Global Warming In the News

A report issued by the advocacy group Environment Massachusetts, in cooperation with several state legislators, outlines more than 20 strategies to reduce energy emissions. The report, “Global Warming Solutions That Work,” is part of the effort to persuade the Statehouse to implement statewide energy and pollution policies.

Some Massachusetts communities already are working to reduce energy usage, but Worcester Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes said it isn’t quite enough.

“Here in Worcester, we’ve worked with the Community Development Corporation to install solar panels on our low-income housing, have switched to energy efficient light bulbs in city buildings, and our new North High School will be a LEED certifiable building,” she said, “but more needs to be done.” With regards to North High, the mayor was referring to certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The state Senate in March passed the Global Warming Solutions Act, which would enforce caps on pollution levels in the state, and earlier this week passed a measure that would force utility companies to invest in conservation and provide incentives for development and marketing power from renewable resources. The goal of the bill is to reduce pollution levels by 20 percent in 2020, from what they were in 1990, and by 80 percent in 2050. Passing those bills demonstrated the Senate’s commitment to the issue, said Benjamin Wright, a spokesman for Environment Massachusetts. The organization hopes that commitment will be echoed by the state House of Representatives, where both measures are awaiting approval.

Mrs. Lukes urged lawmakers to be an example for the rest of the state by passing the legislation.

“By passing the Global Warming Solutions Act, leaders on Beacon Hill will make it easier for cities across the commonwealth to put in place bold, common-sense solutions to global warming that clean our air and save our residents money on their energy bills,” she said.

The advocacy group’s report makes several suggestions for reducing pollution such as adopting mandatory caps on emissions. It also recommends putting energy-efficient improvements and development of renewable energy at the forefront of environmental and economic policy. Strong building energy and efficiency standards are among the policies that can help reduce pollution, according to the report.

State Rep. Martha M. Walz, D-Boston, said the seriousness of global warming makes it imperative to approve the environmental legislation.

“With the consequences of global warming becoming increasingly obvious, each of us must take action to curb global warming pollution, and our city and state governments must also adopt laws to reduce emission,” she said. “This report gives specific examples of what we should do to help our planet.”

Environment Massachusetts, in its report, calls global warming the “defining challenge of our time” and said states and communities across the United States should make the goal of reducing energy emissions by 15 percent to 20 percent by 2020 a priority.

“Only bold, science-based action can stave off catastrophic effects of global warming,” Mr. Wright said.