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Colorado Climate Project Tom Easley Director of Programs The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization easley@ rockymontainclimate.org
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN CLIMATE Organization the Our mission: Spreading the word about what climate disruption can do to us here and what we can do about it.
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RMCO’s 44 partners: Local governments: City and County of Denver Boulder County City of Aurora City of Fort Collins City of Boulder La Plata County Summit County
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Local governments, continued: City of Louisville Town of Vail City of Aspen Town of Silverthorne Town of Breckenridge Town of Dillon Town of Frisco Town of Telluride
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Local governments, continued: Town of Winter Park Water Provider: Denver Water Businesses: Aspen Skiing Company BP America Brown and Caldwell
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Businesses, continued: Continuum Partners EcoBuild Gifford Ewing Photography Holland & Hart Intrawest Colorado New Belgium Brewing Company Renewable Energy Choices RBI Strategy & Research
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Businesses, continued: Roche Colorado Sun Electric Systems Vail Resorts Westcliffe Publishers Wild Oats Natural Markets Wright Water Engineers
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Nonprofit organizations: Audubon Colorado Boulder Community Hospital Colorado Association for Recycling Colorado Association of Ski Towns Colorado Conservation Trust National Wildlife Federation Nature Conservancy of Colorado Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
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Nonprofit organizations, continued: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Western Resource Advocates
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Our motivation: This is a special place to live, work, and play. Let’s keep it that way.
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The Colorado Climate Project Bringing Coloradans together to reduce our contributions and our vulnerabilities to climate change.
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The Colorado Climate Project Patterned after state government projects (including Arizona, New Mexico, Montana) Differences: Undertaken by a nonprofit organization. Addressing vulnerability and adaptation, especially with respect to water.
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We face a choice here between a bleaker and a better future. Left unchecked, climate disruption here will mean: More heat Less snow Less available water More drought
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Impact #1: More Heat Observed Annual Temperature Anomaly 2000-2006 Source: Dr. Martin Hoerling, NOAA
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Impact #1: More Heat Projected Change in Annual Temperature 2035-2060 Source: Dr. Martin Hoerling, NOAA
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Impact #1: More Heat Rocky Mountain Climate Organization analysis of NOAA data
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Impact #4: More Drought Projected Change in Palmer Drought Index 2035-2060 Source: Dr. Martin Hoerling, NOAA
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At the same time, Colorado’s need for water is projected to increase by 53% by 2030. Statewide Water Supply Initiative Colorado Department of Natural Resources
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Case Study: Colorado River A recent “best-case” projection of climate- change impacts in the Colorado River basin: By 2010-2039 -- 1.8ºF more heat. (Modest increase!) 24% less snow. 3% less precipitation. 36% less water storage. Christensen at al., in Climatic Change (2004)
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The Colorado Climate Project: Goal: Reduce Colorado ’ s contribution and vulnerability to climate change. What we do here matters. Compared to the world ’ s 212 nations, Colorado emits more carbon dioxide from fossil fuels than 174 nations do. Plus we have a lot at stake! A Better Future
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Colorado & US Emissions By Sector, Year 2000
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Gross Colorado GHG Emissions By Sector, 1990-2020
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Colorado Emissions Growth (MMtCO2e Basis)
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Colorado Climate Project Meetings from Nov. 2006 – Sept. 2007. Emissions inventory and forecast. Cost-benefit analysis and technical support from Center for Climate Strategies. Open, public process. No pre-determined outcomes.
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Project Directors John Hickenlooper, Democratic mayor of Denver Steve Burkholder, Republican mayor of Lakewood Doug Hutchinson, Republican mayor of Fort Collins Tom Long, Republican county commissioner, Summit County
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Project Directors, continued Matt Baker, Environment Colorado Gary Hart, CU-Denver Gail Klapper, Colorado Forum Al Yates, Colorado State University (retired)
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Climate Action Panel 34 members, including 3 co-chairs: Joe Broz, vice president, Midwest Research Institute (NREL) Eric Kuhn, manager, Colorado River Water Conservation District Dan McClendon, manager, Delta-Montrose Electric Association
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Policy Work Groups Comprised of Climate Action Panel members and an additional 70 people: Energy Supply Residential/Commercial/Industrial Transportation/Land Use Agriculture/Forestry/Waste Cross-Cutting Issues Water Adaptation
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Climate Action Panel Decisions reached September 12. Final analysis and write-up to be completed. Project Directors reviewed for approval. Presentation to state government, local governments, utilities, water providers, others.
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Panel Recommendations 70 recommendations: 55 to reduce greenhouse gases 15 to prepare for and deal with changes. 61 unanimous approval 7 super-majority approval 2 simple majority approval
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Panel Recommendations Statewide emission reduction goals: To be set by the Governor “In the vicinity of” 20% below 2005 levels by 2020, and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050 2020 goal equals 37% below projected levels in 2020
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Panel Recommendations 55 recommendations to reduce emissions: 33 analyzed quantitatively: Would achieve 3/4 of the 2020 goal 30 analyzed for cost-effectiveness: Would save about $2.6 billion by 2020
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions (million metric tons of CO2 equivalent) 19902000200520122020 Actual/Forecast GHG Emissions86.1109.6116.1132.8147.6 Total GHG Reductions from Climate Action Panel -10.7-41.3 Projected Emissions After Quantified CAP Reductions 122.2106.3 Target Recommended by CAP (20% below 2005) 92.9 2020 Target Compared to Actual/Forecast Emissions -20%-30% -37%
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Panel Recommendations Increase Renewable Portfolio Standard to 30% for investor-owned utilities and 15% for cooperatives and municipal utilities. New power plants and those 60 years old must be as clean as new natural gas plant. Reduce emissions in oil & gas operations. Programs and incentives to reduce consumer energy use 1% per year Establish inverted block rates
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Panel Recommendations Reduce energy use in state and local government buildings. Upgrade state energy code for new construction. Achieve beyond-code reductions in energy use in new construction. Expand renewable energy use. Smart growth land use planning Mass transit expansion
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Panel Recommendations Adoption of California emission limits for new cars and trucks. Low-carbon standard for vehicle fuels. Incentives for ethanol and biodiesel production. Forest thinning used for energy production. Comprehensive local government plans. Education and outreach for voluntary actions.
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Panel Recommendations Waste Management Recommendations: Source reduction, enhanced recycling, and composting programs Divert 75% of wastes from landfilling by 2020 Education and public involvement Technical assistance Economic support Possible increased landfill surcharges
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Panel Recommendations Waste Management Recommendations: Landfill methane reduction programs Reduce methane emissions 50% from BAU by 2020, Gas to energy projects, flaring, source reduction Methane reduction plans for each landfill, with state technical/financial assistance
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The Colorado Climate Project More information: www.coloradoclimate.org www.rockymountainclimate.org easley@rockymountainclimate.org
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