WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Where’s all the carbon in our air coming from?

 New research published in the journal Climactic Change shows that a remarkably small number of companies (90) are responsible for two-thirds of global warming causing carbon emissions.

Between the years 1751 to 2010, 90 companies released about 914 gigatons of CO2 emissions. Seven of those companies are cement manufacturers, the rest are energy companies producing oil, gas, and coal. (Click here for the list.)

Former Vice-President Al Gore hailed the report. “This study is a crucial step forward in our understanding of the evolution of the climate crisis,” he told The Guardian. “The public and private sectors alike must do what is necessary to stop global warming. Those who are historically responsible for polluting our atmosphere have a clear obligation to be part of the solution.”

Governor Inslee is making climate change a priority for the 2015 legislative session. And last year saw proposals to address carbon emissions like HB 2803. Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon sponsored this legislation which would have set a price on emissions of climate change causing carbon pollution and using the proceeds to meet the legislature’s obligation to fund basic education laid out in McCleary v. State of Washington.

With the Governor’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Taskforce releasing its report this week, the issue is gaining even more attention in Olympia. Stay tuned!