CALIFORNIA
Oil and gasoline prices are on the rise, and California’s economy is in trouble. Our reliance on these fossil fuels is also augmenting global warming—a problem that will only get worse with inaction. If we do nothing about global warming, California could lose 95,616 jobs! (i)
A hotter, drier climate could increase the frequency of wildfires throughout the state. Warmer temperatures could also increase the need for irrigation, while at the same time decreasing the amount of available water. (ii)
The heart of both of these problems—economic and ecological—is our dependence on non-renewable energy sources. California is a renewable energy leader among states, but there is potential for much more. (iii)
With an aggressive strategy, we can reduce the need for any non-renewable sources at all, creating new jobs at the same time!
California has the ability to generate an incredible 150% of its current energy needs from renewable sources! (iv)
In California, progress is being made to combat climate change. California has gone beyond the requirements of the Western Climate Initiative to set a goal of an 80% reduction in emissions below 1990 levels by 2050. (v)
But we’ll need strong leadership to carry us forward in the fight against global warming.
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