NORTH DAKOTA

As fuel and energy prices continue to soar, North Dakota’s economy is in trouble. Our dependence on non-renewable energy sources is also fueling global warming. The economic costs of unmitigated global warming and continued inaction are staggering. But, by investing in renewable energy and not only can we reverse the course of global warming, but also we can ensure a sustainable economic future. With a strong investment in clean energy over ten years, the US economy will see 3.3 million new jobs. (i)

As climate change brings earlier and warmer spring seasons, North Dakota’s agriculture industry will face new challenges. As stream and lake levels decrease during hotter summers, soil will begin to dry thereby increasing the need for irrigation from already depleted water sources. (ii)

The cause of these problems is our reliance on dirty fossil fuels. Today North Dakota produces more than 93% of its energy from dirty-burning coal. (iii)

We cannot wait any longer; we need a national commitment to clean, renewable energy that takes global warming head on while creating jobs.

Currently, North Dakota has the potential to supply more than 180 times the energy it needs from renewable sources. (iv)

What we need now is leadership to get us started.

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