The state has released draft recommendations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and prepping for the effects of climate change, as well as figuring out how to get residents involved.
Here’s the issue, according to the 88-page carbon sources and reductions document:
(T)he recommendations from the (Climate Advisory Team) lay out a comprehensive approach for Washington to rise to the real and urgent threat of global warming, and to seize the opportunity to build a healthier and more prosperous future.
The state in 2005 produced 94.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, though plants and trees sucked up some of that, leaving us with net emissions of 64.8 million metric tons. Plans for reducing CO2 include setting binding emissions limits, tracking and reporting releases, investing in clean energy jobs and development, increased energy efficiency and reducing driving with road tolls and the like.
That’s all swell, but many critics of climate change prevention want to know: WHAT’S IT GOING TO COST?! Turns out you’ve really got to dig to get that answer.
Back in Table 4: Summary of Anticipated (Greenhouse gas) Savings and Costs (or Cost Savings) you find totals for these actions, which are broken down in more detail in following tables. I’m still figuring out how they get to this conclusion, but the bottom line number they come up with is a savings of $949 million over the next 13 years.
Unfortunately, Department of Ecology staff couldn’t explain the figure either (shouldn’t someone there understand this — it’s a pretty important detail…). They referred me to a consultant who’s not available over the holiday.
Somewhat more clear cut are the predictions about what the Pacific Northwest is going to look like in a warmer world. Check out the 94-page paper reviewing expected changes, including:
* The range of possible changes in rainfall by 2020: -14 to +23 percent in winter, -30 to +13 percent in summer
* Decrease in Douglas fir productivity statewide
* Increased agricultural diseases
* Increased stress for salmon because of warmer water temperatures
* More beach erosion and landslides
It goes on to discuss ways to adapt to these changes to lessen their sting.
Comments on are due by Jan. 10 at 5 p.m.
Gov. Chris Gregoire started this thing with the formation of the Climate Advisory Team earlier this year. They were supposed to come up with recommendations for the Legislature to act on in early 2008, but that didn’t exactly happen. They will be finalizing the reports by February 2008, and then working to further flesh out these plans during the coming year.