The Alliance for Global Warming Solutions

Local Groups Laud Maryland Climate Proposal

 

DECEMBER 4—The Alliance for Global Warming Solutions – a coalition of local organizations combating climate change – today expressed support for the first report of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change. The report outlines early action items to decrease the state’s global warming pollution.

The group was specifically pleased to see the commission recommend such aggressive targets, including reductions of 25% below 2006 levels by 2020 and 90% by 2050. These strong targets are bolstered by recommendations for a major new energy efficiency program and increases to the state’s renewable energy standard, illustrating the commitment of commission participants to implementing the plan quickly.

“This forward thinking report is a fantastic first step in confronting the issue of catastrophic climate change,” said Claire Douglass, Maryland Campaign Coordinator for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a steering committee member of the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions. “Sea level rise associated with global warming will have a devastating impact on Maryland’s citizens and economy. It is heartening to see our state taking its future into its own hands, assuming a leading role on this global issue.”

While the Alliance applauded the targets as “visionary,” the group also expressed concerns over how the targets will be met. One major weakness in the report is the absence of early recommendations on the issue of transportation, which is particularly relevant as the administration is moving forward with construction of the Intercounty Connector.

“The targets are impressive, but the urgency of climate change requires we ensure that strong, achievable goals are matched with specific plans that can actually be implemented,” said Dave O’Leary of the Maryland Sierra Club. “By not taking early action on the issue of transportation – which is the second largest source of global warming pollution in the state – the likelihood of achieving these goals comes into question. That said, this is a welcomed first step and we look forward to working with the Commission to ensure the targets are achieved.”

The Alliance for Global Warming Solutions organized eight Global Warming Town Hall Meetings across the state this fall drawing over 650 citizens, and has delivered over 12,800 postcards to Governor O’Malley and the Commission from concerned Marylanders. As a next step, the Alliance plans to fill the streets of Annapolis on January 17^th with hundreds of citizens demanding that we make these visionary targets into law by passing the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008.

For further comment or to speak with members of the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions please contact Cherie Yelton at 443-254-1602 or Clyelton@comcast.net. You may also visit www.alliancemd.org.

Steering Committee Members

Alliance for Global Warming Solutions, Cherie Yelton, clyelton@comcast.net, 443-254-1602

Sierra Club, Dave O’Leary, daveol@earthlink.net, 301-277-7111

Audubon Naturalist Society, Mike Harold, mharold@audubonnaturalist.org, 301-652-9188

Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Claire Douglass, claire@chesapeakeclimate.org, 240-396-1985

University of Maryland School of Nursing Environmental Health Education Center, Brenda Afzal, bafzal@son.umaryland.edu, 410-706-1778

Lutheran Office on Public Policy, Lee Hudson, messiahodsq@netzero.net, 410-935-3696

Maryland League of Conservation Voters, Cindy Schwartz, cschwartz@mdlcv.org, 240-535-6050

Environment Maryland, Brad Heavner, bsh@environmentmaryland.org, 410-467-0439

Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance, Keith Losoya, Keith@CSBAlliance.org, 410-342-1482

Alliance for Global Warming Solutions

Alliance for Sustainable Communities -Am Kolel Jewish Renewal Center -Anacostia Watershed Society -Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility -Cecil County Medical Society -Cedar Heights Civic Association -Center for a New American Dream -Chesapeake Climate Action Network – Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance (CSBA) -Clean Water Action -Committee on the Environment of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland -Community Ministries of Prince George’s County -Environment Maryland -Environmental Integrity Project -Faith Community United Methodist Church -Generations for Peace and Democracy (GPD) -Global Warming Action Alliance -Goucher College Environmental Group – Hopkins Energy Action Team (HEAT) -Johns Hopkins University -League of Women Voters of Maryland – Maryland Green Party -Maryland League of Conservation Voters -Maryland United for Peace and Justice – Potomac River Association (PRA) -Progressive Cheverly -Sierra Club -Maryland Chapter -St. Marys College of Maryland Student Environmental Action Coalition -Sun Day Campaign -Towson Energy Activists – Towson University -U MD Students for Clean Energy -University of Maryland College Park