As the new home of Florida PIRG's environmental work,
Environment Florida can be contacted with any questions regarding this news release.
TAMPA—Standing
in front of a 20-foot, inflated model of the earth in Vinoy Park today,
the Florida Public Interest Research Group (Florida PIRG) called for
action to reduce global warming pollution from current levels within 10
years. The event was part of a nationwide tour.
“Global
warming is a big threat to the Tampa Bay area, but we can protect our
children and future generations by using common sense solutions to
substantially reduce global warming pollution,” said Mark Kustelski,
Florida PIRG’s Tampa Bay Citizen Outreach Director.
2005 was the warmest year ever recorded, and the early effects of global warming are evident across the U.S. and worldwide.
“The
stakes are particularly 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,” said Kustelski.
In
the absence of mandatory federal limits on global warming pollution,
Florida’s global warming emissions are on the rise. Florida is the 3rd
largest emitter of global warming pollution in the U.S., and the U.S.
Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that U.S. global
warming pollution will increase another 46 percent over the next 20
years. Power plants and cars and SUVs are the largest sources of global
warming pollution in Florida.
To
reduce global warming pollution, the Florida can use clean solar power,
crop-based energy sources, new energy-efficiency technologies and
less-polluting cars. These are “win-win solutions,” according to
Kustelski, because they also will cut our dependence on oil, reduce air
pollution, and protect pristine places from oil drilling.
“Unfortunately,
oil companies – led by ExxonMobil – automakers, and most electric
utilities continue to fight common sense solutions to global warming”,
Kustelski pointed out. “For instance, ExxonMobil has given at least $15
million since 1998 to groups working to confuse the public about the
broad scientific consensus on the causes of and solutions to global
warming.”
“Tampa
Bay-area Congressional members like Rep. Young, Rep. Davis, and Rep.
Putnam should heed the science and support reducing global warming
pollution from today’s levels within 10 years, by 15% by 2020, and by
80% by 2050,” said Kustelski.
