To the editor:
I share Ms. Marantz’s frustration on lack of progress on climate initiatives. Massachusetts is a hub of technology, education, and research resources; the public wants action; our Commonwealth should be leading the charge on climate innovation. Yet here we are, bogged down in politics while our planet cooks.
2024 is the hottest year on record. The Midwest is plagued by tornadoes; western U.S. and Canada are on fire; the Southeast is wrecked by worsening hurricanes. Here in the Berkshires, bridges and culverts are damaged with increasing frequency. Today, Berkshire hospitals are rationing care due to a hurricane-induced national supply shortage.
Despite Massachusetts’ decarbonization targets of 33 percent of 1990 levels by 2025, 50 percent by 2030, and net zero by 2050, transportation and building emissions increased from 2021 to 2023.
The failure of the single-party legislature to pass a climate bill was due to intra-party squabbling and special-interest influence over natural-gas infrastructure. Additional flashpoints were a plastic-bag ban, bottle bill expansion, and local control over siting of renewable energy projects.
Our climate and our way of life demand a multipronged solution: decarbonizing housing and buildings; expansion of electric rail, transit, and personal EVs and charging infrastructure; speeding renewable-energy deployment while allowing equitable local input. Along the way, we must help and protect environmental justice communities most affected by dated plants, outdated heat systems, and crumbling infrastructure.
Berkshire County forests and wetlands are the lungs of the Commonwealth: a vast carbon storage. We must get equitable rates for state-owned land to aid in forest and wetlands preservation and climate-mitigation efforts.
I attended the Climate Fair sponsored by the Green Dalton Committee on Sunday, October 13, at the Stationery Factory. They held a forum for public input to help the town develop a Climate Action Plan, to reach the statewide goal of net zero by 2050. Organizations like the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission or consultants can help towns facilitate these forums, discuss strategies, and come up with plans to decarbonize municipal buildings; encourage residents to take advantage of state and federal tax credits; and use rebate programs to convert to energy-efficient appliances. Technical assistance is available to help each town come up with their own Climate Action Plan.
Our state’s inaction on climate hurts us locally. As an independent, I plan to listen to all residents and get us our fair share for these programs and more. Our planet depends on us.
Marybeth Mitts
Lenox
NOTE: Marybeth Mitts is the independent candidate for the 3rd Berkshire District seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
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