Climate

Action on climate has to be the centerpiece of policy efforts at every level of government.  We have seen up close in North Carolina how the changing climate affects the most vulnerable among us.  We have watched as Black and Brown Communities in Eastern North Carolina suffer the relentless onslaught of hurricanes, forced to pick up their lives each anew each time they settle in.  We have watched as mountain communities suffer devastating floods and landslides, setting the already fragile rural economies back.  We have watched as hot summer days combine with pollutants in our air and make it hard for our children to breathe. It is time to act.

I have been a relentless critic of Duke Energy as it exerts undue influence over our State’s energy policy and holds our climate goals hostage. Still criticism is not enough, we need solutions. I have pushed for legislation that makes renewable energy development easier and more affordable for consumers.  For instance, I sponsored legislation that would make every school in North Carolina more energy efficient, place solar panels on every school roof, and make all school buses electric. Such investments would pay financial dividends while also reducing our climate impact.

The transportation sector actually bares the highest responsibility for climate change nationwide.  In urban areas, we need to divest from our car-centric approach to transportation and land use and move towards vibrant, more dense communities connected by transit.  Communities where kids can safely bike to school and office workers safely walk to their jobs will reduce our fossil fuel emissions, save money, and make our communities more healthy and happy. Rural residents have to travel to connect with jobs, health care, and other resources. So we need to invest in infrastructure like high speed charging stations and public transportation options that support reducing the carbon emissions generated by rural to urban travel.