COLUMNS

Opinion/Kiley: Act on Climate is doable, affordable and necessary

Gillian Kiley
Guest columnist
Wind turbines off Block Island.

Gillian Kiley is a Cranston resident, parent and a volunteer with Climate Action Rhode Island.

The Act on Climate bill that awaits Gov. Dan McKee’s signature is a practical bill that addresses residents’ concerns about climate change while providing economic and health benefits to Rhode Islanders.

Ninety-two percent of Rhode Islanders favor limiting greenhouse gas emissions because, right now, Rhode Island is suffering from the impact of those emissions: we have the highest temperature rise of the lower 48 states, and we see increased hospitalizations and heat stress cases every summer. Climate change and sea level rise put Rhode Island’s 400-mile coastline and billions of dollars of property at risk. Warming ocean temperatures cause the species that comprise Rhode Island’s fishery to shift northward, and encourage the growth of toxic bacteria that lead to shellfish bans and beach closures. This affects our way of life and damages the summer tourism industry.

Act on Climate creates a manageable schedule for reducing emissions at the state level over the next 29 years, so we reach net zero by 2050. That goal is scientifically sound and was signed into law in Massachusetts by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker. Here in Rhode Island, emissions can be significantly reduced in the next decade if the state focuses on energy efficiency and the power generation and transportation sectors.  

Key to Act on Climate is that it mandates action by the state. It does not mandate any changes by individuals or businesses. Like your heating system or your car? Great – you’ll keep it! If residents or businesses wish to adopt greener practices, the bill provides a way to support those choices through incentives like rebates or low-cost loans.

The bill presents major economic gains for Rhode Island. Instead of sending $3 billion to $4 billion out of state each year via spending on fossil fuels, Rhode Island can keep its energy dollars local and generate tens of thousands of well-paying jobs that will benefit electricians, builders, solar and wind turbine installers, and others. Currently, wind, solar, and geothermal power and major energy storage prices are dropping quickly, creating opportunities for businesses and greater choice for consumers.

And those two groups — businesses and individuals — are safe from litigation with Act on Climate. The very limited lawsuit provision in the bill allows only Rhode Island residents or entities to sue the Rhode Island state government for noncompliance with meeting state targets. This focus on compliance means the bill is focused on positive results, not penalties.

As Rhode Island reduces emissions through Act on Climate, the state will reap public health benefits. Mitigating climate change will mitigate its many negative health effects, ranging from the greater incidence of insect-borne diseases, to increased precipitation and temperatures associated with toxic algae blooms and heat stress, to the poor air quality that causes the state’s unusually high asthma rates and puts at risk children, the elderly, people with medical conditions, and those who work outside, in fields ranging from construction to landscaping.

The Act on Climate bill was passed by the House and Senate, is supported by a coalition of Rhode Islanders, and enables us to cut our emissions in a way that is transparent and accountable, according to the best practices and principles of our participatory democracy. The bill reflects all that we have learned from years of studies documenting the multifaceted negative impacts of climate change that Rhode Islanders are experiencing right now. We have the know-how and the ability to act on climate now. All we need is Governor McKee’s signature.