None The Nature Conservancy in Vermont Press Releases Search All Press Releases Emily Boedecker (802) 229-4425 x 112 eboedecker@tnc.org

The Nature Conservancy Applauds Gov. Douglas for
Joining Historic Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to Combat Climate Change

Montpelier, VT—20 December 2005—The Nature Conservancy applauds the decision by Governor Douglas that Vermont has signed onto the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a historic multi-state agreement that takes great strides toward reducing carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.

“We congratulate the leadership of Gov. Douglas for brokering this landmark deal with other states in the Northeast,” said Robert Klein, director of Vermont chapter of The Nature Conservancy. “This is a tremendous first step that sets an important precedent for future climate change policies across the United States and internationally.”

RGGI sets an exemplary precedent to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants using a market-based system at little to no cost to electricity consumers.  In fact, this new regional climate accord would improve energy efficiency and could save the typical residential customer about $50 per year, according to analysis sponsored by nine Northeast states.

The initiative will place caps on carbon dioxide emissions from electric generation facilities and allow trading of emission reductions allowances to meet those caps. By turning emission reductions into a marketable asset, RGGI creates incentives for companies to invest in emission reduction technologies and gives businesses the flexibility to meet emission reduction goals at the lowest costs.
 
“We look forward to working with Governor Douglas to make this historic Northeast climate change program successful,” said Robert Klein. “Through this initiative, the Northeast will be leading our nation in taking a substantial leap forward to reduce global warming emissions.”

Over the past 50 years, The Nature Conservancy has invested billions of dollars in nature conservation in Vermont and around the globe.  But these investments, as well as those of the federal government and private land owners, are in jeopardy because of climate change.  For example, the distribution of native tree species like black spruce, larch, sugar maple and birch will change as heat-trapping gasses accumulate in the atmosphere and cause severe changes in local weather patterns. As temperatures warm the elevation of tree line will rise and over run the few fragile alpine communities that exist on the highest peaks in Vermont.

Local Effects
 
Recent studies of climate change in the Northeast by the U.S. Global Change Research Program and University of New Hampshire’s Climate Change Research Center have found:
 
Rising Temperatures - Over the last 100 years average temperatures in the Northeast have risen 1.8°F. The most dramatic rise can be seen in winter temperatures over the last 30 years which have risen 4.4°F. 
 
Effects on Sugaring - Records over the last century suggest that nighttime temperatures will rise faster than daytime temperatures. For maple sap to flow the nighttime temperature must drop below 25°F. The maple industry in Vermont employs 4,000 seasonal workers with revenue of $105 million annually.
 
Reduced snowfall - At various weather stations across Vermont snowfall has decreased between 10% and 39% since 1971. The decrease in snow has important impacts for winter tourism, potentially shortening the ski season, increasing the need to manufacture snow or promoting alternative activities to attract visitors.
 
Forest Impact - By the end of the 21st century the optimal range for some of Vermont's tree species could have moved northward in the range of 100 to 300 miles. The regions major forest types will be replaced by southern forest types and maples will occur only on isolated high elevation sites.
 
Lake Champlain - Records of ice-in and ice-out on Lake Champlain have been kept for 186 years. For 31 of these years the Lake has not frozen over, and almost half of these events have occurred since 1970.

“This program will serve as a catalyst for additional regional and national action which is critical to reducing heat-trapping emissions and minimizing the threats that climate change poses to the people, businesses and ecosystems in Vermont and across the country,” said Robert Klein.

UNH's Climate Change Research Center finds that human activity is the primary source of pollution that is likely causing the temperature of the atmosphere to rise. By changing specific policies and behaviors we have an opportunity to slow the rising temperatures and restore balance to the ecological systems our health depends on.