Belonging to "The Climate Registry" means that businesses and government agencies in Utah will take part in a standardized, nationwide system to measure greenhouse gasses.
Many scientists say those gasses are trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere and speeding up global warming, which appears likely to trigger, among other things, more drought in the West and many related social and economic impacts.
"This is a positive step in building collaborative and responsive options for addressing the issue of climate change," Governor Huntsman said. "The Climate Registry is Earth-Friendly and Business-Friendly and shows state leadership to address climate change."
Members of The Climate Registry include states led by both Democrats and Republicans, those on both coasts and those that already have set greenhouse gas reduction plans, including California. In addition, states in Mexico and Canada are invited to participate.
"You have to be able to count carbon pollution in order to cut carbon pollution," said Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a press release.
"The Registry gives business and policymakers an essential accounting tool for tracking the success of the many emerging global warming emission reduction initiatives that are blossoming across the country."
