On Earth Day, Conservation Voters Ask Lawmakers To Take Climate Action

GUILFORD, CT — The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters is calling on state lawmakers to take climate action.

"Today is Earth Day and more than ever before, Connecticut is at a critical climate crossroads," a news release from the group reads. "Over recent years we’ve made some progress, but we are far from acting quickly enough. If we do not rein in our emissions, global temperatures will shoot past a key danger point."

"The first Earth Day was over half a century ago, in 1970, and despite all of the good public policy and consciousness raising that has gone on in that time, as we stand here today in 2022, our planet is faced with global warming, sea ice melting, stressed water supplies, extreme weather-related events, and the mass extinction of thousands of species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians," said state Sen. Christine Cohen environment committee chair.

"Despite all this, I am still hopeful. I know my children are more sensitive to the condition of our planet than I was at their age," she said. "On this 52nd Earth Day, as we ponder how to invest in our planet, talk to your friends about the environment, join an environmental organization, make a phone call to a public official to support a policy.”

The "good news," the CLCV noted, is "We still have a real chance to do something about it."

"In Connecticut, we have the opportunity to take a leading role in turning things around," the release reads. "Right now, state lawmakers can pass legislation that would reduce carbon emissions by increasing access to electric vehicles, expanding commercial rooftop solar, offering a climate change curriculum in our public schools, and more."

Senate Bill 10 is the 100% Zero-Carbon Energy by 2040 proposal and House Bill 5039 addresses emission standards for medium and heavy-duty vehicles.

"These two bills will help Connecticut become energy independent, improve our air and water quality, create thousands of new jobs and substantively address the alarming and increasing impacts of climate change," per CLCV. "Our state legislators must pass these two critical bills for our environment."

The CT League of Conservation Voters is calling on the General Assembly to send these bills to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk before the May 4 end of the legislative session:

• S.B. 4, The Connecticut Clean Air Act
• S.B. 10, 100% Zero-Carbon Energy by 2040
• S.B. 214, Permit Sales of Electric Vehicles from Manufacturers
• H.B. 5039, Medium & Heavy Duty Vehicle Emission Standards
• H.B. 5285, Environmental Education in Public School Curriculum
• S.B. 176, Shared Clean Energy Facilities

"There are strong environmental champions at the Connecticut General Assembly who are fighting for our environment," the CLCV noted. "We applaud and encourage their leadership on climate legislation, and CTLCV is working hard to support their efforts to make progress this session."