Illinois Shaping Climate Strategies

Illinois Shaping Climate Strategies



Feb 2007 - Illinois Governor 
Rod Blagojevich’s Climate Change Advisory Group on Thursday 
will begin developing comprehensive recommendations for 
greenhouse gas emissions reductions throughout the state. 
Last week, the governor announced his statewide goal of 
reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and 
60 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. 
Scientists maintain that global reductions of this magnitude 
are needed to minimize the impact of climate change. 
The governor has asked the Climate Change Advisory Group to 
develop recommendations for strategies to achieve this goal. 
Such strategies would aim to reduce the impact of global 
warming, boost the economy, protect the environment and 
maintain a good quality of life for all Illinois residents. 
"The impact of global warming in Illinois and around the globe 
could be devastating, and we can’t wait for the federal 
government to act because scientists worldwide have warned 
that we must address climate change within the next decade to 
avoid serious and irreversible consequences," said Governor 
Blagojevich. 
“The international community recognizes that rising 
temperatures, melting glaciers, and unusual weather patterns 
are warning signs telling us that climate change is a reality. 
Now, despite inaction by President Bush, we must deal with 
it," the governor said. 
The Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group has broad 
representation from business, labor unions, energy and 
agricultural industries, scientists, utilities, environmental 
organizations, public health groups and other stakeholders. 
Thursday's meeting will be the first of several to address the 
effects of climate change in Illinois. 
"The goals the Governor has set will help the Climate Change 
Advisory Group identify the key strategies needed to make 
meaningful reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse 
gases statewide while improving the competitiveness of 
Illinois’ economy,” said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott, who 
chairs the advisory group. 
“From the Governor’s Energy Independence Plan that will create 
thousands of jobs in the renewable energy sector, to powering 
state facilities with wind power, to the Illinois Conservation 
and Climate Initiative that helps farmers earn money by 
trapping carbon dioxide in the soil, Illinois is making a 
strong commitment to minimize the impact of global warming," 
said Scott. 
Earlier this month, the governor joined California Governor 
Arnold Schwarzenegger and executives from BP to launch the 
Energy Biosciences Institute to be based at the University of 
Illinois Urbana/Champaign and the University of California, 
Berkeley. 
The $500 million facility funded by BP will invest in research 
next-generation homegrown biofuels made from crops to cut 
greenhouse gas emissions, boost U.S. energy independence and 
create new markets for Illinois farmers.

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