By CARL E. FEATHER – Staff Writer – cfeather@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

Ohio’s contribution to carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels increased by 10 percent from 1990 to 2007, according to a report released by Environment Ohio.

“Too Much Pollution: State and National Trends in Global Warming Emissions from 1990-2007” ranked Ohio as 4th in the nation for contributing the highest levels of pollution tied to global warming, said Amanda Moore, field organizer for Environment Ohio.

Nationally, the rate of growth was even higher — 19 percent, with power plants and vehicles accounting for the largest sources.

The study relied upon the most recent state-by-state data from the U.S. Department of Energy on fossil fuel consumption. Environment Ohio places the majority of the blame on how Ohioans get their electricity. In 2007, almost 90 percent of the state’s electricity was generated by coal plants.

Nationally, Ohio ranks second, behind Texas, for having the highest amount of emissions from coal-fired electricity generation.

The citizen-based environmental advocacy group used the report’s release as one more reason to gain public support for Senate Bill 1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, also known as the Kerry-Boxer bill. According to the Pew Center the bill’s goal is “to create clean energy jobs, promote energy independence, reduce global warming pollution, and transition to a clean energy economy.” The bill recently passed out of committee.

Recent surveys show public attitude is cooling on global warming, and with the enthusiasm of lawmakers to support legislation that would mandate a national transition to an economy that runs on renewable energy.

Environment Ohio also used the report’s release as an opportunity bring issues of national security and world poverty issues into the discussion of global warming. Retired Marine Sergeant Glenn Kunkel, an Akron native who represents Operation Free, said in a conference call that global climate changes will create additional challenges and responsibilities for the nation’s servicemen and women, who will be called upon to deal with the aftermath of devastation caused by climate-change. Starvation and political unrest in areas where agriculture is disrupted by climate change and human suffering resulting from an increase in severe weather are some of the scenarios he presented.

“The ripple effects are staggering, what it will cost,” he said.

Kunkel also pointed out that America’s dependence on foreign oil has, from a national security standpoint, the effect of putting dollars in the pockets of hostile nations that could harm America’s servicemen and women.

“The Kerry-Boxer bill is a small step forward, but it will pave the way to maintaining a more secure nation for us and keeping our servicemen and women out of harm’s way,” said Kunkel, who called the bill a “buffer” to help the nation make the transition away from fossil fuels.

Sister Paul Gonzalez, a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati, said in that same call that increased drought and disease will result around the globe if the United States does not make a major shift to how it powers its industries and homes. She said the world faces “catastrophic events” if we don’t switch from coal, oil and natural gas to wind, solar, bio-mass and other renewable energy sources.

Moore said that, closer to home, an Environment Ohio study showed that global warming will cost the state’s corn growers an additional $50 million annually due to the increase in pests and adverse weather resulting from climate change.

The report did not take into account the contribution of carbon dioxide from farming operations that rely heavily upon corn as a feedstock, Moore said. However, she said nationwide, 80 percent of the carbon dioxide added to the environment comes from burning fossil fuels.

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