NEW YORK
With oil prices higher than they’ve ever been, New York’s economy is in trouble. Our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels is also augmenting global warming. Already facing a slowing economy, we cannot afford to allow global warming to continue. Estimates indicate that if the current trend of warming continues, New York could lose 47,930 jobs. (i)
Home to nearly 19 million people, the New York metropolitan area is one of the largest coastal centers of population in the world and, there, one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to rising sea levels. (ii)
At the root of these problems is our reliance on non-renewable sources of energy. Today, New York generates half of its electricity from fossil fuels.
By developing cutting edge renewable energy technologies, we can create good jobs here in New York and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. (iii)
Currently, New York has the potential to generate more than 110% of the energy it needs from clean, renewable sources. (iv)
New York has already taken steps in the right direction on global warming. As a member of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in the Northeast, New York has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% below 1990 levels by 2019. (v) Also, in 2006 the state set a goal to generate 25% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2013. (vi)
While New York is making important progress, we need national action and strong leadership to jumpstart the clean energy economy.
SOURCES:
i. http://www.apolloalliance.org/downloads/resources_ApolloReport_022404_122748.pdf
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
vi. http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_states/rps.cfm