This summer, Environment Illinois launched a new Global Warming Solutions campaign to secure state legislators’ support for a plan to reduce Illinois’ contribution to global warming.

The plan would require the state to reduce global warming pollution by 10 percent over the next 10 years, and 80 percent by 2050, and to use clean energy technologies like wind power, energy efficiency and clean car standards to achieve these goals.

“Scientists have sounded the alarm that we need to act fast to stop the worst impacts of global warming,” said Environment Illinois State Director Rebecca Stanfield. “We have the tools to make a huge impact right here in Illinois.”

By mid-August, 30 state legislators had endorsed the Global Warming Solutions pledge.

“With the absence of federal policies, there are many things we as a state can do, and I endorse a strong state program to curb global warming pollution,” said state Rep. Karen May (Highland Park), Chair of the House Environmental Health Committee.

On June 20, Environment Illinois released a report showing that Illinois is the nation’s sixth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide—the leading cause of global warming—and that our emissions are on the rise. At a press conference at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, our staff explained how solar power, transportation alternatives and energy efficiency could be implemented now to get our pollution under control.

“When you start to have hurricanes developing in the Gulf of Mexico in June, temperatures 10-14 degrees above normal in Illinois in January, less and less snow each year in the Midwest, and 19 of the warmest 20 years since 1880 occurring in the last 25 years, you begin to sit back and look at your weather maps differently,” said FOX 32 Meteorologist Rick DiMaio, who spoke at the event.

On July 18, Environment Illinois held an event with three state legislators at the home of William and Eleanor Revelle in Evanston. Mr. Revelle’s father, Professor Roger Revelle, was credited by former Vice President Al Gore with opening his eyes to global warming. The Revelles have cut their electricity use by 70 percent and their gas use by 60 percent using energy efficiency and solar technology.

“It’s discouraging and embarrassing that the federal government has not taken action. It’s time for state action and local action,” said state Rep. Elaine Nekritz (Des Plaines).

This fall Environment Illinois will continue to build support for the state global warming plan. We are bringing in experts from around the country to brief state legislators, releasing a guide to clean car technologies, and publishing a Global Warming Solutions Blueprint, documenting how clean energy technologies can cut global warming emissions by 10 percent over the next 10 years.