Meanwhile, climate change

Freak heat waves and crumbling ice sheets in the Arctic and Antarctic are ominous signs of climate change. Meanwhile, models show that climate change could cause crop yields to plummet faster than expected.

It’s never too late to do something about it. Contact us if you’re interested in acting locally.

No time for incrementalism

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released its Sixth Assessment Report, which details how climate impacts are outpacing adaptation efforts.

In an article about the findings, one of the report's authors, Clark University professor Edward Carr, wrote, “Governments have delayed action on climate change for too long, and incremental changes in energy and food production will no longer be enough to create a climate-resilient future.”

With that in mind, consider taking some action here in Massachusetts. People can weigh in on the state’s stretch energy code for newly constructed buildings. Stretch energy codes are locally mandated building codes that require higher energy efficiency than the state’s base building codes. Massachusetts’s 2021 Climate Act orders the Executive branch to produce a local opt-in "net zero" stretch energy code.

Unfortunately, Gov. Baker’s proposal bars municipalities from opting for all-electric in new construction, keeping a place for natural gas.

You can help! Written comments will be accepted until 5 pm on March 9 at stretchcode@mass.gov with the subject line “Stretch Code Straw Proposal Comments.”