This week, the following states, along with the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba, announced the formation of the cross-border Western Climate Initiative, in which the member states and provinces agree to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent before the year 2020:
Many environmentalists are pointing out that the 15 percent reduction is just a fraction of what will be necessary to prevent catastrophic effects from global warming. However, other organizations are recognizing this agreement as a good first step until stronger accords can be reached.
The Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club notes that this legislation, “will require Utah to adopt tougher tailpipe emission standards similar to California’s, which could help tremendously towards improved air quality,” and that 95 of Utah’s electricity is provided by one of the dirtiest sources available: Coal.
Providing some more legal pressure for a clean up of the energy industry in western states like Utah, which spew pollution that the prevailing winds take to most of the rest of the United States, is indeed something worth recognition. However, the pressure from activists seeking clean air and action to confront the growing threat of global warming needs to remain high as well.
