As flooding disasters increase, Duke Energy expands fossil fuels and suppresses solutions
As the science has predicted, worsening storms, heat waves and catastrophic flooding events are increasingly devastating the people of eastern, western, and now central North Carolina. The climate situation is desperate. But 61 scientists are calling on NC Gov. Josh Stein to take action because there still is a small window of hope – and changing the world’s worst polluters is absolutely essential.
Below are excerpts from their April 3 letter to Governor Stein, which sprang from the Town of Carrboro’s climate deception lawsuit against Duke Energy Corporation.
“We, as scientists, have been sounding the alarm for decades that the fossil fuel status quo could become a death knell for people and the planet.”
“The science is clear: fossil fuel emissions are heating the planet at an unprecedented rate and making it increasingly unlivable.”
“Duke Energy’s leaders had a chance to end their role in the five alarm fire we find ourselves in today. But they did not.”
“We urge you to … help the public understand that North Carolina is on the wrong track.”
“With utmost urgency … we call on you to take swift action to stop Duke Energy Corporation … from delaying the necessary and climate saving transition from fossil fuels toward a renewable energy future.”
“We implore you to lead in the transition away from fossil fuels and to the renewable, resilient, equitable, affordable, and sustainable energy future that humanity desperately needs.”
Paul A. Baker, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Division of Earth and Climate Sciences, Duke University
Drew Shindell, PhD
Nicholas Professor of Earth Sciences, Duke University
Dale Evarts, MPA
Former Director, Climate and International Group, US Environmental Protection Agency
Michael E. Mann, PhD
Presidential Distinguished Professor
Director, Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media, University of Pennsylvania
+57 Additional Research Scientists
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Now in its 37th year, NC WARN is building people power in the climate and energy justice movement to persuade or require Charlotte-based Duke Energy – one of the world’s largest climate polluters – to make a quick transition to renewable, affordable power generation and energy efficiency in order to avert climate tipping points and ongoing rate hikes.