Task Force Says Efforts To Curb Global Warming Will Create Huge Economic Benefits For NC

WHAT:
Business leaders hold press conference to announce the recommendations of the North Carolina Climate Stewardship Task Force, which spent a year studying the impacts of global warming on the state.  The Task Force determined that North Carolina can tap huge economic opportunities if it prepares now for a lower carbon economy.  The Task Force believes its recommendations will serve as a valuable resource for North Carolina ‘s new Global Warming Commission, which was established by the recently passed NC Global Warming Act.

WHEN:
Wednesday, September 28, 2005, 1:30 PM EST

WHO:
Simon Rich, former CEO of Louis Dreyfus Holding Company and Task Force member, Edenton
Bob Perkowitz, president of Paradigm Management and Task Force member, Charlotte
Tim Toben, CEO of Carolina Green Energy Corporation, Chapel Hill
Rep. Pricey Taylor Harrison, N.C. House of Representatives, Greensboro
Michael Shore , Senior Air Policy Analyst, Environmental Defense

How:
Dial 1-800-374-1178 and enter conference code 919-881-2604 #.

CONTACT:
Georgette Shepherd, NC Communications Director, Environmental Defense, 919-881-2927

BACKGROUND:
Significant attention has been devoted to the threat of global warming, but little attention has been given to the opportunities presented by reducing carbon dioxide, the most prolific global warming pollutant.  In the summer of 2004, the North Carolina office of Environmental Defense convened the North Carolina Climate Stewardship Task Force — a bipartisan committee of scientists, business leaders, health care professionals and religious leaders — to study the impact of global warming.  The Task Force reviewed threats and opportunities for the state and reached a somewhat startling conclusion: addressing global warming presents a huge economic opportunity for North Carolina .  Key sectors of the North Carolina economy stand to earn billions of dollars and create tens of thousands of jobs.

The marketplace resulting from efforts to reduce carbon emissions is expected to develop into one of the world’s largest commodity markets.  The Task Force says North Carolina is well positioned to gain substantial economic benefit by taking a leadership position in this emerging carbon marketplace.  Its report — “Economic Opportunity in Addressing Global Warming: The silver lining for North Carolina in a lower carbon economy” — issues specific recommendations, such as setting a carbon reduction goal, developing an action plan to position the state to benefit economically, and increasing the state’s energy independence.

For a copy of the report, contact Georgette Shepherd, gshepherd@environmentaldefense.org, 919-881-2927.