Global Climate Change
Global climate change is indeed a world wide problem due the increase of greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide that trap the suns radiation resulting in average global temperatures rising over dramatically over the past decades. These temperature changes mean an increase in severe weather events such as hurricanes and drought. The Rocky Mountain Region is vulnerable to climate change which would mean less snow and in turn less water in an already arid region susceptible to drought. The economic impacts could be immense for our tourist economy including the ski industry and other outdoor activities like rafting and fishing. If just a fraction of the predicted impacts of global climate change occur, it would strike a stunning blow to the quality of life we all enjoy in Colorado.
Colorado Environmental Coalition recognizes that clean energy is the fastest, cheapest, most reliable way to increase energy supplies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Devastating such special places as proposed wilderness and Colorado's spectacular wildlands is a bitter and needless sacrifice. Developing new technologies in clean energy protects our air and water quality, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduces pressure to drill pristine public lands important for wildlife and recreation – priceless resources that make Colorado a desirable place to live and work.
Colorado could be instrumental in solving our nation's energy problems by developing our state's vast supply of clean energy. Colorado has a great potential for adopting clean energy technologies and already Coloradans who buy wind power pay less for their monthly energy bill. All Coloradans could be saving money and reducing our greenhouse gas output if our state relied more on wind power and invested more in energy efficiency, and used less natural gas and coal.
The organization played a key role along with our coalition partners in passing Amendment 37 in 2004. Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved the measure that would require utilities to produce 10 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2015. There is great potential in Colorado to rely more on renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency. Colorado Environmental Coalition is excited to be part of the new Colorado Apollo Alliance – a coalition of labor, agriculture, business and conservation interests working on promoting new energy technologies that will move us toward energy independence and create good jobs and financial security for Colorado's working families.
During the 2006 Colorado Legislative session CEC and our coalition partners worked to promote clean energy solutions at the capitol. Four key bill were passed this year which included:
- Legislation that provides assistance to low income families to pay home heating bills and weatherize homes;
- Legislation that creates an innovative coal technology pilot program that will reduce air emissions and capture carbon;
- A renewable fuels standard that creates incentives for cellulostic ethanol;
- Legislation that creates a natural gas efficiency program.
Global Climate Change—What you can do!
There are many small steps you can take in your own home to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:
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Turn down water heater thermostat to 120°F.
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Turn off lights when leaving a room.
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Set thermostats to 68°F in winter when you're home, and down to 55°F when you go to bed or when you're away. (Programmable thermostats do this automatically).
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Use energy-saving settings on washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
Stay up to date on priority legislation at the state level and take action by asking your representatives to support clean energy alternatives by signing up (free) for the Colorado Action Network at: www.coloradoactionnetwork.org
Join and contribute to local organizations that work on global climate change and clean energy solutions like Colorado Environmental Coalition and the organizations listed below.
Organizations Working on Clean Energy and Global Climate Change
Rocky Mountain Institute: www.rmi.org
Rocky Mountain Climate Change Organization: www.rockymountainclimate.org
Colorado Wind Power Campaign: www.cogreenpower.org
Interwest Energy Alliance: www.interwestenergy.org
Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Sierra Club: rmc.sierraclub.org
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project: www.swenergy.org
Environment Colorado: www.environmentcolorado.org
Western Resource Advocates: www.westernresources.org
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