Fighting Global Warming
Too much of our energy comes from dirty sources that harm our environment. But by tapping the power of the sun and wind, and using less energy in the first place, we can repower our lives with clean energy that doesn’t pollute and never runs out.
Global warming: A growing threat
More and more Washingtonians are concerned about what global warming will mean for the health and well-being of future generations. Environment Washington is working within the state and at the federal level to reduce global warming pollution by at least 35% by 2020.
Environment Washington has been instrumental in passing global warming solutions at the state level, including statewide limits on global warming pollution, global warming emission standards for cars, and regional limits on global warming emissions from power plants in the Northwest.
At the same time, we have been building support for strong federal action on global warming. As part of a comprehensive plan to end our addiction to oil, Environment Washington is working to end taxpayer subsidies to oil companies. These billion dollar industries should have to pay their fair share for the pollution they cause, not receive financial incentives to continue polluting.
With more wind and solar, we can move to 100% clean energy
We are surrounded by clean energy options — the power of the sun, the movement of wind and waves, the heat of the earth, even the energy leaking from drafty windows in our homes and businesses. By using energy more efficiently and tapping our vast renewable energy resources, we can move to 100% clean energy that doesn’t pollute and never runs out.
Efficient buildings will spur energy savings
Meanwhile, we can make more of the energy we do use by enacting common-sense efficiency measures. Right now, Washington's homes are like cars that only get 10 miles to the gallon. Buildings consume 40% of our energy, and much of that energy is literally flying out the window rather than heating or cooling our homes and businesses. What’s worse, energy-wasting buildings are responsible for nearly half of greenhouse gas emissions nationwide.
Millions of Washingtonians are already weather-stripping doors and windows, insulating attics and making their homes more energy efficient and thus healthier, more comfortable and less costly to heat and cool.
If everyone makes these small changes, they can really add up — to 334 million fewer metric tons of global warming pollution emitted each year nationwide, the equivalent of taking 65.5 million cars off the road. The average family could save up to $400 on their utility bills.
Our sister organization, Environment Washington Research & Policy Center, has created an online guide to help you save fuel and save money. Visit “Plug Into Clean Energy,” for tips on how to give your home an efficiency upgrade.
Key Facts
- Environment Washington is working to cut global warming pollution 35 percent by 2035.
- From 2010 to 2011, jobs in the solar sector grew 10 times faster than the rest of the economy.
- By making our homes, businesses and other buildings just 20% more efficient, we could save enough energy each year to power almost 100 million homes.
- Enough wind blows in just four states—Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota—to supply all the electricity that America uses in a year.