VERMONT

With record-setting oil and energy prices, Vermont’s economy is ailing. Our dependence on fossil fuels is leading to increased global warming. Already facing a slowing economy, we simply cannot afford to allow global warming to continue unabated. In fact, studies show that combating global warming will have tremendous economic benefits. With a strong investment over ten years, the US economy will see 3.3 million new jobs. (i)

Until we commit to comprehensive solutions to global warming, rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are likely to disrupt Vermont’s tourism industry, not to mention its agriculture and other industries. (ii)

The cause of these problems is our reliance on non-renewable sources of energy.

By developing clean, green energy, we can not only reduce our contribution to global warming in Vermont, but also we can also put Vermont residents to work in good, dependable green jobs.

Already, Vermont has the potential to produce more than three times as much energy as it needs from renewables! (iv)

Vermont has already taken positive steps toward reducing its contribution to climate change. In 2001 the state agreed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020. (v)

But we’ll need strong leadership to continue the fight against climate change.

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

v. http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_states/rps.cfm