HOW CAN SOUND SCIENCE INFORM GOOD GLOBAL WARMING POLICY?

The Governor of Colorado campaigned on the need to bring forward a New Energy Economy for the state, in some measure because of his recognition of the contribution of the burning of fossil fuels to global warming. The New Energy Economy recognizes the finite realities of fossil fuels; the opportunities inherent in broadening the fuel portfolio; and the aim of removing CO2 from the atmosphere as the key strategy to stabilizing the climate. A key natural resource that is and will evidence the effects of global warming in Colorado is water. How should the realities of the Denver Basin water supply, and more broadly, water supplies in Colorado and future expectations be applied to informing good public policy that addresses a rapidly growing region? Should water supply be applied as a resource determinant in growth, energy, land use, transportation and materials economy decisions? If so, how? The Governor is committed to creation of a comprehensive global warming action plan for the State: how can scientific knowledge about global warming, its effects, and the question of carbon capture and sequestration best be applied to policy approaches that aim to boost and support sustainable economic activity? What are the most sound applied, prioritized solutions based on the emissions inventory of the state? (The Colorado Geologic Survey notes that two-thirds of Colorado's carbon emissions stem from five coal fired power plants). What can water, specifically, do to help guide an effective adaptation strategy? The presentation will will outline Governor Ritter's commitment to statewide address of global warming, explore the tools available to do so, and pose the questions to the audience outlined above.