New scientific assessment predicts massive droughts for New Mexico

Today, 13 government science agencies issued the most definitive scientific assessment to date of the impacts of global warming on the United States and reinforced the urgency of acting now to reduce pollution. The story the report tells for New Mexico is one of more extreme heat waves, more drought, reduced snowpack in winter and river flows in summer, if global warming pollution levels are not dramatically and rapidly cut. According to Environment New Mexico, the report also tells another story – one of the opportunity to avert disaster by converting to a clean energy economy.

The report states that, “Sizable early cuts in emissions would significantly reduce the pace and the overall amount of climate change. Earlier cuts in emissions would have a greater effect in reducing climate change than comparable reductions made later.”

The good news in this report is that the future isn’t written yet. By repowering America with clean energy, we can not only stop the worst effects of global warming, but we can recharge our economy, creating millions of jobs in the process.

Clean energy has been a bright spot in our economy in recent years. According to a survey of green businesses by the Pew Charitable Trusts, job growth in the emerging clean energy economy has been more than twice as fast as in the economy as a whole: 9.1 percent growth in green businesses compared with 3.8 percent in all businesses combined. Economists at the University of Massachusetts calculated that a $100 billion investment in building a clean energy economy could create as many as 2 million new, well-paying jobs here in the United States in just two years, with 13,717 jobs here in New Mexico.

The economics of clean energy and the science on global warming make it quite clear that now is the time to unleash the power of clean energy to protect our environment and transform our economy.

The report found that global warming has already raised average temperatures in New Mexico, and that recent warming in the Southwest is among the most rapid in the nation. If global warming pollution continues under the report’s high emissions scenario, scientists expect New Mexico to experience the following impacts:

- Massive droughts, which will have a catastrophic effect on agriculture

- Extreme heat waves

- Reduced snowpack, which will have a devastating effect on the ski industry

Burning fossil fuels – coal, oil, and natural gas – is responsible for the vast majority of U.S. global warming emissions. Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a bill to put a first-ever federal limit on global warming pollution and set a framework for moving to a clean energy economy.

Our choices today will determine the future we and our children face. Congressman Teague should stand on the side of a cleaner, smarter energy future and support strengthening and passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act.