FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jerry Karnas, Environmental Defense, 941-587-1803
Tony Kreindler, Environmental Defense, 202-210-5791
(Washington – July 11, 2007) Environmental Defense today applauded bold action by Florida Governor Charlie Crist to cap greenhouse gas pollution and direct state agencies to take immediate action to reduce emissions through tighter auto efficiency standards and energy efficiency measures.
“This is what leadership is all about,” said Environmental Defense President Fred Krupp. “Charlie Crist understands that the risks of climate change are great but the opportunities for action are greater, for Florida and the entire country.”
Florida, a politically crucial state in the 2008 election and one of largest economies in the nation, becomes the first state in the Southeast to adopt a greenhouse gas emissions cap. Crist will detail his plans for reducing global warming pollution through a series of executive orders this week at the Florida Summit on Global Climate Change in Miami. The Executive Orders are expected to set greenhouse gas emission reduction targets that will bring statewide emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by the middle of this century, which is consistent with the reductions most scientists say the U.S. must achieve nationally to help avoid the worst consequences of climate change.
Those consequences – rising sea levels, drought, and stronger storms – could have particularly severe impacts on Florida’s natural resources and economy.
The executive orders also are expected to direct state agencies to implement the clean cars standard adopted by California and 11 other states, limit emissions from electric utilities, set efficiency standards for buildings and appliances, and require a percentage of power generation to come from renewable energy sources.
“Governor Crist has hit a grand slam, putting Florida on the map as a true leader on global warming,” said Jerry Karnas, Florida climate project director at Environmental Defense. “We look forward to working with Governor Crist and leaders from across the state to move them forward and make the state a role model for the country.”
The governor’s announcement comes close on the heels of two other states – Hawaii and New Jersey – enacting their own tough statewide emissions caps. Seventeen others have adopted or are working on greenhouse gas emissions limits, and state leaders from across the country have said they must take steps now absent federal action.
“These states’ actions are critical, but they can only go so far. It’s time for Congress to build on their efforts with a national emissions cap – we have a window of opportunity for action, but it won’t stay open forever,” Krupp said.
Joining Governor Crist in Miami on Friday at the Summit will be California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the first to sign a statewide emissions cap for greenhouse gases. Environmental Defense is the lead sponsor of the Florida Summit on Global Climate Change.
