Editor’s note: This commentary is by state Rep. Mike Mrowicki, a Democrat who represents Windham-4 (Putney, Dummerston and Westminster) in the Vermont House of Representatives.
Some say Covid is a dress rehearsal for global warming. With consequences on a scale of Covid, that could last generations, if we don’t act.
That’s why the Vermont Legislature is including the Global Warming Solutions Act in its overtime session. And, especially so, since we have the pandemic-level playbook to address climate change in Vermont — the Global Warming Solutions Act. The next question then is, will we ignore the playbook, the way the current president ignored the Obama-Bush pandemic playbook?
Or, will we put our plan in action and create a pandemic response team for the global warming crisis ?
So, what does the bill do?
A short summary of the bill includes converting goals for greenhouse gas emission into requirements; establishing a planning process to achieve those reductions, and establishing a process for enforcing these requirements (with no allowance for penalizing the state monetarily).
The bill also prioritizes cost-effective solutions, minimizing impacts on rural and marginalized communities, sharing benefits broadly, and supporting economic and geographic sectors that face the greatest barriers to emission reduction.
The bill creates a council to do the work on this, but it must come back to the People’s House, the Legislature, for adoption.
Not to act now is just dumping this problem on our kids, and theirs — and generations to come. Even accounting for Covid considerations, I don’t see that as a viable option.
At some point in time, Covid will be manageable. Global warming won’t, unless we join the other states that are acting. Joined together with other states and nations, our efforts matter very much. Four other states in New England already have a GWSA and Vermont would make five. We must do our part and not stand on the sidelines any longer.
The other big reason to act now, is the absence of national leadership on this issue. With that void, states have to provide leadership on global warming. We have to walk the talk, and act. And, put our money where our mouth is. Yes, this will take resources but I can’t see a better investment in the future, and our children’s future. Even — and especially — while we’re still dealing with Covid.
Not to forget, there is much economic opportunity within efforts to reduce carbon. The green jobs created with conservation-efficiency efforts, alternative/renewable energy, and jobs we haven’t yet imagined yet across the economic spectrum can help us get out of the economic hole Covid’s created.
Work on this bill has been ongoing for years and this bill gathers that work in a way that can help make a difference. The bill will be ready soon for the governor’s signature. He can then use the same strategy as with Covid, getting together the best and brightest in an all-hands-on-deck effort, and get cracking.
That’s why I will be voting to act, now.
And, I urge my fellow legislators and the governor to recognize now is the time to use our pandemic playbook for global warming, and put the Global Warming Solutions Act into action.
