The Illinois Climate Action Network is a coalition led by 12 diverse groups that has embarked on a multi-year effort to tackle global warming through legislative measures and citizen involvement throughout the state.

Scientists agree that climate change is caused by the release of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases from human activity, and, if left unchecked, the rising temperatures and increased storm activity it brings will impact the world's water supplies and agriculture, wildlife habitat and human health. In Illinois, the Union of Concern Scientists has projected an increase in droughts, a loss of wetlands, a potential increase in ground-level ozone, heavier flooding and increased risk of waterborne infectious diseases.

In its first salvo in the war on climate change, Illinois CAN has spearheaded the introduction of an omnibus global warming bill in the Illinois House and Senate. SB 2220, sponsored by State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), and HB 5254, sponsored by State Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-Des Plaines) contain initiatives that build on the recommendations of Illinois' Climate Change Advisory Group formed in 2006. The bill is the first step towards the broader goal of reducing Illinois' greenhouse gas pollution to 1990 emission levels by 2020 set by Illinois and five other states in the historic Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord in November 2007. The most significant components of the proposed global warming legislation institute a cap-and-trade program for power generators and large industrial facilities and raise emission standards for cars.

The Illinois Clean Cars Act (H.B. 3424/S.B. 2238) follows the model of California's Pavley Law, which sets standards requiring automakers to increasingly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by cars and light trucks on a fleet-wide average basis between 2009 and 2020. Thirteen states representing 39% of the U.S. automobile market have already adopted clean car standards to address their global warming output, which means automakers are building cleaner cars for them and dirtier vehicles for our state and others. Clean car standards in Illinois would represent an economic tipping point for manufacturers who would decide it's in their best interests to build cleaner cars for the entire nation.

Illinois' agreement to collaborate with other Midwestern states on reducing greenhouse gases together with the omnibus global warming bill being considered by legislators in Springfield indicates the time has finally arrived for meaningful action on climate change. Illinois CAN make it happen.