What's New
Governor Crist has set a
goal of reducing Florida's global warming emissions by 80% by 2050,
which is what scientists say we must do to prevent the worst effects of
global warming.
In order to meet this ambitious goal, Governor
Crist's executive order calls for adopting the "clean cars program" to
reduce tailpipe emissions from vehicles, requires utilities to
generate 20% of their electricity from clean, renewable sources, and
calls for increasing the energy efficiency of new homes, businesses and
appliances in Florida by at least 15% by 2009.
Environment
Florida
staff are working with the Governor's Climate Action Team, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Public Service Commission, providing recommendations for how to most effectively implement these policies and make Florida
a leader in addressing global warming.
How You Can Help
Call your state legislator and urge them to support Governor Crist's
plan to reduce Florida's global warming pollution. To find your state
legislator, click here:
Find your legislator
Brief Summary
It's Time to Start Solving Global Warming
Scientists have warned that unless we stop
emitting billions of tons of global warming pollution each year, we run the
risk of irreversibly damaging our climate systems. Global warming pollution
stems from our overdependence on fossil fuels to power our vehicles and power
plants, and Florida is the 5th
largest emitter of global warming pollution in the U.S.
The Stakes Are High for Florida
Our beautiful
coastline and tropical climate draw tens of thousands of visitors and new
residents, and help make the Sunshine
State a leading producer
of fresh fruit and vegetables, horticulture and livestock. However, severe
hurricanes, extended droughts and coastal flooding from rising sea levels could
seriously impact our quality of life, our environment and our economic
prosperity.
Solutions Can Start Here
The good news is that with clean solar power,
crop-based energy sources, new energy-efficiency technologies and
less-polluting cars, there’s plenty that Florida
can do to reduce global warming pollution and provide a welcome boost to our
economy at the same time.
Florida’s has vast untapped reserves of energy efficiency and solar power. By harnessing these resouces, and building on the work of cutting edge
research facilities like the Florida Solar Energy
Center and Florida
State University’s
Center for Advanced Power Systems, we can make Florida a leader in the clean energy economy.
A Global Warming Plan for Florida
Environment Florida
is working with Florida’s
elected officials and others to develop
a long-term plan to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050, which is what
scientist say we must do to prevent the worst effects of global warming.
Specifically, the plan to meet our global warming targets
must:
- Set a
clean energy standard, ensuring that we maximize our use of clean solar and wind power;
- Make energy efficiency the first option for meeting new energy needs, and update energy efficiency standards for appliances, homes and commercial
buildings; and
- Get
clean, efficient vehicles on the road and increase mass transit options.
