by Mike Johnson, February 15, 2007

Guest Column

I would like to commend the Ipswich Chronicle for publishing its editorial on February 8, 2007 (“Decisive action needed on global warming”). Sadly, as the article pointed out, we are bequeathing to future generations a planet that will be adversely affected by an altered climate. The severity of those effects will depend, in part, on how we respond to this global crisis over the next decade. Make no mistake about it, by the end of this century our children and grandchildren will be facing rising sea levels, increased occurrences and severity of heavy rainfall events that will cause flooding in homes and businesses, and impacts to agriculture and natural ecosystems that will affect fish and wildlife populations and our ability to maintain food supplies. A recent study from the Tufts University Global Development and the Environment Institute estimates the world economy could suffer $20 trillion in economic impacts by the year 2100 if governments fail to address and combat global warming. And, perhaps most alarming, is the possibility that increasing global temperatures could destabilize the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, raising sea levels more than 20 feet over the next few centuries. It’s clear that future generations are not going to look favorably on our procrastination and inability to respond sooner to this problem.

The scientific debate on whether or not the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by humans is causing climate change is over. The truth of the matter is that this debate among scientists has effectively been over for years–only recently has the public and media woken up to the urgency of the problem. In a sign of hope, the new Congress seems motivated to address and take action on global warming. We shall see over the next year if this concern is sincere. But we should not deceive ourselves into thinking that the federal government will unveil a panacea or regulatory remedy to this problem. WE ARE THE SOLUTION! Our state and local governments, as well as businesses and industries, must demonstrate the leadership to confront global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is the individual and cumulative will and resolve of those people in countries who contribute the most to the problem (like the U.S.) that ultimately will determine how humankind responds to the threat of global warming.

What sort of change is necessary for us to combat global warming? First, let your elected officials know that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an important priority for you. If they don’t listen, let them know at the ballot box that you want change. Secondly, change will require some sacrifice on our part, too. We can no longer afford to ignore the damage that we are doing to our planet’s atmosphere from burning fossil fuels. We need to reassess our choices in the way we carry out our daily lives, like our modes of transportation and how we heat our homes.

But not all of these changes need to be painful. For example, you can exercise your choice in how your electricity is purchased and managed. The Town of Ipswich is fortunate in that we have a municipal light department (MLD) that is publicly owned and governed by an elected board, our Board of Selectmen. That means you have a voice in the choice of power generation and conservation. In order to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants from power generation, the Ipswich MLD should be implementing aggressive strategies designed to encourage and assist consumers in modifying their level and pattern of electricity usage to reduce power demand (demand-side management). Conservation and efficiency measures should be an important part of the services the MLD provides our citizens.

Fortunately, the Ipswich Board of Selectmen understands the consequences and threats of global warming, and they are making reductions in town-generated greenhouse gas emissions a priority. The Selectmen have recently requested that the MLD reassess its demand-side management and energy conservation programs, and have recommended an increase in the allocation of funds for energy conservation and efficiency. These programs not only reduce overall energy demands, but they also reduce peak demands, which are most costly to the MLD and can drive up monthly consumer electricity costs.

Also, this past fall, the Selectmen formed the Commission on Energy Use and Climate Protection, whose goals include completing a greenhouse gas inventory for the Town of Ipswich, recommending a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, identifying and evaluating a full range of measures to meet emission goals, and authoring a comprehensive Climate Protection Plan for Town acceptance and incorporation into the Community Development Plan.

Perhaps the most important factors in reducing greenhouse gas emissions are energy conservation and efficiency measures that can be implemented by residents. It may come as a surprise that many of these measures don’t cost a lot of money–they may in fact save you money. What if I said you could get a free in-home energy inspection and audit, with expert advice on how you could reduce the cost of your home’s heating/cooling, electricity and water demands? As residents of the Town of Ipswich you have this free service at your disposal. Call the Municipal Helps Program at 888-333-7525 or email them and schedule your home energy audit at: energyquestions@mmwec.org. In addition to being given free stuff to help you accomplish some of those goals, you may be eligible for additional rebates on some of your home energy efficiency upgrades.

Some of you may be familiar with the local, grass-roots organization, ICARE (Ipswich Citizens Advocating Renewable Energy) from the “Green Car Festival,” which provided a forum for people to see and learn about fuel-efficient vehicles and listen to talks on a wide-range of climate and energy-efficiency related subjects. Now ICARE is hosting a Residential Energy Efficiency Fair on March 24 at the Ipswich High School Performing Arts Center. This will be an excellent opportunity for Ipswich residents to hear and talk to experts about home energy efficiency and how you can reduce your “carbon footprint”.

We must move the global warming debate beyond whether or not it is occurring, to how we can mitigate and limit the most severe effects of climate change. We can accomplish this only if we begin to act now, for there may only be a few years left before we approach a “point of no return” in climate change. We can and must do this for our future generations, and for the sake of our planet.

Mike Johnson is a member of ICARE (Ipswich Citizens Advocating Renewable Energy) and the Ipswich Commission on Energy Use and Climate Protection. Mike has a Master’s degree in Biology, is an Ipswich resident and an admitted home energy-efficiency junkie.

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