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Climate Change, Energy and Air Quality
Success Story
Mt Washington by Bruce Hill
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a successful multi-state program to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) from power plants that also works to foster energy efficiency and clean energy programs.  With RGGI in place, 2009 carbon dioxide emissions for RGGI states were 34% below the expected target level of 188 million tons and auction revenues, as of Dec. 2010, raised more than $778 million for state reinvestments, including $390 million dedicated to energy efficiency. Investments in energy efficiency lead to less energy use and significant savings to consumers.  Read More>>

What’s At Stake

Clean outdoor air and the health of the forests and waters of the Appalachian region are at risk from air pollution, including man-made ozone, particles, carbon dioxide, and toxins like mercury. Some air pollution can seriously affect our health, causing and contributing to conditions such as labored breathing, asthma attacks, and heart attacks. Those outdoors exercising and children are at higher risk when ozone and particle levels are high because of the greater volume of air taken into their lungs which increases pollutant exposure. Even mountainous regions, where one may expect clear skies and clean air, can experience unhealthy smog or see skylines of haze pollution. Carbon pollution dumped into the air, and contributing to climate change, is also a serious threat to the character and ecology of the landscapes that we work to preserve and protect. 


What are we doing

  • Clean Air Policies: AMC promotes strong clean air standards through the Clean Air Act, Wilderness protections, and efforts to reduce carbon pollution to protect hiker health and the outdoors experience.
  • Wind Power: AMC is playing a leading role in promoting appropriate siting policies for wind power projects in our region.
  • Air Quality and Climate Research: AMC conducts air quality and climate research in the Northeast mountains and shares its scientific findings to raise public awareness and encourage sensible environmental policies that will mean cleaner air and resource protection for all of us to enjoy.
  • Natural Gas Development: AMC works with partners at the local, state and federal level to ensure that environmental and recreational resource interests are represented as natural gas development expands in the Appalachian Region.
  • Reducing AMC’s Carbon Footprint: AMC has had a longstanding commitment to using its huts and lodges as models for sustainable operations and environmental stewardship. An important component of this work includes urging our members and guests to conserve energy at home to protect the air quality and outdoor environments we love to enjoy. 
Hiker Haze



Read more about AMC's Energy Policies including issues such as wind power siting, energy efficiency, wood biomass, natural gas development and more. The policies will be revised as the relevant science, technologies, opportunities and challenges evolve.





Get Involved

  • Join Mountain Watch, our citizen science program, to help us monitor environmental impacts, such as documenting alpine and forest plant flowering in the mountains
  • Enter AMC's Greener Homes Cleaner Mountains Contest. Reduce energy use at home to help improve air quality and views in the mountains. 
  • Become a Trained Presenter. AMC believes in an education-to-action approach that defines the concepts of climate change, illustrates the real impacts on AMC’s region, and spurs action starting with home energy conservation and spreading the word. Training webinars cover concepts and resources and include different presentations are provided for grades elementary, middle/high school, and for adults. Please contact Faith Salter. Learn more about what you can do>>