rick morris: Climate Change in Vermont is HERE
Friends -
We can’t swim in Lake Champlain because of the algae blooms.
We can’t run or hike or bike because the air is choked with smoke from wildfires.
We saw 4 of the hottest days in global history - all last week, one record breaking day after another.
As I write this, our rivers are swollen and roads are flooding with yet another historic rain storm that rivals Tropical Storm Irene.
Climate change is here in Vermont, and its effects are accelerating.
Not only is climate change eroding our summers, it’s making our winters shorter and wetter. It’s already hurting recreational tourism, logging, and agricultural industries. The poorer you are in Vermont, the more you’re suffering from it.
What are the solutions?
We think of climate solutions in three big buckets:
1) Electricity Generation accounts for just over 2% of emissions. However, building up wind, solar, and battery storage with good union jobs is the key to working on the two biggest sources, transportation and heating. We need a Renewable Energy Standard to commit to 100% renewable energy (without any credit exchange, natural gas or biofuels) by 2030.
2) Transportation accounts for 40% of our emissions. Knocking this number down will take more than just swapping out cars and trucks for EVs. It’s making sure charging infrastructure is accessible, it’s investing in safe infrastructure for walking, biking, and public transportation, and it’s changing the way we build our towns and cities so affordable housing is close to jobs, shops, and services.
3) Heating makes up another 34% of our emissions. Weatherizing our homes and businesses is the first step. Next, we need to install heat pumps powered by renewable electricity. And we need to make sure that the transition is affordable so that no one in Vermont is left out in the cold.
Here’s what you can do today!
First, mark your calendar to join in our Organize With Progressives Webinar next Tuesday, July 25th at 7pm and our Picnic with Progressives on Thursday, August 10th, at 5pm to build a more powerful Progressive Party in VT to fight for climate justice!
Next, take this 5-minute VTrans survey and attend one of two public hearings on Wed July 19 at noon and 6:00 pm (zoom links, use passcode: 985784).
Here’s what you need to know:
VTrans is tasked with 40% of VT’s carbon reduction.
VTrans needs to reach out to the public to unlock $7 million/year from the federal government.
We get to tell VTrans what to do with that money on the survey and in the Wed July 19th hearings!
Will VTrans plans lock us into an ever more car dependent future? Or will VTrans use these funds to make getting around safe, convenient, and accessible for everyone who walks, rolls, and rides?
It’s up to us!
