What Washington Can Learn from Montana (at least most of us) when it comes to efforts to reduce global warming
| January 18, 2008 |  View for printing |
You might not expect Montana to be a climate change pioneer. Though Montanans emit nearly twice as much greenhouse gases as the average American on a per-capita basis — thanks to the state's long distances and cold weather — the Treasure State accounts for just 0.6% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. But under Gov. Brian Schweitzer, this often right-leaning state is tackling both the effects of global warming and its causes, in a way that puts the federal government to shame.
In November, a climate change advisory committee for the state, initiated by Schweitzer, delivered its first report, issuing 54 recommendations that would reduce Montana's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, including renewable energy incentives and reforestation. The Western state is also investing in biofuels and wind power, looking to wean itself off of the coal plants that produce most of its electricity.
"We recognize that there is climate change happening," says Schweitzer, who was the first governor in the U.S. to sign the 25 x '25 initiative, which aims to have 25% of the country's energy produced from renewable sources by 2025. "We know that moving now will mitigate those effects."
By BRYAN WALSH
Full Story: http://www.time.com/time/health/arti ... =rss-health
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Climate talk's cancellation splits a U.S. town - Choteau, Montana High School cancels speech by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Steven Running http://matr.net/article-27304.html
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Norway Could Be Carbon-Neutral by 2030
OSLO (Reuters) - Norway, which last year set what it called the world's most ambitious target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, said on Thursday it aimed to go "carbon neutral" in 2030, which is 20 years earlier than its previous target.
The new target was set when the Labour-led coalition government reached agreement with three opposition parties to bring the goal forward from 2050.
By John Acher and Camilla Bergsli
Full Story: http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/29456
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