How would you cut greenhouse gases?

Publication Date
Source
Central Valley Business Times
Year Published
2013

Got an idea of how to better cut greenhouse gases? You might have a chance to explore that thanks to a new online tool developed by Next 10, an independent, nonpartisan organization focused on innovation.

Californians will be able to choose their favorite strategies with the interactive online game called the “California Carbon Challenge.”

The California Carbon Challenge is the latest interactive Next 10 simulator. The California Budget Challenge (www.budgetchallenge.org) has allowed more than 340,000 users to create a state budget -- virtually -- by growing or cutting services and raising or reducing taxes. More than 100,000 users have taken Next 10’s newer Federal Budget Challenge (www.federalbudgetchallenge.org).

In 2006, California enacted policies that require the state to reduce its carbon emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Carbon Challenge users are presented with choices to meet this goal, so that they – not lawmakers or government administrators – can make the tough calls about addressing the state’s climate challenges virtually.

“We created the California Carbon Challenge to show what the challenges and opportunities for reducing emissions are, and to also engage and inform people who are trying to better understand what these policies do,” says Next 10 founder Noel Perry.

The new site presents users with more than two-dozen strategies -- from developing transit-oriented housing plans, to pay-as-you-drive insurance, to boosting energy efficiency in buildings. The Challenge keeps track of the choices being made and their impacts via an interactive meter showing tons of carbon reduced and the costs or savings for those choices.

“The Carbon Challenge presents policy choices and their impacts specific to the state of California. However, we hope this resource can be a learning tool for people in other states and countries who are considering policies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions,” says Mr. Perry.