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Energy & Global Warming
But scientists also say we can curb global warming and its consequences -- if we take bold, comprehensive action now.
Virginia’s economy currently relies heavily on fossil fuels and lags behind other states in curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, during the study for its Citizens Energy Plan (CEP), the Virginia Chapter Sierra Club found the state has considerable potential for efficiency and renewables.
Virginia could reduce carbon dioxide emissions on an average of two percent per year as early as 2030, putting us on a path to reach 80 percent reduction by 2050. The CEP projects a nearly complete phase-out of power generated from coal by 2030.
Virginia Has Too Much To Lose
Virginia has too much to lose if we don't act now and act aggressively.
- Virginia communities rank highest in the world in terms of asset vulnerable to sea level rise. According to an Ernst & Young survey, the top insurance risk in 2008 is climate change. Fifty-five percent (55%) of insurance companies in the mid-Atlantic area has stopped writing new policies in Virginia's 19 coastal communities.
- Sea level rise, higher salinity and water temperature increases caused by global warming will have a devastating affect on fish and wildlife in Virginia. In 2005, Virginia's fishing industry alone took in more than $1.23 billion.
- Global warming is already affecting people's health. Virginia is seeing an increasing number of severe heat waves. Warmer temperatures leads to greater smog which damages lung tissue, increases respiratory and heart disease and death, and causes asthma in children. It causes spread of illnesses, allergens, mosquito-bourne disease like West Nile virus, and food- and water-borne diseases like salmonella.
- Sea level rise combined with greater storm surges hitting Virginia's coast areas create nightmare scenarios for evacuation efforts, taxing greatly our already sub-standard public infrastructure.
 Take Action and Get Involved!
We can make simple decisions on national, state, local, and personal levels that will reduce global warming pollution.
We already have the clean energy technology to tackle the pressing issue of global warming. The Sierra Club believes that in order to safely and effectively mitigate the effects of climate change, comprehensive global warming legislation must be enacted at every level of government that 1) reduces dangerous emissions, 2) transitions our communities to clean energy economies, and 3) adopts energy efficiency and renewable energy programs and goals.
Click here to take action for Smart Energy Solutions in Virginia.
Dominion is Virginia’s biggest corporate polluter of both global warming and toxic mercury pollution. Their $1.6 billion coal-fired power plant that will bulche more than 5.3 million tons of dangerous CO2 emissions per year, uses coal derived from blowing up Virginia's beautiful mountains and burying its mountain streams and valleys. Meanwhile, Big Oil stands poised to open Virginia's pristine beaches to offshore drilling.
Click here and learn how you can help put a stop to Dirty Energy.
 "Cooler Communities"
More than 900 "Cool Cities" have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and pledged to reduce global warming pollution. The campaign aims to help these cities fulfill their pledges through energy efficiency and renewable energy, and encourages more cities to become "cool."
Over a dozen Virginia communities have pledged to be "Cool Cities" or "Cool Counties". This is great and very fulfilling work, where even the simplest of activity can have a dramatic effect on improving the quality of lives in our neighborhoods.
Click here to learn more about our Virginia "Cool Communities".
Sources:
Coastal Vulnerability Map, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Open-File Report 99-593
Economic Contributions of Virginia’s Commercial Seafood and Recreational Fishing Industries, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
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