Maryland Scientists Urge State Legislators to Enact 60% Emissions Cuts and Full Building Electrification

Today, six scientists from some of Maryland's more prestigious institutions senta letter to House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President William Ferguson expressing "grave concerns regarding the current climate crisis and the need for state action to mitigate its worst impacts." Specifically, they urge Maryland legislators to focus on "electrifying new and existing buildings, expanding zero-emission vehicle use, and committing to a 60% reduction of emissions by 2030."

VIEW THE LETTER IN FULL HERE

The scientists make clear that the global climate crisis continues to escalate, and Maryland is especially vulnerable to its impacts. But their letter also emphasizes that Maryland is well positioned to meet the challenge and emerge as a climate leader by taking bold action in 2022.

Victoria Venable, Maryland Director for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, stated, "We thank these leading scientists for identifying clear, achievable goals for legislative action in 2022. Maryland has fallen behind in climate change policies and we are seeing the consequences on our doorstep, especially in disadvantaged communities. The time for climate justice is now."

In their letter, the scientists point out that in 2021 alone, "Maryland experienced five separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, including hurricanes and tropical storms. Maryland's 3,000 miles of tidal shoreline are vulnerable to sea level rise and retreating shores, threatening habitat, agriculture, and communities. Tidal waters are flooding the streets of Annapolis, just blocks from the State House, more and more frequently."

The scientists therefore assert: "We need to do more and we need to do it now."

The letter is signed by:

• Donald Boesch, Professor and President Emeritus, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
• Eric A. Davidson, Professor, Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
• Belay Demoz, Member, Scientific and Technical Working Group, Maryland Commission on Climate Change; Director, Joint Center for Earth Systems Technologies, University of Maryland Baltimore County
• Darryn Waugh, Professor, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University
• Thomas Haine, Professor, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University

The letter concludes: "As one of the most affluent and best-educated states in the most powerful nation on Earth, Maryland has an obligation to lead. As a leader in Maryland, please take bold action."