Sen. Marc Pacheco

Why are you working this session to tackle global warming? 

I truly believe that global warming is the most pressing and complex issue of our time. It directly affects everything, from our air quality, sea level, temperature, spread of disease, agriculture, to homeland security and the economy. To ensure that there is a tomorrow for future generations, we must develop and adopt comprehensive solutions today.

You recently were trained to be a presenter through Al Gore’s Climate Project. What did you learn there?

It was a powerful experience. I always believed in global climate change, but it was not until I spent several days training and listening to top scientists that I began to realize how complex, real and immediate this problem is. It became crystal clear to me this problem was not going to go away without significant changes. I was also very inspired to do something here in Massachusetts, which is why I pushed to form the new Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change.

What are some of the solutions to global warming that you like to see put into place?

I would like to see the passage of The Global Warming Solutions Act (S534), which I sponsored. It is modeled after the California carbon cap law and sets tough greenhouse gas emission limits and goals for the entire Commonwealth. The legislation calls for a 20 percent reduction of greenhouse gases below 1990 levels by the year 2020 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Massachusetts should be a leader, not a follower on this issue. 

What are your plans for the session?

My plans for the session are not only address climate change and raise public awareness, but also to investigate new technologies and methods to reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels. I want to working together as committee and with the administration to help make the Commonwealth an innovative leader on the issues and solutions concerning climate change. I want to see change, not rhetoric. 

What are the most important things people can do to help solve global warming?

There are many common sense changes the people can make to help offset the impacts of global climate change. Individuals can drive more fuel-efficient vehicles, buy energy-efficient home appliances and replace regular light bulbs with energy saving compact florescent bulbs. Also, people should let their local, state, and federally elected officials that they care and are concerned about global warming in Massachusetts.
 
What is the role of state government in tackling the problem?

State government has an important role in solving this problem. It can lead by example by using its purchasing power to buy fuel efficient state vehicles and establishing green procurement policies; it can change environmental state regulations to be more efficient; it can foster green technologies and industries in the state. Most importantly, it can set strong legislative standards.