Kennedy Leads Bill Passage Addressing Climate Change Impact

From CT General Assembly: State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr. (D-Branford) led passage early this morning of critical climate change legislation that will strengthen Connecticut’s historical commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change.

“Connecticut has a long, proud history of bold leadership on climate change, and we see the devastating effects of more severe storms and more frequent flooding in Connecticut,” said Sen. Kennedy. “This bill will help to better equip our state and coastal municipalities in planning for and mitigating the impacts of sea level rise by requiring current sea level rise models to be incorporated into our state’s plans of conservation and development, our Civil Preparedness Plan, and hazard mitigation plans.”

Senate Bill 7, “An Act Concerning Climate Change Planning and Resiliency,” addresses the impacts of climate change by planning for sea level rise in coastal communities, integrating climate goals into the state’s energy planning, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The impacts of climate change are being felt in communities across the United States, including here in New England. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the North Atlantic coast has seen an increase in sea level rise approximately 3–4 times higher than the global average.

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