COP27 demonstrated once again that in the absence of leadership and accountability, good intentions on climate are no match for the power wielded by the fossil fuel industry.
Nothing the Trump administration does to undermine our climate or the environment surprises me these days. But while the U.S. is dropping out of the Paris Agreement, the rest of the world is clearly committed. So are we here in New England.
UPDATE: Rhode Island has still not corrected how it measures dangerous greenhouse gas emissions. The State continues to dramatically underestimate the amount of methane – an extremely potent greenhouse gas – leaking from its pipes. To ensure Rhode Island makes real progress in cutting its carbon pollution, the legislature should adopt the Act On Climate 2020 bill – which would turn the State’s existing emission reduction goals into mandatory targets and hold the State accountable for achieving them.
Two utilities are looking to pass the costs of new gas projects along to Mainers. But their proposals are inconsistent with Maine’s new climate law.
The Governor supported the concept of mandatory, enforceable, economy-wide reductions in carbon emissions during her re-election campaign. That said, she has not yet supported the only legislation that would make that a reality: the Global Warming Solutions Act (H-5444; S-658). This Act would ensure our state reduces its carbon pollution and combats climate change.
By many measures, our climate outlook here in the United States is grim. Our president denies the settled science of climate change. Our natural monuments are being pillaged for oil and gas. And a coal lobbyist now heads the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal entity charged with protecting our health, not endangering it. Despite these… Continue reading New England Speaks Up at the Global Climate Action Summit
