Work Heats Up on Climate Change Case
In January, Law Center Staff Attorney Bruce Frederick overcame strong industry opposition to convince the NM Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) to grant a hearing on reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. On behalf of our client, New Energy Economy, we are petitioning the Board to adopt new regulations that would dramatically reduce global warming pollution over the next decade.
“The science is clear that global warming is underway, and we must take immediate action,” says Dr. John Fogarty, Executive Director for New Energy Economy.
Photo courtesy Ossy Werner.
We based the petition on the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a scientific entity composed of more than 1,200 international scientists. The Panel has concluded that developed nations must reduce global warming pollution by at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 to avoid catastrophic changes.
If we are successful in our efforts, New Mexico will lead the nation with the most significant and strongest regulations in the United States.
Other states, including California, Washington, and Massachusetts, have adopted legislation to reduce emissions in their states, but all targets thus far fall short of what scientists say is necessary to protect the planet from dangerous climate change. A hearing before the EIB will be held in April; if we succeed, a hearing on the merits of the petition will be scheduled in front of the EIB in August.
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This chart was developed by New Energy Economy using data compiled the New Mexico Climate Change Advisory Group. It gives a sector-by-sector breakout of how New Mexico can reduce its carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.