From Emissions to Solutions: Arizona's Future and the Carbon Rule
By Yesenia Chavez, July 27, 2023
The urgency of addressing climate change is more apparent now than ever. Extreme weather events faced by Arizonans have become more frequent and severe.
Arizona’s population continues to rapidly increase while the effects of climate change, like drought, wildfires, and extreme heat, pose a risk to long-term livability throughout the state. In Arizona, carbon emissions have skyrocketed since 1990, leading to average temperatures increasing by almost 4 degrees Fahrenheit every summer and air quality worsening with the growing number of wildfires. These changes are contributing to water and food insecurity increasing across the state. Not only is climate change impacting farms and agricultural systems, but it is also threatening the energy and water systems that are the foundation of the state’s food supply. Since Arizona supplies crops for other states, these impacts would also affect food supply chains in California, Nevada, and Texas.
In Arizona, the leading consumption of energy comes from the transportation sector which is primarily due to the number of single-occupancy vehicles and the urbanization of Phoenix and its surrounding area. The coal resources that contributed to Arizona’s growth over the last few decades need to be retired. Non-renewable energy sources must be transitioned to renewable energy investments. The transition to a low-carbon economy can create new jobs, stimulate innovation, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Looking at reports from large emitters, 95 facilities in Arizona released nearly 43.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2020, with 85% of that coming from power plants. The Carbon Rule, proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2014, aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants – and so far has dropped 25% since implementation in the contiguous 48 states. The proposed regulations establish carbon emission standards for new and existing power plants, incentivizing renewable energy and energy efficiency. With Arizona’s CO2 emissions from natural gas plants jumping by 229% from 1990 to 2007, it is pertinent that emissions be reduced. The rule not only reduces carbon emissions but also improves air quality and public health.
The urgency of addressing climate change is more apparent now than ever. Extreme weather events faced by Arizonans have become more frequent and severe. The updated Carbon Rule is a significant component in the fight against climate change, but it is not a cure. Stronger emissions standards and incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency are needed to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. The rule should be strengthened and passed, not only for Arizona’s health and economy but that of the country and planet, as well.
Low-income communities of color in the state are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change and carbon emissions. Across Arizona, low-income and Latino neighborhoods are among America’s most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. For instance, they face the worst of extreme heat waves in the state and are met with discriminatory circumstances that may lead to heat-related illnesses or even death. In 2020, the deaths of at least 494 people were linked to heat. This growing number of deaths is a clear sign that government resources need to be mobilized to help protect the most vulnerable populations.
The Carbon Rule can help to address these issues by reducing emissions and improving air quality, but it must be coupled with efforts to prioritize and invest in these vulnerable communities. It is crucial to ensure that the transition to a low-carbon economy is equitable while leveraging the state’s assets to spur decarbonization and economic development.
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