Climate change is a shift in long-term weather patterns: temperature, precipitation, wind, and more. There is scientific consensus that our climate is changing, largely as a result of human activities. These include the combustion of fossil fuels, which increases atmospheric concentrations of:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
  
• Methane (CH₄)
  
• Nitrous oxide (N₂O), and
  
• Other heat-trapping gases

These greenhouse gases form a "blanket" of pollution that traps heat in the atmosphere and causes climate instability characterized by severe weather events such as storms, droughts, floods, heat waves, and rising sea levels.

Climate change is a worldwide concern because, if it continues, there will be significant impacts on people, natural resources, and economic conditions around the globe. While the magnitude of these potential changes is difficult to predict, there is broad agreement that they are coming and will dramatically affect many aspects of our daily lives.

If local climate trends continue as projected, weather patterns in Boston may, within the next 50 to 100 years, more closely resemble those now found in Richmond, Virginia, or Atlanta, Georgia. Climate change on this scale would have wide-ranging consequences for everyone in Massachusetts.

Modeling done by the Union of Concerned Scientists has projected local impacts across the Northeast, including 25 to 55 more days each summer with temperatures higher than 90 degrees, a four- to 33-inch rise in sea level (dramatically increasing erosion and flooding from storms), and a significant increase in the number of days when streams have very low flows.

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Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority for the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MassDEP is taking a number of steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize climate change impacts:

Reducing Emissions from Transportation

As part of its core mission, MassDEP is working to cut greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles and fuels through its Low-Emission Vehicle and Rideshare programs, the Massachusetts Vehicle Check program, stepped-up enforcement of state vehicle idling restrictions, and efforts to promote transit-oriented development.

Reducing Emissions from Stationary Sources

Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to adopt greenhouse gas emissions standards for power plants. The MassDEP rules target the six highest-emitting facilities in the state and may be a regulatory model as the Commonwealth re-joins the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. In a related move, the agency has established a program to provide incentives for emissions reductions by granting Greenhouse Gas Credits to qualifying projects that reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions. MassDEP also provides grants to towns and cities for their efforts to reduce waste and save energy, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize climate change impacts.

Encouraging the Development of Renewable Energy

MassDEP is streamlining regulations, accelerating permit reviews, and creating other incentives for projects that incorporate renewable energy, combined heat and power, or energy reliability. The MassDEP Energy Team is a flexible, multi-disciplinary group of experts who help expedite project approvals while ensuring that proponents protect the environment. 

Supporting Smart Growth

Through a range of activities, MassDEP is encouraging growth in already-developed areas and fostering transit-oriented development to reduce the frequency and distance of vehicle trips, thereby helping reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions from automobiles. MassDEP Smart Growth initiatives include financial, regulatory and technical incentives for Brownfields development, and urban redevelopment incentives in the State Revolving Fund (SRF), a low-interest loan program for municipal and regional wastewater and drinking water projects.

Seeking Regional and National Solutions

MassDEP is working with other states across the country to develop a Greenhouse Gas Registry that will provide a common software platform and methodologies for recording and reporting greenhouse gas emissions information.

MassDEP is also working to use resources and energy more efficiently, and reduce its own carbon footprint. Under a state pilot program, the agency will soon purchase all of its electricity from renewable sources. In 2006, MassDEP installed energy-efficient lighting at its Boston and Wilmington offices, and bought hybrid vehicles as planned replacements for its emergency response vans.

The agency used recycled building materials and green building techniques at its re-opened Northeast Regional Office in Wilmington and new Cape Cod satellite office in Hyannis, and will pursue the highest possible Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its William S. Wall Experiment Station in Lawrence, which is being renovated and expanded over the next two years.

For additional information about what MassDEP is doing about greenhouse gases and climate change, contact Bill Lamkin at 978-694-3294 or William.Lamkin@state.ma.us.

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Here are ten simple steps you can take at any time to reduce your personal and household emissions of carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas contributor to climate change. Annual carbon dioxide savings are estimates for the described activity or an average household.

1. When replacing your car, choose a more fuel-efficient vehicle. See the U.S. Fuel Economy Ratings. Annual carbon dioxide savings if your new car gets only 3 miles per gallon more than your old one: 3,000 pounds.
   
   
2. Recycle as much waste as possible. Earth 911 provides information on recycling in your community. Annual carbon dioxide savings of recycling half of your household waste: 2,400 pounds.
   
   
3. Set your thermostat 2 degrees Fahrenheit lower in winter and 2 degrees higher in summer. Heating and cooling account for half of all energy use at home. Annual carbon dioxide savings: 2,000 pounds.
   
   
4. Wrap an insulation blanket around your water heater. While you're at it, set the unit's thermostat to no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual carbon dioxide savings: 1,850 pounds.
   
   
5. Avoid products with excessive packaging. This simple step can reduce the amount of trash you need to recycle or throw away by 10 percent. Annual carbon dioxide savings: 1,200 pounds.
   
   
6. Schedule a home energy audit. Many utilities check customers' homes and provide simple energy-saving devices for free, and offer suggestions on improving insulation and energy efficiency. Annual carbon dioxide savings: 1,000 pounds (plus a 30 percent savings on your home heating and cooling bill).
   
   
7. Use less hot water. Heating water consumes a lot of energy. Try installing a low-flow showerhead and washing your clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot. Annual carbon dioxide savings: 850 pounds.
   
   
8. Vacation closer to home. Air travel is growing in popularity and jet fuel combustion is a major contributor to climate change. Carbon dioxide savings from not taking one round-trip flight of 1,600 miles: 720 pounds.
   
   
9. Walk, ride your bike, carpool with a friend, or take mass transit whenever possible. Learn more about transportation options in your area from MassRIDES. Annual carbon dioxide savings from avoiding just 10 miles of driving per week: 500 pounds.
   
   
10. Replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps. New fluorescent bulbs use 60 percent less energy than old-style incandescents. Annual carbon dioxide savings: 300 pounds.

Calculate your personal or household impact on climate change using the Nature Conservancy Carbon Calculator.  Find out how your home electricity use affects air quality and global climate change with the EPA Power Profiler.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

Web page

RGGI Home Page

Web site

MassDEP RGGI Regulations

310 CMR 7.00 (Appendix B), 310 CMR 7.29 & 310 CMR 7.70: Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Budget Trading Program, January 2008 
Web page

Related: Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Regulations: 225 CMR 13.00, CO2 Budget Trading Program Auction
DOER web site

News Releases: Massachusetts Participation in RGGI

Gov. Patrick Signs Regional Pact to Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Web site

Massachusetts Stakeholder Meetings on RGGI, March & April 2007

Agendas, Presentations & Stakeholder Comments
Web page

Related: State Implementation Plan (SIP) Steering Committee
Web page

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Massachusetts Smart Growth Toolkit

Web site

Massachusetts Sustainable Development Initiative

Web site

New England Regional Climate Variability & Change Assessment

Web site

Transit-Oriented Development in Massachusetts

Web site

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MassDEP Greenhouse Gas Standards for Power Plants & GHG Credits Program

Regulations section of this page

Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources: Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard

Web site

Related: Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust
Grants, Incentives & Assistance section of this page

Massachusetts Green Power Partnership

Web site

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative

What you can do to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Web site

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star Program

Protect the environment by using energy-efficient appliances, heating/cooling systems, and lighting.
Web site

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Massachusetts Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program

Web page

Related: 310 CMR 7.40: Low Emission Vehicles, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Revisions
Regulations, Applications & Forms section of this page

Massachusetts Rideshare Program

Web page

Related: 310 CMR 7.16: Massachusetts Rideshare Regulation
Web page

Massachusetts Vehicle Check

State Emissions Testing & Safety Inspection Program
Massachusetts Vehicle Check web site

School Bus Idling Reduction

Web page

Transit-Oriented Development in Massachusetts

Plans, Reports & Tools section of this page

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310 CMR 7.16: Massachusetts Rideshare Regulation

Web page

Related: Rideshare Annual Reporting Package
Web page

Related: Rideshare Reporting Guidance
Web page

310 CMR 7.29 & 310 CMR 7.00: Appendix B Greenhouse Gas Amendments

September 2006
Web page

Related: Greenhouse Gas Credit Account, Certification & Verification Forms
Web page

310 CMR 7.40: Low Emission Vehicles: Greenhouse Gas Revisions

December 2005
Web page

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MassDEP Municipal Waste Reduction & Climate Protection Grants

Web page

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative

Provides development and financial assistance for renewable energy and green building projects.
Web site

Related: John Adams Innovation Institute
Web site

Related: Massachusettsetts Renewable Energy Trust
Web site

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Gov. Patrick Signs Regional Pact to Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Web site

Massachusetts First State to Limit CO2 Emissions

Web page

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Education & Research

Climate Choices for the Northeast
Web site

Columbia University: Climate Change Information Resources
Web site

Pew Center on Global Climate Change
Web site

Tufts Climate Initiative
Web site

Union of Concerned Scientists: Global Warming
Web site

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Climate Change for Kids
Web site

Regional & National Initiatives

Cities for Climate Protection
Web site

Eastern Climate Registry
Web site

National Association of Clean Air Agencies: Global Warming
Web site

NESCAUM Climate & Energy Team
Web site

Northeast States Center for a Clean Air Future
Web site

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
RGGI section of this page

U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP)
Web site

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Global Warming
Web site

International Initiatives

European Union Climate Change Program
Web site

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Web site

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol)
Web site

Market Initiatives

Environment Canada Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Program
Web site

International Emissions Trading Association
Web site

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