Ohio’s climate change policies damaging our future
Climate Change is real and Ohio’s policies toward it are already negatively impacting our state, our way of life, and our future.
The ongoing and expected impacts of climate change in our region were described in a report issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) — the “Ohio River Basin Climate Change Pilot Study Report.”
The report forecasts temperature and precipitation change through 2099. Ohio will have temperature increases of at least one-half degree Fahrenheit per decade between 2011 and 2040 and one full degree per decade between 2041 and 2099. In 2099, the average temperature in Ohio is predicted to be approximately seven degrees warmer than it was in 2011. Southwest Ohio will experience greater rainfall and potential flooding in the spring, but significantly less rainfall in the fall. Changes in the jet stream will increase the variability of weather in our area.
The combination of temperature and precipitation changes, and increased variability, will shorten Ohio’s growing seasons and alter the ability to grow crops.
Even without the USACE the report, Ohio residents recognize a changing climate. Winters are not as cold and snowy. Summers are hotter. Wetter springs are delaying the planting of crops and even backyard gardens. Winter cold waves and summer heatwaves are more intense.
Science has confirmed that human activities, primarily increased carbon and greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere including the burning of fossil fuels, are changing our climate. Slowing the growth and reversing increases in carbon emissions will reduce the adverse effects. Doing nothing will give us the future described in the USACE report.
Unfortunately, policy makers in Ohio are ignoring reality and leading the state in the wrong direction.
Ohio law House Bill 6 subsidizes inefficient coal-burning plants in Ohio and Indiana, and eliminates and reduces renewable and energy efficiency standards.
We need to incentivize industry to transition from fossil fuels and stop subsidizing coal-burning power plants. We should invest in the future by supporting innovation and development of renewable energy such as wind and solar and other technologies. We should also support and increase renewable and energy efficiency standards.
Fossil fuels are being phased out; GM is committed to all-electric vehicles by 2035 and coal-fired power plants are closing. Ohio should align with the future and be a leader on climate change by encouraging innovation and creating new jobs.
Ohio’s existing climate change and other policies are moving the state backward and driving out innovation.
Ohio deserves better.