MARYLAND

With record-high oil prices, Maryland is facing a slowing economy. Our reliance on coal and oil is contributing to global warming, which poses serious risks for the state. But if we act now, we can reverse the trend of climate change and boost our economy. With a $300 billion investment over ten years, the US economy will see 3.3 million new jobs and a $1.4 trillion GDP gain, along with $284 billion in net energy cost savings. (i)

One of the major risks that Maryland faces is loss of ecosystems. If sea level rises 2 feet by 2100 (the very minimum if climate change goes unaddressed), more than 167,000 acres of undeveloped land will be lost, 58% of the beaches along the coast will be lost, and more Chesapeake Bay islands will disappear! The hazards that global warming poses for the people of Maryland should not be overlooked either. An air temperature increase of three degrees overall could increase the annual amount of people killed from heat-related causes by 50%, from 85 to 130! (ii)

Our dependence on fossil fuels lies at the heart of these problems. Maryland is currently too dependent on polluting fossil fuels, such as coal, for energy. (iii)

With an aggressive strategy, we can ensure that Maryland’s power comes from clean and green sources!

We must make the switch to a clean-energy future now, and Maryland has the capability to generate 27% of its energy needs through renewable sources! (iv)

Maryland is on track to combat global warming. On April 24, 2007, Governor Martin O’Malley signed Senate Bill 595, which expanded Maryland’s existing renewable portfolio standard to require that 20 percent of the state’s electricity supply come from solar sources by 2022, in addition to 7.5 percent from other renewable sources by the same date. (v)

But this is only the first step; much more needs to be done in the fight against climate change, and we cannot do it without effective leadership.

SOURCES:

i. http://www.apolloalliance.org/downloads/resources_ApolloReport_022404_122748.pdf

ii. http://www.nextgenerationearth.org/usstates/statelist/

iii. http://getenergyactive.org/fuel/state.htm

iv. http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/clean_energy/Plugging_In_Renewable_Energy.pdf

v. http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_states/rps.cfm