Pushing for a plan to fight global warming

Massachusetts can do its part and set the bar high

Environment Massachusetts staff have been at the front of the push for a strong, state-level plan of action on global warming.

Legislation we’ve supported to reduce the state’s global warming emissions 80 percent by 2050 passed in the Massachusetts Senate in March. Now, we’re working to build support for the plan in the House of Representatives.

In California, New Jersey and Hawaii, citizens’ calls for action have produced concrete and visionary plans to cut global warming pollution. By passing strong state-level legislation, Massachusetts could build on the momentum from these states and help to set a high bar for lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to reach as they consider policy solutions to tackle global warming.

“If Massachusetts joined the other states that have taken a strong stance on global warming, we’d be sending a message to the next president and Congress,” said Environment Massachusetts Global Warming Advocate Ben Wright. “With Massachusetts joining these states, one-fifth of the nation’s population and a quarter of our national economy would be pledged to do what it takes on global warming.”

Extreme weather on the way?

The importance of state-level action was highlighted by our December 2007 report, “When it Rains, it Pours.” Our research showed that extreme downpours and snowstorms are up 67 percent in Massachusetts over the last 60 years.

The findings are consistent with the impact of global warming predicted by scientists. While some parts of the country will receive more precipitation as a result of global warming and others will receive less, predictions indicate that when rain and snow does fall, it will more likely come as extreme downpours and heavy snowstorms.

Such downpours could mean more storms of the variety that led to extreme flooding in Peabody in May 2006. The storm, which dumped 8.01 inches of rain on the area, led to millions of dollars worth of damage to property and infrastructure.

Extreme weather could mean more floods of the magnitude that hit northeast Massachusetts in 2006.