In the absence of federal leadership on climate change, state and local governments have begun to fill the void.
In 2006, California adopted the nation’s toughest global warming law, requiring factories, utilities, refineries and other industrial sites to cut emissions to 1990 levels by 2020—an estimated reduction of 25 percent. Ten states on the East Coast have formed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to cap emissions from power plants, and 12 states have decided to regulate tailpipe emissions.
Earlier this year, the governors of five states—Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington—formed the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative to develop a regional reduction target and devise a market-based cap and trade program. Several other states have adopted climate action plans and are pursuing myriad strategies to reduce emissions. Pew’s investments played an important role in stimulating and advancing these initiatives.
In partnership with the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, the Pew Center on the States released issue briefs highlighting the science and impact of climate change, the technological solutions available, the role of business, and the array of diverse international, state and local actions currently underway.
The issue briefs included: Climate Change 101: State Action Report and Climate Change: Technological Solutions Report.
Oct 01, 2008 - When the Pew Center on Global Climate Change was established in 1998, global warming was hardly of great public concern. Ten years later, it tops the list of issues facing world leaders.
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Sep 02, 2008 - This paper presents the background and policy issues surrounding development of a commercial market for captured carbon dioxide (CO2).
Aug 29, 2008 - This report analyzes the Ohio-based industries and employment that might play a role in an Ohio market for exhaust-stream CO2.
Feb 25, 2008 - Adaptation planning at the local, state, and national levels can limit the damage caused by climate change.
Read: Summary View: Full Report (Adobe PDF)
Feb 25, 2008 - Report explains how a cap-and-trade program sets a clear limit on greenhouse gas emissions and minimizes the costs of achieving this target.
Sep 06, 2007 - Some like it hot. Even so, there’s widening interest in addressing the problem of global warming.
Oct 12, 2006 - Report highlights states' efforts as they respond to the challenges of implementing solutions to climate change.
Oct 12, 2006 - An overview of the report on the understanding of and response to global climate change.
Oct 12, 2006 - Overview of the most up-to-date scientific evidence on climate change.
Oct 12, 2006 - Report on technological solutions for mitigating effects of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Oct 12, 2006 - Report on response of the world's major economies to the problem of climate change.
Oct 12, 2006 - Report on how local governments are addressing climate change with their own solutions.
Oct 12, 2006 - A report focusing on the science and impacts of climate change, potential technological and business solutions and international, state and local action.
Oct 12, 2006 - Report on the new risks and opportunities presented to businesses by climate change.
May 01, 2006 - Whether humans are implicated in the observed warming of the planet, says an expert, "is an argument that is over." Now what?
Feb 01, 2004 - Toward a cleaner electric sector.
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