New York State has promised to eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 according to New York Times. It will achieve this by generating all its electricity from carbon-free sources, the news page reports. New York’s brave response to climate change already has approval of its legislators. Now it just needs to get on with the job.
New York’s Brave Response to Carbon Pollution
New York State intends to see an end to “gas-guzzling cars, oil-burning heaters and furnaces” New York Times adds. That’s because Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and legislative leaders have set ambitious targets.
Their Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act will lower the state’s carbon footprint to 85% below 1990 levels. It will achieve the remaining 15% by 2050 by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When New York’s brave response reaches that point, it will have joined the net-zero economy. Climatologists say this is essential to slow global warming.
How New York’s Bill Trumps Other State Efforts
A number of other U.S. states have thrown their hats into the ring in the battle against climate change. However New York’s response outdoes these by far. In fact we believe it is one of the most ambitious plans anywhere in the world.
However, New York State has a way to go to changing its civic culture. It only managed to reduce its emissions by 8% percent between 1990 and 2015 per its own Greenhouse Gas Report. “New Yorkers are going to pay a lot for their electricity because of this bill,” says Gavin Donohue. Gavin is the president of the Independent Power Producers of New York who supply 75% of the electricity.
Those independent producers are also going to have to change the way they do things. That’s because New York State plans to get 70% of its electricity from renewables by 2030.
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