Groups urge action on global warming

Dernoga supports move on carbon emissions reduction

A state report regarding the issue of climate pollution was expected to be issued Nov. 15. But, according to AMP Creek Council president Kelly Canavan, the General Assembly’s special session postponed its release indefinitely.

The report is expected to illustrate how much the state is polluting the environment and outline what needs to be done to reduce it. Canavan added that until the report is released, no one can anticipate what will be in the bill or how much the plan could cost taxpayers.

Annie Sanders, an organizer for the Prince George’s County Sierra Club, said it is imperative that the state take action on a bill to reduce climate emissions.

‘‘We need this bill to avert the worst effects of global warming,” Sanders said.

The Sierra Club is involved in a statewide campaign that is trying to push Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) to take action.

Prince George’s County Councilman Thomas Dernoga (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel supports state legislation to reduce climate pollution and promote green living within the county.

‘‘The state needs to do more than just pass a bill; and the county needs to do more than just pass an executive order,” Dernoga said. ‘‘We need to become proactive. We need to reduce carbon emissions and promote mass transit.”

He said it takes action from residents to trigger the biggest impact possible.

‘‘Let us know you are watching us and holding us accountable,” he said. ‘‘It takes more than just going to one meeting.”

Canavan said that the residents she has kept in contact with have been frustrated with the political process. But this event brought out people she hadn’t seen in a while and some she had never seen.

‘‘We wanted to show people what they could do that actually works,” Canavan said. ‘‘Once people get hope again, they will start lobbying again and reenter the process at the local level.”

Dernoga said the council has taken steps to make the county more green. He said the county is producing more green buildings with more efficient lightbulbs and other energy systems. The county also is adding more hybrid cars to its fleet.

Dernoga himself recently ordered a new Toyota Prius hybrid car to replace his county-owned Ford Impala. He said the cost of upgrading to hybrid cars is high, but it is an important step in making Prince George’s County cleaner.

‘‘We need to stop talking and we need to take action,” he said.