%, in part due to increased investments in energy efficiency in those sectors. Connecticut’s power plants produced 12.2% fewer emissions 1990 to 2005, reflecting a transition from use of oil to generate electricity to cleaner sources.
Unfortunately transportation emissions increased 20% from 1990 to 2005. This is largely due to steadily increasing numbers of miles traveled, and a trend towards less fuel-efficient vehicles during this time period.
“Governor Rell could help us get on track by joining the governors of California and New Jersey who directed their state agencies to issue all incentives and regulations needed to cut global warming pollution,” said Roger Smith, Campaign Director for Clean Water Action. “While high fossil fuel prices have gotten everyone’s attention, we need our government to make sure we have affordable alternatives, from modern public transportation to financial assistance weatherizing our homes.”
Finally, the groups called on the Connecticut General Assembly to swiftly enact legislation (HB 5600) that would create mandatory limits on statewide global warming emissions, similar to limits already in place in New Jersey, California, Hawaii and Washington.
