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Global Warming Solutions

The Earth's temperature is rising, and the threats are real: lost species, disappearing ecosystems, rising floods, and deadly storm events and disease. We are already seeing the effects of global warming around the world as weather patterns change, brutal storms pound our coastal regions, and animal populations decline. Here in the Midwest, our climate already is changing, disrupting our economy and environment.

The problem is pollution from energy use in power plants, vehicles, and buildings. The solutions innovative technologies and tough laws and regulations that require firm deadlines for global warming pollution reductions.
 
Our Work
Fresh Energy works daily to advance global warming solutions by promoting smart state and national policies that lead to deep, permanent reductions in global warming pollution; catalyzing innovative approaches by business and local governments; and spreading the word to businesses, government and citizens that global warming must be confronted now. We support policies and leaders at the federal, state, and local level that will ensure we avoid the worst impacts of global warming while creating a 21st century energy system that sustains our economies, our communities, and our planet.

Here's how Fresh Energy's Global Warming Solutions program works to accomplish those goals:
  • Advancing federal climate policy - Policymakers look to Fresh Energy for input on developing smart policy solutions to global warming. Our staff are invited to participate in climate discussions with members of Congress, and we continually seek to build stronger relationships with national leaders who support a clean energy future. By developing powerful partnerships with businesses, civic leaders, faith communities, and citizens, we are building the momentum necessary to enact strong federal climate policy.
  • Working to make Minnesota a leader - Fresh Energy and our allies promote effective state-level policies that boost Minnesota's role as a clean energy leader in the Midwest. We provide policy analysis, testimony, and effective communications materials and outreach, in support of global warming solutions for our state. Fresh Energy seeks to highlight the economic opportunities smart climate policy will bring to Minnesota.
  • Spreading the word - Fresh Energy gives more than 100 invited presentations every year, providing information about viable solutions to global warming, and reinforcing the economic benefits available throughout the Midwest from the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Our business outreach continues to grow, and we have spoken by invitation to a number of Fortune 500 companies, many headquartered in Minnesota, including Travelers Insurance, Boston Scientific, UBS Warburg, and United HealthCare, along with key decision makers at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and electric utilities Xcel Energy and Great River Energy. Our business outreach also includes law firms, architects, building owners, housing developers, legal societies, and Rotary clubs. Check out our event calendar for upcoming presentations and events.
  • Influencing media dialog - Local and regional media seek out Fresh Energy's Global Warming Solutions staff as expert commentators on model policy solutions to global warming. Fresh Energy contributes material to or is quoted in hundreds of print and radio news stories on global warming every year. We work to push the public dialog in support of policies that move a clean energy agenda forward.
  • Pushing for tough standards - We're working to ensure that no subsidies, incentives or commitments are made to new coal-fired plants unless they produce zero emissions.
Legislative Agenda
Fresh Energy's state legislative agenda is designed to promote policies that reduce the most global warming pollution at the lowest cost. The most relevant policies from the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group's (MCCAG) recommendations are center to our work, and we are always looking for new opportunities to help Minnesota lead the Midwest transition to a clean, 21st century energy system.