Florida Governor Charlie Crist’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change has released its remarkable Final Report. It puts the Sunshine State on the same side of the climate issue as that other sunny coastal state ruled by a Republican (see The savings from cutting California’s carbon “outweigh the costs”).
The Action Team finds that an aggressive set of strategies could reduce Florida greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 50% from 2005 levels by 2025 (see figure, click to enlarge).
At the same time, the Team finds these reductions, achieved through some 50 policy recommendations covering every aspect of the economy, would bring large economic and energy savings to the state:
The total net cost savings of all Action Team recommendations combined is more than $28 billion from 2009 to 2025. Additionally, the recommendations would increase Florida’s energy security by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels resulting in a total fuel savings of 53.5 billion gallons of petroleum, 200.2 million short tons of coal, and 6.394 billion ft.³ of natural gas during the period of 2009 through 2025.
The Action Team directly addresses the economic slowdown issue that the inactivists have been pointing to as a reason for delay. The Team makes clear it is on the side of those who understand the time to act is now:
The Action Team completes its charge during a time of economic uncertainty. While it may be assumed by some readers that the current economic environment would hamper Florida’s progress toward a low-carbon economy, the Action Team firmly believes that the current economic conditions precisely sharpen the “call to action” first issued by Governor Crist in 2007. Now is the time for strategic investment in Florida’s low-carbon energy infrastructure if we are to be successful in diversifying the state’s economy, creating new job opportunities, and positioning Florida’s “green tech” sector as an economic engine for growth.
That is an astonishingly thoughtful and forward-looking conclusion from a state that has never been a leader on clean energy the way, say, California has. Kudos to the entire team (list of members here), which was lead by Chairman Michael Sole, Secretary, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Vice-Chairman Rick Baker, Mayor, City of St. Petersburg.
Part 2 will look at some of the specific measures the Action Team proposes to achieve its deep, cost-effective GHG cuts.
For other reactions, go to SolveClimate and Grist and the St. Petersburg Times.
Related Posts:
- Must read IEA report, Part 1: Act now with clean energy or face 6°C warming. Cost is NOT high — media blows the story
- Energy efficiency is THE core climate solution, Part 1: The biggest low-carbon resource by far
- Must read McKinsey report shatters myths on cost of curbing climate change
- Global Warming Solution Studies Overestimate Costs, Underestimate Benefits
- McKinsey: Fighting climate change is affordable
- Absolute MUST Read IPCC Report: Debate over, further delay fatal, action not costly
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As both a Democrat and a Floridian, I have to admit being impressed with Crist. My greatest worry was that McCain would chose him as a running mate. Turned out not to be a problem . . .
As another Democrat and a Floridian, I agree. On the other hand, it would be great to see Mayor Rick Baker of St Pete, Vice-Chair of this committee, finally abandon his opposition to curbside recycling.
As a Floridian and a Democrat, I agree. On the other hand, it would also be nice if Mayor Rick Baker, Vice-Chair of the Action Team, abandoned his opposition to curbside recycling in St Petersburg.
I’m wondering if we’re seeing the initial stages of a new Republican Party?
One that casts away the extremes of racism, homophobia, and fundamental religion and takes a “business-like” approach to solving problems?
Could be a way back….