According to the United Nations, 2019 was the second warmest year on record at the end of the warmest decade (2010-2019) ever recorded. Additionally, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas levels were 18% higher from 2015 to 2019 than the previous five years, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s Global Climate 2015-2019 report. Evidence of climate change is affecting every country on every continent, disrupting economies as well as causing changing weather patterns, rising sea levels and more extreme weather events.
The growing concern for climate change — along with the declining cost and improved performance of renewable energy technology — has spurred many states to create clean energy programs and policies. According to the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), there are currently 17 states, along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, that have adopted policies to move to either all-renewable or zero-emission electricity supplies.