Thread by @JesseJenkins

In 2008, #Massachusetts stepped into a global #climate leadership position w/passage of the landmark Global Warming Solutions Act. This year, it has the opportunity to renew that leadership and rejoin the climate vanguard by passing H.3983, the "2050 Roadmap Act." A thread... 1/

Today I delivered a letter to @RepMichlewitz @SpeakerDeLeo & Sen Prez @karenspilka from 37 academic scholars & experts on #energy & #climatechange calling attention to the 2050 Roadmap Bill, which would put #Massachusetts on a path to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 2/

The #Massachussetts 2050 Roadmap Bill, sponsored by @JoanMeschino (👏) + supported by 59 legislators, provides a timely update to the regulatory framework established by the Global Warming Solutions Act and a critical opportunity to renew the commonwealth’s climate leadership. 3/

Here's the full letter, wherein we write "to confirm that the scientific underpinning for [the 2050 Roadmap Bill] is sound, technologies exist to put us on a path to achieving the goals, and there are viable policy pathways for achieving the targets." bit.ly/MassClimateLet… 4/

Signatories include professors and academic researchers at MIT, Harvard, Tufts, Boston University and all four University of Massachusetts campuses, as well as several Massachusetts "ex pats" such as myself @east_winds @leahstokes @mmildenberger & @GernotWagner. 5/

Other signatories on Twitter include: @julianagyeman @wil_burns @varpetareg @EmilDimanchev @SFletcherH2O @PeterFoxPenner @apgoldst @JarrodNHayes @d_hsu_work @DKeithClimate @NoelleSelin @StacyDVanDeveer & @MIT_Fusion (Dennis Whyte) 5.5/

As academics studying climate change, its impacts, and its solutions, we were compelled to write this letter because we see in our own work every day both the urgent threat posed by climate change and the vast range of technology and policy solutions available to address it. 6/

As the Fourth National Climate Assessment (nca2018.globalchange.gov) made abundantly clear, “the impacts of climate change are already being felt in communities across the country.” Climate change is not some distant threat. Its impacts are HERE and NOW. 7/

The actions we take today will determine how severe those climate impacts become over time and how well prepared our communities are to bear them. We also recognize the key role that states can play in demonstrating viable paths to a prosperous, carbon-neutral economy. 8/

The impacts we are already experiencing are the result of just 1°C (1.8°F) of average global warming. According to the IPCC (ipcc.ch/sr15/), limiting warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F) requires cutting worldwide GHGs by ~1/2 by 2030 & reach net zero between 2045 & 2060... 9/

...Pathways to limit warming to 2°C (3.6°F) entail greater climate damages and risk and must still reach net zero emissions globally between 2060 and 2080. 9.5/

In either case, rich countries (eg the US) have technical & financial means to cut emissions faster than the global average (and arguably an ethical obligation to do so given historic contribution to cumulative emissions). That means getting to net zero by 2050 at the latest. 10/

A handful of pioneering jurisdictions recently stepped up their ambition to reflect this scientific imperative and enacted legislative requirements to reach net zero emissions... 11/

...This #climate vanguard includes: the United Kingdom (gov.uk/government/new…); France (reuters.com/article/us-fra…); and the states of Hawaii (qz.com/1273362/hawaii…); and New York (vox.com/energy-and-env…). 11.5/

.@RepMichlewitz, @SpeakerDeLeo, @karenspilka, passing the 2050 Roadmap Bill this session would place #Massachusetts solidly in this vanguard of international climate leaders. That's exactly where Massachusetts belongs. 12/

What does the #Massachusetts 2050 Roadmap Bill do? I'll let the bill's lead sponsor Rep. @JoanMeschino explain, as she does here in @CommonWealthMag commonwealthmagazine.org/environment/a-… 13/

@JoanMeschino @CommonWealthMag In short, #Massachusetts 2050 Roadmap Bill updates the commonwealth's greenhouse gas emissions goals to require cutting emissions at least 50% below 1990 levels by 2030 and updates the 2050 climate target to net zero emissions (from 80% below 1990 level set in GWSA in 2008). 14/

The legislation also lays out the timeline and process for a comprehensive roadmap and planning process to chart a path to these emissions goals and clarifies regulatory authority and scope for the commonwealth’s executive agencies.15/

The Bill also clarifies Executive has reg. authority to use "market based compliance mechanisms" to reach GHG goals, allowing for expansion of carbon pricing (eg Transportation Climate Initiative for motor fuels along with strengthening RGGI). Sure to make #EconTwitter smile! 16/

The Bill also requires the Executive to design policies "to ensure that [Mass.] achieves its required emissions reductions equitably & in a manner that protects, and where feasible improves the condition of low & moderate income persons & environmental justice populations" 17/

Finally, the bill includes provisions to ensure that #Massachusetts updates its climate roadmap and plans every 3 years to ensure the Commonwealth doesnt set it and forget it, but rather starts an ongoing focused process to plan, act, adapt on our path to net zero emissions. /18

In short, this is a good bill, and timely. It sets in place a flexible framework for developing a comprehensive, statewide plan to cut emissions 50% by 2030 and get to a net zero emissions by 2050. Here's the full text (short & sweet at 6 pages) malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H398… 19/

We note that @MassGovernor Baker has prioritized climate change policy and has already begun a study to outline a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emission by *at least* 80% by 2050, including at least one pathway to reach net zero emissions (thanks @ClimateKatie @EEASecretary!) 20/

Passing the Roadmap Act this session will therefore provide the Executive with critical legislative guidance and clarity at an opportune moment. This is the perfect session to get this passed @SpeakerDeLeo 20.5/

Evidence of #climate disruption is before us on a weekly basis, yet U.S. & global carbon emissions are still increasing. #Massachusetts has an opportunity to forge a different path and lead the nation & world in building a prosperous, carbon-neutral economy. Please take it.
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