Representative Pricey Harrison   House District 57 2119 Legislative Building Raleigh, NC 27601-1096 919-733-5771
mAY
January 24, 2008

 

 

Greetings,

 

 

North Carolinians are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of global warming.  We are currently experiencing the worst drought on record in our state which many scientists believe has been exacerbated by climate change.  Legislators share your concerns and are working hard to come up with solutions to problems caused by global climate change. Many states across the country have taken the lead on this critical issue in the absence of leadership at the federal level.   The Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change, which I co-chair and has been meeting for the past two years, met last Thursday to discuss the effects of climate change and what North Carolina needs to do to prevent the catastrophic effects of global warming. It is worth noting that North Carolina's carbon emissions rank 27th in the world, and when you combine ours with those of South Carolina and Virginia, we are the equivalent of South Korea's emissions.

 

 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

 

The climate change commission heard a summary of the most recent report form the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which  is made up of 2,500 scientist nominated by countries around the world.  The IPCC reviews published and peer-reviewed literature focused on climate change and publishes a report as a consensus on the issue. In 2007, the IPCC shared the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize with former Vice President Al Gore.

 

The IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report

 

Late last year the IPCC released its Fourth Assessment Report.  According to this report, global warming is a reality and is most definitely caused by increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.  Greenhouse gas emissions have increased 70% in the last 35 years.  Worldwide temperature has increased by 1.35ºF   in the last century and is expected to increase 2-11ºF in the 21st Century.  Eleven of the last twelve years have been the warmest on record (since 1850). 

 

Environmental Changes

 

During the next century, sea levels will probably rise 7-23 inches and we will have extremely high tides, heavy precipitation, and more intense hurricanes more often.  As carbon dioxide emissions  increase, the ocean warms and loses its ability to sequester carbon, which could take centuries to reverse. Coastal states like North Carolina (with more than 4500 miles of coastal shoreline) are at greater risk of storm surge and coastal erosion.  North Carolina is third on the list of vulnerability to rising sea levels, behind Florida and Louisiana.  Many coastal geologists predict that much of our Outer Banks could be under water within a generation.

 

At the same time, we will have increased heat waves and drought.  Higher percentages of our rainfall will come in shorter periods of time.  Increased carbon dioxide is  also making the oceans more acidic, which harms marine life.

 

A 7.2ºF  increase in temperature will lead to the extinction of more than 40% of plant and animal species.  North American wood and timber producers could lose $1-2 billion a year due to wildfires, insect infestation, and diseases. Our Christmas tree industry could be wiped out as well as other crops that are accustomed to our current climate.

 

Health Issues

 

With a decrease in the number of cold days and nights, plant and animal pests will increase leading to disease and food shortages.  Global warming has already contributed to an increase and spread of diseases and premature deaths.  North Carolina will likely experience outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever. In the middle of the 21st Century, more than 1 billion people will experience water and food shortages and may have to relocate to survive, including tens of millions of Americans.

 

What Can We Do?

 

We have many options that can change the effects of global warming.  Using renewable energy sources and fuel efficient/hybrid vehicles are easy ways to start.  We can also use green building methods and use solar powered heating and cooling systems.  We should also restore soils that can store carbon, use better agriculture techniques to reduce methane gases, use crops as alternative fuels, and compost organic waste. We will also need to adapt to the fact that sea level rise and climate change are happening. We will need to adopt better coastal management practices as well as help farmers adjust to new planting options.

 

Last summer, North Carolina became the first state in the southeast to set a renewable energy standard for power companies.  We passed laws to reduce energy  consumption, promote the use of alternative energy sources and biodeisel fuel, and strengthened regulations for the construction of landfills.  We also banned the construction of new hog lagoons and increased the maximum penalty for air quality violations. There is more that we can and should do.

 

The Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change is considering policy recommendations for the General Assembly.  Some of these include setting a cap for carbon emissions,, establishing a cap and trade system for carbon emissions, developing a market for carbon offsets which could help our farmers, adopting cleaner car standards as 11 other states have done, developing  more renewable energy opportunities such as offshore wind and wave energy, and other policy considerations. The  Commission will make formal  recommendations to the legislature in may.  On February 11, 2008, Rajendra K. Pachauri, the Nobel Prize-winning  Chair of the IPCC, will address members of the Commission and offer suggestions on other policies North Carolina should consider to maintain our quality of life.

 

Please remember that you can listen to each day's committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly's website at http://www.ncleg.net.  Once on the site, select "audio," and then make your selection - Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room. You can also use the website to look up bills, view lawmaker biographies and access other information.

 

Please continue to keep in touch – on global warming and environmental issues – as well as other issues which impact you and your family.

 

Cheers,

Pricey