Rob Horowitz: Two Important Developments on the Climate Front
Rob Horowitz, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Rob Horowitz: Two Important Developments on the Climate Front
Given the difficulty of this challenge on a problem that can only be solved through the strong cooperation and at least some measure of economic sacrifice from the world’s major carbon emitters, all positive developments are welcome. I call your attention to two recent ones: last week’s US Supreme Court decision upholding the EPA’s authority to regulate smog that travels across state lines from coal plants and the rapidly dropping cost of renewable energy.
The role of the Supreme Court
Last week’s US Supreme Court decision paves the way for a continuation of the Obama Administration’s robust use of executive authority in taking action on climate change. Reducing carbon emissions from coal plants—by far the nation’s number one source of greenhouse gas—is at the center of this effort. Taken together, the series of executive actions put forward by President Obama is giving the United States new found international credibility on climate, reinforcing Secretary of State John Kerrey’s active and vocal diplomacy in advance of scheduled new negotiations to reach an international climate change agreement in 2015. With any meaningful progress on taking action on climate change stalled in Congress, continued strong executive action remains a must.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMore specifically, the Supreme Court upheld the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) power to regulate coal plant emissions that create smog, which then travels across state lines to pollute the air of non-coal producing states, and they did so by a 6-to-2 vote. As the New York Times reported, this is a strong signal, according to legal experts, that the “sweeping new regulations” to reduce greenhouse gases produced by coal plants that EPA plans to issue in June are likely to withstand legal challenge. (For Rhode Island and Massachusetts, this decision brings the added benefit of significantly reducing air pollution as wind patterns consistently bring this smog generated mainly by power plants in the Midwest and Appalachian states eastward.)
Carbon-free renewable energy
An even more consequential positive development as noted by one of the IPCC draft reports is the rapidly reducing cost of carbon-free renewable energy and the stepped-up increase in production. Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in the 40% to 70% range over the next 30 years or so as deemed essential by the IPCC will require a vastly stepped-up use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, and even nuclear, along with greatly increased energy conservation.
The new draft IPCC report asserts that over the past several years,” Many [renewable energy] technologies have demonstrated substantial performance improvements and cost reductions, and a growing number of [renewable energy] technologies have achieved a level of maturity to enable deployment at significant scale…Regarding electricity generation alone, [renewable energy] accounted for just over half of the new electricity generating capacity added globally in 2012, led by growth in wind, hydro and solar power.”
Just as importantly, the IPCC now estimates that the cost in annual economic growth of making the transition to a mainly renewable energy sources, non-carbon polluting green energy system, would be a modest .06%. This new cost estimate is far below previous ones, reflecting the rapid drop in the cost of renewable energy.
These positive developments point the way towards substantial progress on climate change. Of course, much more must be accomplished to put us on the right path. Still, there is a basis for optimism and hope that with United States leadership this tough problem can be solved and the potentially disastrous rise in global temperatures will be limited.
Rob Horowitz is a strategic and communications consultant who provides general consulting, public relations, direct mail services and polling for national and state issue organizations, various non-profits and elected officials and candidates. He is an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island.
Natural Disasters: RI's Most At Risk and Vulnerable Communities
#39 Little Compton
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 160
Flood Score: 18
Earthquake Score: 60
Tornado Score: 16
Snow Score: 50
Total Score: 424
Flood Damage
Rank: 14
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 2,516
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 16.78%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 1,160
Number of Buildings at Risk: 187
Photo: Flickr/Al Carmadella Jr.
#38 Richmond
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 200
Flood Score: 18
Earthquake Score: 90
Tornado Score: 24
Snow Score: 75
Total Score: 587
Flood Damage
Rank: 24
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 2,945
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 11.35%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#37 Exeter
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 240
Flood Score: 0
Earthquake Score: 90
Tornado Score: 24
Snow Score: 75
Total Score: 609
Flood Damage
Rank: 36
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 2,190
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 5.78%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
Photo: Flickr/UCL Mathematical
#36 West Greenwich
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 240
Flood Score: 0
Earthquake Score: 90
Tornado Score: 24
Snow Score: 75
Total Score: 609
Flood Damage
Rank: 39
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 1,197
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 3.62%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
Photo: Flickr/born1945
#35 New Shoreham
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 300
Flood Score: 27
Earthquake Score: 90
Tornado Score: 24
Snow Score: 75
Total Score: 696
Flood Damage
Rank: 13
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 1,220
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 17.3%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 840
Number of Buildings at Risk: 20
Photo: Flickr/Al Camardella Jr.
#34 Foster
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 180
Flood Score: 18
Earthquake Score: 120
Tornado Score: 32
Snow Score: 200
Total Score: 790
Flood Damage
Rank: 28
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 2,659
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 7.94%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
Photo: Flickr/US Geological Survey
#33 Jamestown
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 480
Flood Score: 54
Earthquake Score: 180
Tornado Score: 48
Snow Score: 150
Total Score: 1,272
Flood Damage
Rank: 20
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 766
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 11.95%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 3,910
Number of Buildings at Risk: 108
Photo: Flickr/NASA Goddard
#32 Hopkinton
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 600
Flood Score: 54
Earthquake Score: 210
Tornado Score: 56
Snow Score: 175
Total Score: 1,515
Flood Damage
Rank: 21
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 3,412
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 11.86%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#31 North Smithfield
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 480
Flood Score: 27
Earthquake Score: 210
Tornado Score: 56
Snow Score: 350
Total Score: 1,543
Flood Damage
Rank: 26
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 1,727
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 10.63%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
Photo: Flickr/ilovemypit
#30 Charlestown
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 680
Flood Score: 144
Earthquake Score: 210
Tornado Score: 56
Snow Score: 175
Total Score: 1,685
Flood Damage
Rank: 4
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 9,276
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 34.08%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 2,510
Number of Buildings at Risk: 838
#29 Glocester
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 500
Flood Score: 27
Earthquake Score: 240
Tornado Score: 64
Snow Score: 400
Total Score: 1,711
Flood Damage
Rank: 34
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 2,271
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 6.2%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
Photo: Flickr/Michael Dolan
#28 East Greenwich
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 720
Flood Score: 63
Earthquake Score: 270
Tornado Score: 72
Snow Score: 225
Total Score: 1,890
Flood Damage
Rank: 17
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 1,500
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 14.03%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 1,240
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
Photo: Flickr/Sean Naber
#27 Scituate
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 500
Flood Score: 99
Earthquake Score: 270
Tornado Score: 72
Snow Score: 450
Total Score: 1,931
Flood Damage
Rank: 11
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 6,368
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 17.98%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
Photo: Flickr/US Geological Survey
#26 Middletown
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 800
Flood Score: 36
Earthquake Score: 300
Tornado Score: 80
Snow Score: 250
Total Score: 2,066
Flood Damage
Rank: 37
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 499
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 5.63%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 2,012
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
Photo: Flickr/Ani Carrington
#25 Central Falls
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 740
Flood Score: 36
Earthquake Score: 300
Tornado Score: 80
Snow Score: 500
Total Score: 2,256
Flood Damage
Rank: 16
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 121
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 14.58%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#24 Tiverton
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 880
Flood Score: 54
Earthquake Score: 330
Tornado Score: 88
Snow Score: 275
Total Score: 2,287
Flood Damage
Rank: 22
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 2,335
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 11.51%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 3,080
Number of Buildings at Risk: 191
#23 Warren
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 800
Flood Score: 198
Earthquake Score: 330
Tornado Score: 88
Snow Score: 275
Total Score: 2,351
Flood Damage
Rank: 5
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 1,431
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 33.99%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 7,520
Number of Buildings at Risk: 534
#22 Lincoln
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 740
Flood Score: 45
Earthquake Score: 360
Tornado Score: 96
Snow Score: 600
Total Score: 2,561
Flood Damage
Rank: 35
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 752
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 6.12%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#21 Narragansett
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,180
Flood Score: 198
Earthquake Score: 390
Tornado Score: 104
Snow Score: 325
Total Score: 2,977
Flood Damage
Rank: 2
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 4,224
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 39.2
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 9,030
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#20 Portsmouth
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,120
Flood Score: 216
Earthquake Score: 420
Tornado Score: 112
Snow Score: 350
Total Score: 3,058
Flood Damage
Rank: 7
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 4,238
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 26.64
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 6,530
Number of Buildings at Risk: 1,078
Photo: Flickr/Core Burn
#19 Smithfield
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 920
Flood Score: 72
Earthquake Score: 420
Tornado Score: 112
Snow Score: 700
Total Score: 3,094
Flood Damage
Rank: 30
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 1,201
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 6.74%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#18 Barrington
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 860
Flood Score: 243
Earthquake Score: 420
Tornado Score: 112
Snow Score: 600
Total Score: 3,066
Flood Damage
Rank: 1
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 2,417
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 40.97%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 13,890
Number of Buildings at Risk: 784
#17 Bristol
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,200
Flood Score: 135
Earthquake Score: 480
Tornado Score: 128
Snow Score: 400
Total Score: 3,303
Flood Damage
Rank: 8
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 1,745
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 26.28
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 5,330
Number of Buildings at Risk: 483
#16 Coventry
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,160
Flood Score: 81
Earthquake Score: 480
Tornado Score: 128
Snow Score: 550
Total Score: 3,359
Flood Damage
Rank: 38
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 2,147
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 5.26%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#15 Burrillville
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 906
Flood Score: 63
Earthquake Score: 510
Tornado Score: 136
Snow Score: 850
Total Score: 3,539
Flood Damage
Rank: 32
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 2,394
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 6.39
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#14 Johnston
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,180
Flood Score: 18
Earthquake Score: 510
Tornado Score: 136
Snow Score: 850
Total Score: 3,714
Flood Damage
Rank: 25
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 1,677
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 10.7%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#13 South Kingstown
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,580
Flood Score: 171
Earthquake Score: 540
Tornado Score: 144
Snow Score: 450
Total Score: 3,965
Flood Damage
Rank: 6
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 12,168
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 29.51
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 7,310
Number of Buildings at Risk: 1,315
#12 Cumberland
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,180
Flood Score: 117
Earthquake Score: 600
Tornado Score: 160
Snow Score: 1,000
Total Score: 4,257
Flood Damage
Rank: 23
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 2,098
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 11.46%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#11 Westerly
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,880
Flood Score: 189
Earthquake Score: 570
Tornado Score: 152
Snow Score: 475
Total Score: 4,406
Flood Damage
Rank: 9
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 5,604
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 26.15%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 7,120
Number of Buildings at Risk: 1,342
#10 West Warwick
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,480
Flood Score: 99
Earthquake Score: 660
Tornado Score: 176
Snow Score: 925
Total Score: 4,660
Flood Damage
Rank: 19
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 629
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 12.21%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#9 North Providence
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,400
Flood Score: 81
Earthquake Score: 690
Tornado Score: 184
Snow Score: 1,150
Total Score: 4,885
Flood Damage
Rank: 33
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 238
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 6.3%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#8 North Kingstown
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,760
Flood Score: 297
Earthquake Score: 690
Tornado Score: 184
Snow Score: 575
Total Score: 4,886
Flood Damage
Rank: 10
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 5,538
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 19.12%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 7,820
Number of Buildings at Risk: 850
Photo: Flickr/Jessica Merz
#7 Newport
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 1,880
Flood Score: 306
Earthquake Score: 720
Tornado Score: 192
Snow Score: 600
Total Score: 5,138
Flood Damage
Rank: 3
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 2,078
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 37.24%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 10,590
Number of Buildings at Risk: 993
Photo: Flickr/ChalkyLives
#6 Woonsocket
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 2,260
Flood Score: 99
Earthquake Score: 1,110
Tornado Score: 296
Snow Score: 1,850
Total Score: 7,835
Flood Damage
Rank: 29
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 356
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 6.95%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: N/A
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#5 East Providence
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 2,720
Flood Score: 225
Earthquake Score: 1,410
Tornado Score: 376
Snow Score: 2,350
Total Score: 9,901
Flood Damage
Rank: 12
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 1,610
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 17.37%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 7,430
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#4 Cranston
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 3,820
Flood Score: 360
Earthquake Score: 1,950
Tornado Score: 520
Snow Score: 3,250
Total Score: 13,800
Flood Damage
Rank: 27
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 1,541
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 8.25%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 2,330
Number of Buildings at Risk: 640
#3 Pawtucket
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 4,880
Flood Score: 117
Earthquake Score: 2,160
Tornado Score: 576
Snow Score: 3,600
Total Score: 15,653
Flood Damage
Rank: 31
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 392
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 6.7%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 1,150
Number of Buildings at Risk: N/A
#2 Warwick
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 5,400
Flood Score: 684
Earthquake Score: 2,400
Tornado Score: 640
Snow Score: 2,875
Total Score: 16,799
Flood Damage
Rank: 15
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 3,923
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 16.51%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 28,760
Number of Buildings at Risk: 2,594
#1 Providence
Natural Hazard Scores
Wind Score: 10,980
Flood Score: 486
Earthquake Score: 5,850
Tornado Score: 1,560
Snow Score: 9,750
Total Score: 40,326
Flood Damage
Rank: 18
Acres at Risk of Flooding: 1,669
Percent of Total Acres in Community at Risk: 13.58%
Hurricane Coastal Flooding
Number of Residents in Evac. Zone: 1,010
Number of Buildings at Risk: 481
