Eliminate Carbon Emissions by 2050
From bomb cyclones to 70 degree days in January and February, it should be more than clear that our climate is changing in alarming ways. Globally, 2017 was the second hottest year on record, trailing only 2016.
Global Warming is caused by the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released by the burning of fossil fuels. To keep global temperature increases to 3.8 degrees Fahrenheit or less, the goal of the Paris Accords, will require eliminating the use of fossil fuels by 2050 or sooner.
Doing so will allow us to avoid the most dire consequences of a warming planet - rising seas that will flood Boston, Miami, New York and other coastal cities, once-in-a-century storms that cause tens of billions in damage becoming commonplace, severe droughts that disrupt food production and make water scarce, and so much more.
If we do not rise to the challenge, our children and grandchildren face a highly uncertain future.
Newton's Opportunity to Slow Global Warming
Solving global warming will preserve our way of life for our children and grandchildren. If that isn't enough of an incentive, the other benefits of converting to a zero-carbon economy make it a worthwhile goal on their own.
Benefits for Our Health
Pollution from burning fossil fuels has been proven by many scientific studies to cause cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, premature births, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and more. Phasing out fossil fuels will save lives and billions in health care costs. A recent Harvard Study of just one piece of legislation to fight global warming currently under consideration at the State House, measured the benefits for Massachusetts at $2.9B in healthcare cost savings and 340 lives. Based on population, Newton's share of those benefits comes to $38M and 4.5 lives.
Benefits for Our Economy
Because Massachusetts does not produce any oil, gas, or coal, every dollar we spend on fossil fuels, billions each year, leaves the state and creates jobs elsewhere. However, renewable energy creates jobs right here at home. Already, there are over 100,000 clean energy jobs in Massachusetts. Furthermore, since 2012, over $4B has been invested in Massachusetts-based clean technology companies, creating thousands of more high paying jobs.
Benefits for Our Security
The countries that are the leaders in oil production - Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran - are the same countries that pose the greatest risk to our security. They threaten our democracy and sponsor terrorism. Reducing oil consumption robs them of revenue that they could otherwise spend in ways that cause us harm.