Climate and Energy
Alaskans have an opportunity to shape national policy - and forge national solutions - by telling our story, crafting local and state policies to minimize our impacts, and empowering our congressional delegation to lead the fight for climate security. That's why ACE's global warming campaign concentrates advocacy on: • Bringing public attention to the threat of global warming. • Reducing individual and business energy consumption. • Shaping energy policy on local, state and federal levels. • Providing online information and educational resources. More than ever, we need the grassroots support of our members to make an impact on this issue. Your calls to elected officials, efforts to reduce your own energy conservation, outreach to friends and financial support are crucial to the success of this campaign. To become a key activist and volunteer on our global warming campaign, send an email to ace@akcenter.org.
The Problem
Alaska is often called the canary in the coal mine for climate change. Temperatures in Alaska have warmed by 5 degrees Fahrenheit since the 1950's, as compared to a 1 degree rise in the rest of the world (National Assessment of Climate Change, Alaska Region).
The costs of climate change are threatening our very way of life, as well as our economic interests. Forests are succumbing to increased infestation and fire, warming threatens salmon fisheries, and our favorite winter recreation activities are threatened by increasingly unpredictable winters. If we don’t take action today to stop climate change in its tracks, the Alaska we know and love will be forever changed- for the worse.
The good news is that we have the tools to save our state. Just as Alaska is ground zero for global warming, we can also be a leader for reversing the harmful causes of climate change. Global warming is a global problem that requires global solutions- and that means taking positive steps at the personal, regional, and national level. Together, regardless of political ideology, we have the tools to mitigate climate change.
The Solution
A part of this solution is to decrease our energy demand and make sure the sustainable energy infrastructure is developed in the state. Alaska can become the global leader of renewable energy technology, and energy conservation & efficiency. ACE is working to inspire individuals, businesses and government entities to move away from fossil fuel dependent energy generation, like coal development, towards thinking permanently about renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation as permanent, reliable solutions to growing global energy demand. ACE envisions Alaska as a Global Energy Leader, in the short-term through proactive energy policy, and in the long-term through sustainable energy infrastructures.
Energy Conservation & Efficiency
