Climate change is real, it's happening now, and it poses a significant threat to Maryland's security and prosperity. As one of America’s most vulnerable states to the impacts of climate change, Maryland must act fast and deploy every tool at our disposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as deeply and as quickly as possible. As the federal government's recent "National Climate Assessment" and the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change make clear, we have only a few short years to ramp up real clean energy development and shake our addiction to fossil fuels if we are to maintain a planet that supports human life.
The Sun rightly urged Gov. Larry Hogan to show "bolder ambitions" by supporting the "Clean Energy Jobs Act." We need more than nice-sounding rhetoric if Maryland is to live up to Gov. Hogan's claim that we are a climate leader (“Larry Hogan, reluctant environmentalist,” Jan. 7). The climate crisis we now face demands bold leadership, bipartisan collaboration and genuine ambition to ramp up clean energy (including an end to ratepayer subsidies for trash incineration), cut greenhouse gas emissions dramatically and make our communities more resilient.
Yes, climate change is a global challenge that requires international cooperation. But take it from this former environmental diplomat, the Paris Agreement's success ultimately depends on the actions taken by states and cities that are on the front lines of climate change. Those that act now to advance low-carbon, climate-resilient development will reap the rewards. Those that don’t will miss enormous opportunities and will likely suffer more severe consequences.
Failing to act now can put Marylanders and our economy at much greater risk. The costs of inaction or delayed action will ultimately be far greater than the costs of taking action now. Governor Hogan and the Maryland General Assembly must now step up their ambitions and enact the "Clean Energy Jobs Act" and the "Healthy Climate Initiative" this year. Doing so would be a huge step toward reducing our exposure to climate risks and ensuring that we maintain a livable climate for our kids and grandkids.
Tim Lattimer, Columbia