While Saturday Sept. 11, brought us face to face with the failed policies that led us into us into another expensive quagmire, in Afghanistan, Iraq., the looming challenge of climate change is just around the corner.
Hundreds of scientists of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have been warning us over and over, that we are rapidly heading towards a dead-end for living beings on this planet, with less than 10 years to cut greenhouse gas in half, and 30 years to reach net zero.
Just as the window is closing, Massachusetts takes the lead.
The Legislature wrote, and passed, (almost unanimously) a new visionary, long-term law, over two governor’s vetoes. Known as the “Next Generation Pathway to Net Zero by 2050,” it is now integrated into Chapter 9 of Massachusetts Law. We are the first state in the nation to put a plan into law. Based on a process, using a series of five year plans starting in 2020, we will be guided by scientific measurement of green house gas emissions.
By law, we must now reach 50% reduction in green house gas by 2030, a 75% reduction by 2040, and we must be at net zero greenhouse gas by 2050.
In concrete terms, what does that mean? And, how can we, here at the grassroots, mobilize to make this great challenge successful?
The main author of this visionary law is Rep. Joan Meschino. Our own Representative, Paul Mark invited her to join him, and they will be speaking at the Energy Park in Greenfield on Saturday, Sept. 18, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Paul Mark is now in a critical position, as the House vice-chair of the Technology, Utilities and Energy Committee.
Sponsored by the Franklin County Interfaith Council and All Souls Unitarian Universalists who see the protection of our planet as a sacred trust and moral imperative, legislators have been invited to outline for us the Pathway that Massachusetts can now anticipate. It is bold, visionary, and could become a model for our nation. Just knowing we are not alone helps us lift our spirits, because reaching the first goal, a 50% reduction by 2030, in only eight years, will take all of us working together. in ways we are just beginning to define.
Join us at the Energy Park on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Pam Kelly lives in Greenfield.