Leading scientist urges NC Gov. Josh Stein to treat climate change as emergency, “use all the levers” to get Duke Energy off fossil fuels
Today NC WARN released an 18-minute documentary that goes right at one of the world’s worst climate polluters and features a globally prominent scientist insisting that Duke Energy’s massive expansion of fossil fuels and suppression of climate solutions absolutely must be stopped.
Dr. Drew Shindell of Duke University insists in the film, “It is really an emergency that we change course as quickly as possible, which is what you do in an emergency … you do whatever it takes. We really need to use all the levers we can to push Duke Energy away from this fossil fuel path.”
This statement amplifies the April letter to Stein, which Shindell co-authored and which was signed by 60 scientists, that presses the governor to use his authority to stop the climate-wrecking actions of Duke Energy leaders.
NC WARN commissioned the documentary that was produced by award-winning Vittles Films of Durham. After a few preview screenings, it’s being released today and widely circulated through on-line streaming and other sources including the Carrboro Film Fest on Sunday, January 25th.
Tragically, global emissions of carbon dioxide and methane continue to rise, and the rich countries and corporations that drove the planet into the climate crisis keep failing their duty to humanity. That’s despite the key takeaway from last month’s COP summit in Brazil: global emissions must be cut in half by 2035 to avoid irreversible climate chaos.
Failure at the national level amplifies the need for state governors to directly challenge and curb the reckless actions of top polluters such as Duke Energy. The corporate giant projects a whopping expansion of 12,000 MW of gas-fired generation and 16,000 MW of experimental nuclear reactors – gambling billions of public dollars. Both numbers appear to dwarf similar proposed expansions by other US utilities.
NC Senator Graig Meyer confirms in the film that the state can indeed change the behavior of a corporate monopoly with the appropriate political will. We appreciate him, Shindell and experts from Appalachian Voices and the Energy Policy Institute for speaking out in the documentary.
NC WARN has increasingly criticized Gov. Stein for allowing Duke and others to continue deceiving the public by acting like our state is reducing climate-wrecking emissions. We urgently need him to tell the truth – that Duke Energy is a key driver of the global climate crisis – and use his powerful voice and office to stop Duke Energy from blocking our state’s shift to climate solutions that also protect our power bills. Key examples include local solar paired with batteries and energy-saving programs.
NC WARN urges all news outlets to help cut through the years of deception. We all must heed the climate scientists’ warnings and reject Duke Energy’s bogus pledge to become carbon “neutral” in 2050 – far too late to matter. Communities across this state are being devastated – and the crisis is accelerating. Only by being honest about our plight can this state change the giant climate polluter, which will have positive impacts around the world.
Our hard-hitting video ads and grassroots work are continuing to inspire thousands of North Carolinians to press Stein to do what Dr. Shindell calls for: push Duke Energy to change course. Some 250 businesses and nonprofits have also joined the call.
The Governor made a couple of small steps by criticizing Duke Energy’s latest plans to expand fossil fuels, suppress solar and wind power and raise rates. But he must do a whole lot more – and soon.
The climate situation is desperate – but not yet hopeless! This is why we’ll keep building statewide pressure for the Governor to use his powerful voice and authority and to inspire other leaders to do the same.
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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.