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GUEST COLUMN |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Bill Thomas |
State Rep. Eugene DePasquale |
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ATTENTION EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR: Please consider publishing the following guest column by state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, on the OP-ED or Guest Column page of your newspaper. Please use the contact information above for questions or confirmation. Thank you for your consideration.
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Monday, Feb. 5, 2007
Global Warming: What it means for you, me and all of Pennsylvania
By state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York
Theodore Roosevelt, our nation’s first conservationist president, once said: “Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.” His encouragement of Americans to be conscious of the environment and preserve our natural resources is just as important now as it was over 100 years ago. Today, we are faced with the issue of global warming, an environmental challenge that must be confronted.
Greenhouse emissions, climate change and melting polar ice caps are worldwide issues that must be addressed by the world community. But global warming impacts us on a local level, as well.
Until recently, the federal government has been absent in responding to or even mentioning this generation’s most critical environmental issue. As a result, state and local governments have taken it upon themselves to do what they can, where they can, to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate extreme changes in climate. The impact of global warming has become more localized as states begin to recognize the effect it can have on local economies and health-care systems.
For Pennsylvania, global warming can have immediate negative results. As temperatures rise, state industries would be affected. Severe droughts could cripple the farming and agricultural industries. We have seen consecutive years where drought warnings and advisories have led to water conservation, and in the past our farmers have taken a hit from the increasingly hot and dry weather. Droughts also increase the occurrence of forest and brush fires, which are a major concern for many residents across the state.
Aside from farming and agriculture, the state’s recreational and tourism industries could feel the bite from global warming. Skiing and other snow-based outdoor sports and activities would find it difficult to remain in business. With this year already seeing one of the latest snowfalls in history, many ski resorts are still unable to open 100 percent of their lifts and slopes. As average global temperatures continue to increase year after year, the threat to our skiing industry would only increase over time.
In addition, the Commonwealth’s cold water fisheries are threatened by the increases brought by climate change and global warming. It’s not an exaggeration to say that within the next 50 years, the state could no longer have any trout in its streams because of the increase in water temperatures. Cold-water fish such as trout thrive in streams with temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees.
Already, in many areas of Pennsylvania, fish are living in water temperatures at the upper end of that spectrum. Even the slightest increase in global temperatures could have dire results for our state’s economy in terms of jobs, recreation and regional culture.
In simple terms, according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, recreational fishing alone adds an estimated $1.35 billion a year to the state’s economy. It supports nearly 17,000 jobs, and fishing contributes nearly $50 million a year to the state’s General Fund in the form of sales and income taxes.
Beyond economics, global warming threatens one of the state’s most important resource – its people. Higher average temperatures will mean more health-related illnesses, including the spread of diseases such as the West Nile virus. Also, more intense heat waves pose immediate risks of heat stroke and dehydration, which are especially dangerous to our elderly and poorer populations.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the expected rise in average summer temperatures of three to 10 degrees by the year 2100 would result in about twice as many heat-related deaths – nearly 300 per year – in Pennsylvania’s two largest cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
What can we do to prevent global warming from truly taking hold here in Pennsylvania?
I have been active in supporting and co-sponsoring measures that would address the global warming issue here at home. Last month I participated in a joint House/Senate bipartisan news conference held to unveil legislation to address the immediate concerns regarding global warming. The bill I co-sponsored (H.B. 110) will look to inventory the greenhouse gas emissions of various economic sectors in the state; create a voluntary greenhouse gas registry; develop and publish a global warming impact statement for Pennsylvania; and develop an action plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
In addition, Gov. Rendell has announced new proposals in the area of renewable energy and energy conservation. One of my top priorities as the deputy secretary of economic development within the Department of Environmental Protection was to find ways to reduce the state’s dependence on foreign oil and support economically sound energy conservation efforts.
I have introduced legislation that would encourage the purchase of high-mileage vehicles, such as hybrids and alternative fuel cars, by providing exemptions on the state sales tax. I also support legislation that would provide state incentives for so-called “green” buildings and sales tax breaks on the purchase of energy efficient appliances. I will also pursue other measures that look to strike a balance between growing our economy and cleaning our environment. As the lead recruiter within DEP that helped Pennsylvania land the world’s largest wind energy firm, I know this is possible.
Currently, Pennsylvania produces about 1 percent of the world's man-made greenhouse gases. As one of this nation's biggest producers of greenhouse gases, Pennsylvania has an obligation to its citizens to find ways to reduce its emissions. We must do our part to improve the chances that our future and our children’s future will not fulfill the dire predictions many now make.
It is time for communities in Pennsylvania to, as Teddy Roosevelt said, “Do what they can, with what they’ve got, where they are.”
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