Show Your Support for Limits on Carbon Emissions (in SF)

10am-5pm March 1
Willie Ortiz Building, 2600 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM

New Energy Economy, Sierra Club and 15 other groups have petitioned the State’s Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) to set a science-based cap on carbon emissions in New Mexico and we would like to hear from you at the public hearings scheduled on March 1. Your presence at these hearings is important as it shows the board that strong support exists for these limits. To send a letter, see http://nmsierraclub.org/letters-to-eib/

By leading the nation in addressing climate change, New Mexico can create a clean, healthy, just, and prosperous future for diverse communities across the state.

Benefits for NM from a cap on carbon emissions include:

• JOBS -- Creating Thousands of Jobs for New Mexicans – NM has the 2nd most solar potential and 12th most wind potential in the nation. If we pass a strong cap on emissions, we can create healthy jobs for those that need them. In addition to clean energy jobs, a carbon cap in NM will lead to large-scale investment in energy efficiency, and NM will create thousands of new jobs for the struggling construction industry.

• INVESTMENT -- Creating an Economic Engine with Clean Energy – Clean energy investors are waiting for a clear policy signal before investing their millions. Recently, investors representing $13 trillion called on policy makers to set strong policies to address climate change. After California passed a bill to reduce emissions, the state attained over $500 million in investment.

• HEALTH -- Protecting the Public Health of New Mexicans – Reducing emissions from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas will benefit the public health of NM. New Mexican communities will have better air quality (reducing asthma and respiratory illnesses) and reduced mercury levels in NM’s fresh water bodies.

• JUSTICE -- Creating Opportunities for Rural Communities – On Navajo Nation, two of the dirtiest coal plants in the US cause the highest asthma and respiratory illness rates in the nation, yet over 50% of the residents of Navajo Nation do not have electricity and over 50% are unemployed. Navajo Nation, and other rural areas throughout the state have incredible potential for healthy economic development with clean energy and energy efficiency.

• YOUTH -- Ensuring a Just Future for New Mexico’s Youth – We have an obligation to ensure a healthy future for New Mexico’s youth. Setting a cap on emissions will create a healthy environment and sustainable economy for future generations.

• LEADERSHIP -- Creating a Strong Model to Address Climate Change –The Copenhagen Climate Summit was a failure with no binding treaty to reduce emissions. The Federal Government has stalled on climate negotiations and the current proposals are too weak to adequately address the problem. A state-based solution will be an engine for emission reductions and clean energy expansion and will serve as a model for other states to follow.