Global warming pollution in Illinois increased by 22% between 1990 and 2004, according to an analysis of state fossil fuel consumption data released by Environment Illinois. Using data compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy, Environment Illinois's report examines trends in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption between 1990 and 2004, the most recent year for which state-by-state data are available.
Major findings of the report include:
• Illinois's carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption grew from 191.1 million metric tons to 233.8 million metric tons between 1990 and 2004, an increase of 22%. Illinois ranked 3rd nationwide for the largest absolute increase in carbon dioxide emissions over the 15 year period.
• Nationwide, emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel consumption increased by 18% between 1990 and 2004. Coal-fired power plants and the transportation sector-especially cars and SUVs-drove this emissions increase.
• In Illinois, carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants jumped by 64% between 1990 and 2004, rising from 55.7 million metric tons to 91.5 million metric tons. Illinois ranked 1st nationwide for the largest absolute increase in carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants over the 15 year period.
Governor Blagojevich set a state goal of reducing emission to 1990 levels by 2020. Environment Illinois released its global warming Blueprint for Action, which calculated that we could achieve a 25% reduction in global warming pollution from Illinois sources by 2025 using a combination of clean car standards, renewable energy, and energy efficiency and moving away from the old, dirty coal, gas and oil infrastructure.
- Illinois
- Call or write Governor Blagojevich and Lt. Governor Pat Quinn
Urge them to take a stronger leadership role in reducing global warming in Illinois to reverse the terrible record in our state on global warming pollution over the past sixteen years. We need their strong support to establish Illinois as a leader in this very critical area. Specifically we need their leadership in the following areas:
• Place a moratorium on the construction of new, conventional pulverized coal plants in Illinois.
• Strongly support the clean car legislation outlined below.
• Utilize the recently established multi-state greenhouse gas reduction program for a regional cap-and-trade policy and establish clean energy standards for corporations, utilities and refineries ensuring that we maximize our use of clean wind, solar and biomass power.
• Strongly support a bill that will be re-introduced in both the State House and Senate setting mandatory energy efficiency standards for furnaces, appliances and residential buildings.
• Establish a dedicated funding source for cost-effective energy efficiency investments.
Go to Governor Blagojevich's website, click on help and it will take to the addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for Governor Blagojevich and Lt. Governor Pat Quinn.
Send a copy of your letter to Representative Julie Hamos and Senator Jeff Schoenberg.
Illinois has the opportunity to lead the Midwest in ensuring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks will emit lower levels of global warming and other air pollutants while improving public health, and saving Illinois consumers' money at the pump. Write a letter today to your Illinois state representative and senator (Julie Hamos and Jeff Schoenberg) to support recently introduced legislation for Clean Cars in Illinois. Learn more about this legislation and send a pre-prepared e-mail to your state representative at:
- Nationally
Urge your Senators and Representatives and key leaders in Congress to co-sponsor important global warming legislation that will be decided on a vote in both Houses of Congress this spring. They are as follows: The Safe Climate Act, (H.R. 1590), introduced by Representative Henry Waxman (CA) in the House, and the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act (S. 309) , introduced by Senators Bernie Sanders (VT) and Barbara Boxer (CA) in the Senate, would limit global warming pollution to levels that current science says are needed to prevent the worst effects of global warming. The bills would freeze U.S. global warming emissions in 2010 and reduce emissions by about 15% by 2020 and by 80% by 2050. Go to the North Suburban Peace Initiative website nspipeace.org and click on global warming. You can send a prepared message to key elected officials on this important legislation.