Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate Reaction to the 2015 Colorado Climate Action Plan
Fort Collins, CO – Member organizations of the Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate (CCLC) were disappointed to learn that the 2015 Colorado Climate Plan, which was released today by the Hickenlooper Administration, makes only cursory reference to the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals established by the Ritter Administration. The Plan does not acknowledge that the State is currently falling far short of achieving those goals.
The CCLC is also concerned that the goals adopted by the Ritter Administration – which have seemingly been abandoned by the Hickenlooper Administration – are inadequate to meet the responsibility of our State to help avert catastrophic global climate change. Given the widespread agreement among climate scientists that a global temperature rise of more than 1.5° to 2.0° C (2.7° to 3.6° F) over the mid-19th Century average would lead to a climate catastrophe, the CCLC proposes that the State of Colorado adopt the following new climate goal statement:
“To help secure a future in which the environment, culture, and economy of Colorado are not further irrevocably damaged by climate change, the State shall develop and adopt annual greenhouse gas emissions goals that are supportive of limiting the global average temperature rise to 1.5° C (2.7° F) or less by the end of this century, and which shall include achievement of carbon neutrality by 2030. These goals shall be informed by the best available science, as well as by the need for an equitable allocation of our remaining carbon budget among all the people of the planet. Building on past efforts, the State shall also develop and adopt a comprehensive, multi-sector plan to achieve the new goals, in addition to accounting measures to validate annual progress toward them.”
Due to the urgency of addressing global climate change, we must do far more than is contemplated by the recently released 2015 Colorado Climate Plan. Adoption of the above goal statement, followed by the creation of a plan for developing, achieving, and monitoring progress toward reaching the annual goals called for, is essential if Colorado is to assume a leadership role in responding to the climate crisis.
Member organizations of the CCLC include:
1. 350 Colorado
3. Colorado Chapter, Global Catholic Climate Movement
4. Colorado Interfaith Power and Light
5. Colorado Renewable Energy Society
6. Community for Sustainable Energy
7. Denver Catholic Network
11. Fort Collins Sustainability Group
13. Our Children’s Trust Colorado
14. Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center
15. San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council
16. Sustainable Revolution Longmont
For further information, please contact Kevin Cross of the Fort Collins Sustainability Group at info@fccan.org or 970-419-8944.