Why Clean Energy is an Easy Win for Mayors
With increasing technology, a more supportive public, and a recognition of the growing challenges and opportunities of climate change, mayors throughout the US are on the constant lookout for tested and proven climate solutions. Fortunately, recent agreements from the COP21-Climate Talks, and the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan provide a framework for implemented climate solutions—drastically increasing the climate action toolkit of cities and communities.
The clean energy transition presents a clear path for action, and can be tailored specifically to a state, city or community’s unique circumstances and needs. Whether a community invests in community solar for residents in urban areas, or provides incentives for rooftop-solar, mandating utilities increase wind and hydro power, or beef-up energy efficiency standards for buildings—all of these are options that should be considered.
Fortunately, investments in clean energy are political and economic winners. Savings on electricity bills puts more money in the pockets of families and business owners, the health benefits of cleaner communities cuts preventable diseases and makes cities better places to live, and better transportation infrastructure cuts commutes and congestion—decreasing time spent in the car and increasing time spent with families or enjoying one’s community. To achieve these benefits, mayors must act. Find out what you can do by visiting Path to Positive Communities!
Clean energy is win-win for the US
By Tim Radford | Climate News Network | March 13, 2016
Scientists have worked out how the US could save as many as 300,000 lives by 2030, and get a tenfold return on its investments at the same time.
It’s simple. All the nation has to do is what it promised to do at the Paris climate conference last December − launch clean energy and transport policies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds or more, and pursue the international goal of keeping global warming to below 2°C.
Drew Shindell, professor of climate sciences at Duke University, North Carolina, and colleagues report in Nature Climate Change that the climate policies agreed by 195 nations at the latest UN summit on climate change deliver a winning scenario for the most powerful nation on Earth.
If the US pursued the switch to electric cars and renewable energy, hundreds of thousands of premature deaths could be prevented − not just by containing global warming and limiting the extent of climate change, but by the consequent reduction in soot, aerosols and ozone, all of which are pollutants with consequences for health.