Hannah McGrath: Concerned about NH reliance on voluntary measures to address climate crisis

To The Daily Sun,

Re: “NH is Drafting a New Climate Plan. But it's on track to remain an outlier in New England.” (NHPR, Dec. 12):

While I am encouraged that New Hampshire is taking steps to address the climate crisis, I am concerned about its reliance on voluntary measures instead of legislative mandates for reducing emissions.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (ipcc.ch/2022/04/04/ipcc) warns us that emissions must stop rising before 2025 and be reduced by 43% by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Clear and enforceable emissions reduction goals are critical to instill urgency to meet these global targets.

New Hampshire's emission reduction goals from 2009 were never enacted into law. Now, the state is focusing on voluntary collaboration with industries and public input rather than implementing binding mandates for meaningful reductions.

While community involvement is valuable, it cannot replace the accountability that legal requirements provide.

I urge readers to advocate for binding emissions reduction targets in the New Climate Plan before the end of December. They should contact their local legislators and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to promote a sustainable future for our state.

Hannah McGrath

Bridgewater