Greenpeace & Senator Sanders: How to Solve Global Warming for Half the Cost and Twice the Jobs …

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/press-center/releases2/blueprint-cuts-u-s-co2-pollut

Greenpeace & Senator Sanders: How to Solve Global Warming for Half the Cost and Twice the Jobs as Dirty Energy

March 11, 2009

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Greenpeace, the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC), and Dr. Joseph Romm of the Center for American Progress today released a report commissioned from the German Aerospace Center (the German equivalent of NASA) that shows how the United States can meet the energy needs of a growing economy and achieve science-based cuts in global warming pollution – without nuclear power or coal. The report, entitled “Energy evolution,” is co-authored by Greenpeace and EREC and includes a foreword by Dr. R.K. Pachauri, chairman of the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The report finds that off-the-shelf clean energy technology can cut U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels by at least 23 percent from current levels by 2020 and 85 percent by 2050 (equal to a 12 percent cut by 2020 and an 83 percent cut by 2050 from 1990 levels) – at half the cost and double the job-creation of what it would take to meet U.S. energy needs with dirty energy sources.

Throughout, the study makes conservative assumptions to ensure the real-world viability of the scenario. The report assumes that only currently available technologies will be used and no appliances or power plants will be retired prematurely, and adopts the same projections for population and economic growth included in the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook.

“Every day that we don’t deal with the crisis of global warming, it’s only going to get worse, it’s only going to get more costly, there’s only going to be more damage to our environment,” Sanders said. “This report shows that we can address climate change while improving our economy. The time is now to move forward aggressively on energy efficiency and creating new sustainable energy and millions of good-paying jobs in the process.”

Based on the IPCC’s findings, developed countries as a group must reduce emissions by at least 25-40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 to minimize the risk of the worst impacts of global warming. In addition to the domestic emissions reductions in the energy sector, the Energy evolution provides guidance on how the United States can achieve the IPCC’s targets by financing clean technology in the developing world.

…

http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/usa/press-center/reports4/energy-r-evolution-a-sustain.pdf">Download the report

[Ghost Dog]

1. step one: use energy smarter

The fastest, cheapest, and most effective way to cut global warming
emissions is to simply reduce energy use. By deploying currently
available energy efficiency technologies, the U.S. can dramatically
cut global warming emissions while at the same time saving
consumers and businesses money. Additionally, these savings act like
a massive economy-wide tax cut, stimulating further economic
growth and job creation

For example, consider the tremendous potential for emission
reductions through energy efficiency in home heating and cooling,
which accounts for almost half of home energy use.10 Drafty
windows, poor insulation, and other air leaks waste vast amounts of
energy. In fact, the Department of Energy’s home weatherization
program cuts energy use for heating and cooling by an average of
30 percent per home.11 By expanding this program nationwide, the
U.S. could cut household energy use by 30 percent nationally and
save $1.50 for every dollar invested. Similarly dramatic
improvements are currently available from super-efficient air
conditioners, water heaters, and appliances.

/... download the report (52-page .pdf)

[bananas]

2. Announced by Joe Romm on climateprogress.org a few days ago.

I didn't see this, thanks for posting.

http://climateprogress.org/2009/03/09/press-breakfast-greenpeace/

Media advisory: Press breakfast Wed. March 11 with Sen. Sanders, Greenpeace, and me in DC

***Wednesday, March 11TH, 9:00 am***

Greenpeace Report: How to Solve Global Warming for Half the Cost and Twice the Jobs as Dirty Energy

Blueprint Cuts U.S. Energy Pollution 85% by 2050 without Nuclear Power or Coal

<snip>

[excess_3]

3. better solution --> the electric car .n/t