Long Island is Leading the Way in Addressing the Global Warming Crisis
By Neal Lewis, Esq., executive director and Beth Fiteni, program director, Neighborhood Network

The debate over whether or not global warming is happening is now over. The international Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported in 2007 that "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal." They made this declaration in language designed to be as clear as possible in order to spark concerted and aggressive action. The IPCC was subsequently awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for "their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change."

    Meanwhile the moral dimensions of the problem are causing religious leaders from around the world to become environmental activists. "Global warming is one of the greatest moral issues of our time," wrote the Rev. Sally Bingham in a policy pronouncement delivered at a major conference of the Interfaith Power and Light Climate Change Campaign.

    So exactly what kind of action is needed? On what scale? And in what time frame?

    James Hanson, director of NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies, America's lead scientist on climate issues, has declared that this crisis requires a dramatic response. By Mr. Hansen's estimates, we need to reduce our current level of greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

    An 80% reduction target is daunting. It will require great changes in technology, policy, the economy, and personal lifestyles.

    Currently, America and China far and away lead the world in greenhouse gas emissions, and much of China’s industrial output is driven by American consumer demand. It is often pointed out that while Americans make up approximately 5% of the world's population, we generate more than 25% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Clearly, implementing clean energy solutions on an order of magnitude that is needed to transform the world's economies enough to slow global warming will require American leadership.

    Leadership on energy issues is exactly what has been lacking for much too long from government in Washington, D.C. When historians look back on this period of time, they are likely to note a fundamental failure of leadership from our federal officials on energy issues. For example, it is still part of our national policy to annually provide tens of billions of taxpayer dollars to oil companies (who are raking in record profits) to encourage fossil fuel drilling, while the incentives for clean energy initiatives remain extremely small. Any improvements in energy policy have been only incremental steps that will fall far short of meeting the challenge of reaching the 80% greenhouse gas reduction by mid-century that many climate scientists call for. To acknowledge this failure of leadership on energy issues is by no means a partisan observation; this has been a consistent bi-partisan failure.

    Fortunately there is good news for clean energy, but it is not out of Washington, it is being made right here on Long Island.

    There has been a surprisingly significant amount of action on energy issues at the local level by Long Island governments. It is at the local level that the Clean Energy Leadership Task Force, which has the motto of "Leading by Example," fills the void. The project brings together representatives of the towns and counties here on Long Island to learn about new energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, as well as funding opportunities from the State and Federal governments to implement them. It is also a forum for the municipalities to share information on what they have been doing to implement clean energy policies, and to learn from each other. Since this project was launched in 2004, significant progress has been achieved.

    The Neighborhood Network released a report in 2008 entitled "Leading the Way" that summarizes the extensive efforts of local municipalities on clean energy issues which can serve as examples for others to follow. This report demonstrates that the two counties and most of the 13 towns on Long Island are deeply involved in making their operations more energy efficient, implementing clean, renewable energy sources for government facilities, while also adopting policies that help to promote energy efficiency and renewables for the general public.

    Long Island has a population of almost 3 million, so our region can serve as a model to the nation, if our local governments expand on initiatives such as:

•13 of 15 municipalities regularly attend the Clean Energy Leadership Task Force meetings. (Every town has attended at least one meeting.)
•11 of 15 municipalities have made efficiency upgrades to municipal buildings (installing improved lighting, insulation, heating/cooling, or windows).
•11 of 15 municipalities have invested in some form of alternative fuel or efficiency technology for their vehicles, for example natural gas, biodiesel, electric, or hybrid.
•10 of 15 municipalities have either established an internal energy committee or have a designated staff energy coordinator.
•9 of 15 municipalities are using some form of renewable energy, e.g. solar, wind, use of digester gas at landfill.
•9 of 15 municipalities have adopted Clean Energy Action Plans.
•7 of 13 towns have adopted ENERGY STAR Code requirements for new home construction.
•Of the 7 municipalities that have undergone energy audits by either LIPA or NYPA (New York Power Authority). Three have completed or are completing major building retrofits.

    Despite all this activity, we have found that many Long Island residents are not aware of some of the impressive clean energy efforts that their counties and towns are taking. The Town of Brookhaven pioneered the use of biodiesel on Long Island and is now using over 500,000 gallons of biodiesel in their heavy vehicle fleet annually. Brookhaven also helped to formulate the ENERGY STAR homes policy now adopted by 7 townships —the Neighborhood Network’s goal is to get all 13 towns to adopt this law and create the only region in the Nation where all new home construction will be highly efficient. Babylon Township was the first to pass legislation requiring green building standards for commercial size buildings. They have purchased 17 hybrid vehicles. The Town of Hempstead has installed the largest municipal solar panel system on Long Island on their Town Hall and an additional PV system on their Conservation & Waterways building. In his 2006 State of the County address, Suffolk County Executive Levy stated, “This year we will save over $1 million on energy costs through our Clean Energy Action Plan.”Nassau is also achieving similar levels of savings from avoided electric bills as a result of energy efficiency upgrades.

    While there is more than a little dismay about the seriousness of the challenges posed by the global warming climate crisis, it is at least reassuring to see that Long Island is at the forefront in demonstrating that tomorrow's energy solutions are available today-for immediate implementation.

    As the price of oil continues to skyrocket, local officials are proving that taking action to protect the planet can also be an effective strategy to reduce costs. If Washington D. C. ever decides to make a serious effort to adopt an aggressive national energy policy, then they may develop that policy by looking to the actions being taken here on Long Island.