Connecticut Governor Joins Fight To Reduce Global Climate Change

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- Connecticut is moving forward with big changes to reduce carbon emissions in the state.

On Thursday, Governor Dan Malloy announced the state would enter into a global compact between cities dedicated to limiting the the increase in yearly climate change worldwide.

Participating cities under the compact have agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95 percent below 1990 levels, according to a statement released by Malloy. Connecticut will aim to reduce emissions by 81 percent economy-wide by 2050, based on levels from 2001.

Malloy's decision comes during the same week as the United Nations Climate Change Conference, held in Paris.

According to Malloy, Connecticut is already buying ten times more renewable energy than they were four years ago, WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau reported.

However, Malloy also said that too much oil is still being used to generate electricity.

For Connecticut, the biggest polluters are Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, according to Malloy. 

"It's because we're meeting standards along the coast that have not been required for those inland states," Malloy said.

Malloy has legally petitioned these states with hopes of forcing them to meet higher standards. Malloy said everyone can help by using energy-efficient light bulbs and sealing their home windows to conserve energy.