“Climate Change – An Inconvenient Truth”

 John Blair of Valley Watch

Statistics supporting Climate Change:

• Coal-Fired Power Plants – Largest Carbon Dioxide emitters in the world.  Although we only need 1000 megawatts, this area’s coal-fired power plants produce 15,000 megawatts of energy.
• Land-based ice melting at Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheet is the real issue since it raises the sea level.
• Ten hottest years on record have been since early 1990s and the hottest year was 2005.
• Temperature & Carbon Dioxide concentrations have both been increasing since 1850s.
• US produces 20% of world’s Carbon Dioxide.
• Tri-state Carbon Dioxide Emitters – Rockport Power Plant - 16,837,252 ton annually & Duke Energy Gibson Plant – 19,247,465 ton annually.  Total for state of Indiana – 130,523,160 ton per year.
• Sacrifice Zone – Alcoa emitted 8,263,737 tons of toxic chemicals, AK Steel emitted 20,968,730 tons of toxic chemicals, and Gibson Power Plant emitted 13,003,537 tons of toxic chemicals in 2004.  The concentration of these chemicals was more than what exists in highly populated Los Angeles, CA. 

Actions to slow Climate Change:

• Require Zoning Ordinances that improve efficiency and ‘Green’ Buildings
• Co-generation improves Coal-Fired Power Plant performance.  Using the water vapor and waste heat in a greenhouse to produce vegetables.
• Wind Power is available in Northern IN as a viable resource. 
• Energy Star Appliances should be used as well as programmable thermostats.
• Improve Fuel Mileage Standards.  Japan, European Union, Australia, Canada, & China all have standards over 30 mpg.  Even CA has passed laws to increase standard to 35 mpg.  US needs to catch up.
• Conservation Ethic should be considered when making purchases. 
• League website (www.lwvswin.org) has a list of Green Living tips.
• Local libraries have numerous resources as well on global warming. 

Action Day:

·         Action to Stop Global Warming - March to Vectren to demand no more coal-fired power plants will occur on April 14^th at 4:00 at Four Freedoms on Riverside Drive.

(summary by Cathy Edrington)