Policy Digest: Climate Change & Environment
Let’s get one thing clear: corporations and corporate greed are the primary drivers of climate change and environmental damage. Yet in my discussions with residents in our district, many
were frustrated at how expensive it is to engage in climate change mitigation practices on a household-level. Even with tax credits and subsidies, for many folks, the cost to install solar panels, buy an electric car, or even transition to clover yards is simply too high.
We all want clean air, clean water, and to protect our local ecosystems, but we often don’t know how to help. Below are actions we can all take (and I could take as your State Representative) to fight against and adapt to climate change and protect our environment!
What We Can Do
Join the Volunteer Water Monitoring Program!
Provide Public Comments on Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s projects and programs!
Check out the Lawns to Legumes program offered by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources to make your yard more environmentally friendly!
Tell us your thoughts to help shape policy going forward!
What I Can Do
Though this is far from an exhaustive list, if elected as your next State Representative, I can advocate for policies and programs that do the following:
Increase access to house-hold level climate mitigation methods through tax incentives, increased energy buybacks, and grant programs,
Fund the construction of a green infrastructure, simultaneously reducing our state’s GHG emissions and providing Minnesotans thousands of jobs
Reduce Urban Heat Islands with urban and suburban re-forestation programs,
Halt future forest conversion and expand natural forest management programs,
Defend and increase funding for “Green Fleet” vehicles utilized by government agencies, programs and public transportation
Fund expanded routes and services of public transportation to make them convenient and efficient means of transit
Explore founding a regional Climate Change Accord for states bordering the Great Lakes.
Together, we can ensure that Minnesota not only contributes to mitigating climate change, but will also be the state best positioned to weather its storms.
Please join the discussion!
