Curbing climate change requires move to clean energy

A new climate assessment from scientists at Montana State University, the University of Montana, and others found that Montana’s average annual temperatures have increased on average by 3°C since 1950, and are expected to increase by 4.5°C -6°C by 2050.

According to bozemandailychronicle.com, the assessment states that “these rising temperatures will reduce snowpack, shift historical patterns of streamflow, and likely result in additional stress on Montana’s water supply, particularly during the summer and early fall”.

Climate change threatens our quality of life as Montanans. Less snow means less skiing. Less runoff means low stream flows and degraded fish habitat. Degraded soils will decrease our ability to grown food. The economic impact is expected to be felt in all sectors, from tourism to forestry to agriculture. There are local health costs as well. Coal burned for electricity production in Montana in 2015 produced 11,517 short tons of sulfur dioxide and 17,873 short tons of nitrogen oxide, both of which have damaging effects to both human and ecological health. To avoid these impacts, a transition away from polluting energy sources is needed to prevent the worst effects of climate change.

The options for energy generation in Montana are outdated, and vested corporate interests are working hard to keep them that way. Nowhere is this clearer that in the case of lobbying against net metering and other forms of clean energy.

The ethic of “leave a place better than you found it” is shared by many Montanans who take pride in our great outdoors. The same ethic should be used to act on climate change and accelerate the transition towards a clean energy economy. Doing so will leave Montana’s environment, public health, and long-term job outlook better for our kids and grandkids.