Arizona, New Mexico Launch Southwest Climate Change Initiative

[jpak]

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Arizona, New Mexico Launch Southwest Climate Change Initiative

March 20, 2006

Arizona and New Mexico Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed an agreement launching the Southwest Climate Change Initiative, which establishes a framework for the two states to collaborate on strategies to address the effects of climate change in the Southwest and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region.

"In the absence of real action at the federal level, states are stepping forward to address the serious issues presented by climate change."-- Governor Janet Napolitano, Arizona

Under the Initiative, Arizona and New Mexico will collaborate on a number of climate change-related actions, including development of consistent approaches for measuring, forecasting and reporting greenhouse gas emissions; giving credit for greenhouse gas reduction actions; identifying options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; promoting climate change mitigation actions, energy efficient technologies and clean and renewable energy sources that enhance economic growth; and advocating for regional and national climate policies that reflect the needs and interests of Southwestern states.

In the document establishing the Initiative, the Governors declare that "Southwestern states have particular concerns about the impacts of climate change and climate variability on residents, businesses and the environment, including the potential for prolonged drought, severe forest fires, warmer temperatures, increased snowmelt, reduced snowpack and other effects."

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[phantom power]

1. Good for Janet. She oughtta be concerned about prolonged drought.

We're in the middle of one.

[ThoughtCriminal]

2. Phoenix went 140 days without rain

Consider that a preview. Not looking forward to fire season this year.

[Warpy]

3. Nor was I downwind here in NM

Last year the smoke from Arizona wildfires obscured our mountains for a whole week, and last year was a fairly wet year.

This year everyhing was bone dry all winter long. The only things that have made things any better have been 2 small storms over the past week. If we can get a few more small storms through, perhaps it won't be the disaster we're expecting.

Local news people are saying the farmers may be cut off completely instead of getting the 50% of the usual irrigation supply they thought they'd get.

[phantom power]

4. I think the recent high country precip saved us from the worst.

It may still be bad, but without the last couple weekends, it would have been something completely unprecedented.