Douzinas: Targets Wanted
“Greenhouse” gases: A pleasant-sounding name for the carbon-based gases that threaten to destroy ecosystems, play havoc with weather patterns, raise sea levels and inundate much of Long Island.
We know we need to reduce these emissions. We even have a slew of programs designed to do so. State programs, county programs, town programs, programs from the utility companies.
So, “how’re we doin’?”
We simply don’t know.
But we’re going to start finding out, thanks to a recently released study that provides a careful inventory of emissions on Long Island.
The study provides a much-needed baseline, allowing us to establish reasonable goals for improvement, and most important, measure our progress.
The study identifies what sectors are producing the gases, to help us focus our efforts at reduction where they can be most effective. The three biggest sources are homes (39 percent), transportation (31 percent) and business, industry and government (26 percent). The grand total, as of 2005: 38 million metric tons. That’s 13.7 tons for each Long Islander.
The study was conducted by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, the national leader in carbon inventories, and was funded by the Rauch Foundation.
Where do we go from here?
