Gulf Restoration Network

United for a Healthy Gulf

OUR REGION NEEDS STATE LEADERSHIP

The Gulf Coast is ground zero for the impacts of Global Warming! Stronger storms, higher sea levels, saltwater contamination of drinking water, and many other local impacts put life on the Gulf Coast at risk. The people of the Gulf Coast need strong leadership focused on developing sound adaptation strategies and reducing risk associated with global warming pollution now!

The delay in a Federal response is disappointing but it has led states to take action with their geographic neighbors, allowing them to address issues specific to their region. The Gulf State Governors have already recognized that environmental problems cross state borders and formed the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. The Alliance is made up of six priority teams responsible for protecting the environmental and economic resources of the Gulf of Mexico, unfortunately, climate change was not made a priority.

The Alliance is an ideal group to develop a regional approach to effective global warming management and decrease risk for all Gulf Coast residents. Tell your Governor to instruct the Alliance to make climate change a priority for action!

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July 30, 2010

Subject:

Dear Governor,

As a resident of your state, I strongly request that you direct the Gulf of Mexico Alliance to adopt climate change as a new priority area for the Action Plan that is currently being drafted (Action Plan II).  It is critical that the Gulf Coast begin to address the challenges we face now and in the future as a result of our changing climate.  Lives, jobs, and property depend on effective and timely leadership.

The mission of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance is to protect the ecological and economic health of the Gulf. Its six priority teams do not have the range and flexibility to adequately address the wide variety of challenges that a changing climate presents to this region.  In order to comply with its directive and to prepare for global warming, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance needs to form a new priority team focused solely on climate change.

The new priority team, Climate Change and Adaptation Priority Issue Team (CCAPIT), should include state, local, and federal representation as well as businesses and non-profits to research and address specific environmental problems and solutions related to our changing climate. CCAPIT should have three priority areas: research, adaptation, and mitigation:

1.	Research into the impacts of climate change on the Gulf of Mexico must continue and broaden. While climate scientists are very clear about the long-term and global impacts expected from climate change, regional impacts are more challenging to determine. Therefore, research at the local level must be ramped up.

2.	Climate risk management adaptation strategies can be implemented if climate change occurs slowly and our understanding of climate risk improves. Research should drive adaptation planning that would give hard working communities in the Gulf the tools to adjust.

3.	Mitigation is a key component of climate change work.  Global warming cannot be solved without addressing greenhouse gas emissions. Although energy discussions have been contentious, it is imperative that each state should consider energy efficiency incentives, protecting and restoring carbon sinks like wetlands and other Gulf Coast natural areas, and expansion of renewable energy supplies.

Your involvement in these measures is crucial to the health and wealth of the Gulf of Mexico. Please direct your appointees on the Alliance Management Team to support these measures.

Sincerely,

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