Climate Change - 21 Who Made a Difference in 2021

Climate Change - 21 Who Made a Difference in 2021

Coastal impacts, rising sea level, and a series of strange storms made 2021 the year of climate change awareness for the average Rhode Islander.

While the discussion of global warming and climate change goes back decades, awareness was transformed with vicious floods in America and Europe and record forest fires in the U.S.

Despite the increased awareness -- and scientists warning of the dangers -- New England governors abandoned the Transportation Climate Initiative which a years earlier was promoted by the governors of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

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The governors — first Ned Lamont (CT), then, Charlie Baker (MA), and, then Dan McKee walked away from the initiative at the end of 2021.

What a difference a year makes. 

In December of 2020, Baker said in glowing support of TCI, “As a Commonwealth, we have an obligation to address climate change head-on and a challenge this great requires action across our region and nation. That’s why I am proud to join Governor Lamont, Governor Raimondo, and Mayor Bowser [DC Mayor] to launch this trailblazing program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while building the clean, resilient transportation system of the future.” 

Baker added, “By partnering with our neighbor states with which we share tightly connected economies and transportation systems, we can make a more significant impact on climate change while creating jobs and growing the economy as a result. Several other Transportation and Climate Initiative states are also committing to this effort today and we look forward to these partners moving ahead with us as we build out this first in the nation program.”

If the environment can't count on northeastern moderate governors, does it have a chance?