cutting climate-damaging emissions.

• Author: Kwoka, Bethany
• Position: PROGRESS REPORT

THE PROBLEM

From worsening storms flooding our communities to extreme heat harming our health, New England is already feeling the effects of climate change.

Some neighborhoods--low-income, Black, and immigrant communities, in particular --are bearing the brunt of these impacts. Years of racist policies have forced them onto the front lines of the climate crisis, while silencing their voices when it comes to making decisions for their communities.

This is unacceptable. Local governments must step up to lower the emissions that cause climate change and keep all of our communities safe. Only by cutting emissions to zero before 2050--and giving everyone a voice in creating an equitable transition to a green economy--can we avoid the worst consequences of this crisis.

CLF IN ACTION

CLF is working to pass enforceable climate laws in every New England state.

In 2008, we pushed Massachusetts to adopt one of the country's first climate laws--the Global Warming Solutions Act. This law requires the state to lower its polluting emissions to at least 80% below 1990 levels before 2050.

Just last year, we successfully advocated for Maine to pass its own climate law, which will encourage the growth of the state's clean energy economy, while mandating aggressive cuts in emissions.

Vermont has now followed, passing a Global Warming Solutions Act after successful advocacy by CLF and our partners. The law turns the state's climate goals into enforceable targets, charting a course for the Green Mountain State to lower its emissions, while supporting both urban and rural communities.

PROGRESS

The climate crisis has worsened since 2008, so CLF and our partners are pushing Massachusetts to update its Global Warming Solutions Act. Known as the 2050 Roadmap Bill, this update mandates interim emissions cuts by 2030 and 2040 to ensure timely progress. It also gives decision-making power back to historically marginalized communities, allowing people in those neighborhoods the opportunity to weigh in on newly proposed projects. (In January 2020...