ALABAMA
With record oil prices, Alabama’s economy is hurting. Our dependence on oil and coal is also fueling global warming—which is having serious effects here at home. The economic costs in Alabama will only get worse. If we don’t take action to address climate change by shifting to clean energy, Alabama could lose 14,099 more jobs. (i)
Alabama’s farmers will also be hit hard. Alabama could see a fall of 29-54% of farmed acres by 2100. We could also see increased flooding as a result of a predicted 20-inch rise in sea levels. (ii)
At the root of both of these problems—a slowing economy and a warming planet—is our dependence on fossil fuels. Alabama currently gets a majority of its power from coal. (iii)
By investing in renewable energy, we can create thousands of good new jobs, cut our dependence on oil, and solve global warming.
Alabama has the potential to generate 88% of our power from clean renewable sources! (iv)
What we need is leadership to get us started.
SOURCES:
i. http://www.bluegreenalliance.org/site/c.enKIITNpEiG/b.3417259/
ii. http://www.nextgenerationearth.org/usstates/statelist/
iii. http://getenergyactive.org/fuel/state.htm
iv. http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/clean_energy/Plugging_In_Renewable_Energy.pdf