NORTH CAROLINA SEEKS PARTICIPANTS IN CLIMATE REGISTRY

RALEIGH - The N.C. Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is encouraging air emissions sources to participate in The Climate Registry, a multi-state registry aimed at calculating, tracking and verifying emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.

Companies, institutions and government agencies that join the voluntary registry agree to calculate and report their greenhouse gas emissions. Groups that join the registry before May 1, 2008, will be recognized as "Founding Reporters," DAQ Deputy Director Brock Nicholson said in a letter to potential participants.

"The registry is a vital step towards addressing the potential impacts of climate change in North Carolina," Nicholson said. "Sources that participate in The Climate Registry will help us obtain accurate data on greenhouse gases while preparing for future issues dealing with climate change."

North Carolina is a charter member in The Climate Registry, which includes more than 50 states, Canadian provinces, Mexican states and Native American tribes. The registry is seen as a key part of efforts to cope with climate change or global warming, which refers to changes in temperatures, climate, sea levels and other environmental factors due to emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases.

The Climate Registry provides a voluntary means for businesses, industry and other institutions to verify their greenhouse gas emissions using accurate and consistent methods. Such information will help states track progress in reducing emissions, while encouraging market-based approaches toward coping with climate change.

Participants could benefit by obtaining credit for verified emissions reductions if the federal government requires industries to reduce their greenhouse gases sometime in the future. More information about The Climate Registry can be found at its Web site, www.theclimateregistry.org, or this list of Frequently Asked Questions.

The registry is one of several efforts by the state to address climate change. The Department of Environment & Natural Resources and DAQ have established the N.C. Climate Action Plan Advisory Group (CAPAG) to develop recommendations for coping with climate change in North Carolina while considering likely economic costs and benefits.

The group is coordinating its work with the Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change that the N.C. General Assembly established in 2005. The legislative panel is focusing mainly on broader issues, such as whether the General Assembly should set goals or enact legislation for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in North Carolina.

Scientific measurements have documented a substantial increase in CO2 levels in the air since the mid-1800s. CO2 and other greenhouse gases can trap heat in the atmosphere by reflecting radiated heat back toward the Earth. Even small increases in temperatures could cause major changes, including the melting of polar icecaps, rising sea levels, flooding of coastal lands, changes in ocean currents, and more frequent and stronger hurricanes and other storms. The Division of Air Quality has more information about climate change and other air quality issues at its Web site, www.ncair.org. More information about CAPAG can be found at www.ncclimatechange.us/.

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