Letter to the editor: ACt on Climate Now

The Providence Journal - Peter Trafton // #ActOnClimate #RenewableEnergyStandard 

​Thanks for Jeffrey Diehl’s clear description of the work the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank is doing to decrease climate-change impacts in the Ocean State ('Building a more resilient RI,' Commentary, Oct. 4).

Important as these projects are, they only delay global warming’s damage. Atmospheric greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels continue to increase. Unless we change quickly and completely to green energy sources, we will lose our opportunity to preserve a somewhat livable world (per recent sixth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report). The fifth report, in 2014, said state and city efforts, as well as national measures, are necessary to control greenhouse gases. R.I.’s Act on Climate, passed and signed last spring, made zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 our law. However, careful plans, new laws, and regulations are required to get there while ensuring climate justice for all.

Governor McKee supported climate action at the recent Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council meeting, as recommended by many in the RI2030 Community Conversation he sponsored in August (hurrah, thank you!). But our legislature adjourned in July without passing either '100% renewable electricity by 2030' or the 'TEAM Act' which addresses transportation emissions

We need to generate more offshore wind energy. We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our buildings. These efforts will create good jobs and improve public health. Please write and call to ask the governor, your senator and representative to Act on Climate now.

- Peter Trafton, Providence